31 Million American Workers Are Saving More for Retirement

NEW YORK, Aug. 16, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- More American workers have increased their retirement savings this year, according to a new study by Bankrate.com (NYSE: RATE). Twenty-one percent of working Americans state they are saving more for retirement than they were last year, the highest level reported in the past five years.  In addition, fewer people are opting out of saving for retirement altogether.  Just 5% didn't contribute to retirement savings this year or last, a new low for the study. To view the survey results go to:

http://www.bankrate.com/finance/consumer-index/financial-security-charts-0816.aspx

"More working Americans are saving more for retirement and fewer aren't saving at all. Both readings are indicative of an improving economy, where people are earning more and saving more," said Bankrate.com Chief Financial Analyst Greg McBride, CFA.

It seems as though Americans are finally seeing the importance in planning for retirement.  Back in 2011, those saving less outnumbered those saving more by nearly 2-to-1, (29% vs. 15%). Having steadily improved, those saving more than last year (21%) outnumber those saving less (17%).

Those saving more were led by Generation X, followed by younger Millennials (age 18-25).  Americans who were saving less were those in the Silent Generation (age 71+) followed by younger Baby Boomers (age 52-61).

"Younger Baby Boomers saving less for retirement than last year is troubling because they're more likely in their peak earning years and should be utilizing higher catch-up contribution limits to get on track for retirement. Those in the Silent Generation that are saving less may be a function of earning less as they phase into retirement."

• The Bankrate Financial Security Index jumped to the 2^nd-highest level of the year.
• Noted improvement in job security, comfort level with debt, net worth, and overall financial situation were main factors.
• Americans reporting higher net worth outnumber those reporting lower net worth by more than 2-to-1, while those feeling more secure in their jobs outnumber those feeling less secure by nearly 2-to-1.

Princeton Survey Research Associates International obtained telephone interviews with a nationally representative sample of 1,000 adults living in the continental United States. Interviews were conducted by landline (500) and cell phone (500, including 273 without a landline phone) in English and Spanish by Princeton Data Source from August 4-7, 2016. Statistical results are weighted to correct known demographic discrepancies. The margin of sampling error for the complete set of weighted data is plus or minus 3.9 percentage points.

About Bankrate.com

Bankrate.com provides consumers with the expert advice and tools needed to succeed throughout life's financial journey. For over two decades, Bankrate.com has been a leading personal finance destination.  The company offers award-winning editorial content, competitive rate information, and calculators and tools across multiple categories, including mortgages, deposits, credit cards, retirement, automobile loans, and taxes. Bankrate aggregates rate information from over 4,800 institutions on more than 300 financial products. With coverage of over 600 local markets, Bankrate generates rate tables in all 50 U.S. states. Bankrate develops and provides web services to more than 100 cobranded websites with online partners, including some of the most trusted and frequently visited personal finance sites on the internet, such as Comcast, Yahoo!, CNBC and Bloomberg.  In addition, Bankrate licenses editorial content to more than 500 newspapers on a daily basis including The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, The New York Times and The Los Angeles Times.

For more information:
Katie Yates
VP, Corporate Communications
[email protected]
(917) 368-8677

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SOURCE Bankrate.com

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