Talking Points

Reported by

A New High

Estimated net flows into open-end and exchange-traded sustainable funds totaled $20.6 billion last year—four times the previous annual record set in 2018.

Source: Morningstar Direct

A Global Perspective

What institutional investors here and abroad say about applying environmental, social and governance factors to their equity and fixed-income strategies.

2018
2019
It’s equally important for both
42%
45%
It’s more important for equities
32%
24%
It’s more important for fixed income
2%
2%
It isn’t important for either
25%
28%

Source: RBC Global Asset Management, 2019 Responsible Investment Survey

Poverty Status, by Retirement Income Source

Defined benefit (DB) pensions have a much greater poverty-reducing effect than do defined contribution (DC) plans. This may be partly because recipients of DC income tend to already have a much higher net worth than do recipients of DB income.

*Households with total income below the federal poverty level are classified as "poor." Households with total income exceeding 200% of the federal poverty level are classified as "not poor."

Source: National Institute on Retirement Security


Role of Race

Race has a very strong role to play in determining retirement outcome. Whites have consistently higher retirement income than do blacks or Hispanics.

Median Total Annual Retirement Income, by Race

White retiree
$23,292
Black retiree
$16,863
Hispanic retiree
$13,560

Those With Social Security as Their Only Retirement Income

White retiree
Black retiree
Hispanic retiree

Median Annual Retirement Income for Those Receiving Only Social Security

White retiree
$14,760
Black retiree
$13,320
Hispanic retiree
$12,720

Source: National Institute on Retirement Security