RISMEDIA, January 25, 2011—This month’s study, released by Bankrate Inc., shows that Americans are nearly split when it comes to gauging their financial security. Despite the gradual economic rebound, many Americans still feel less comfortable with their finances now than they did 12 months ago. The poll was conducted by Princeton Survey Research Associates International.
Among the findings:
-Twice as many people feel less comfortable about their savings level than those who feel better: 38% versus 19%;
-Only 10% of people between ages 50 and 64 feel more secure about their job while 29% feel less secure;
-More than three quarters, or 78%, of Americans spent either less than or nearly equal to what they expected to spend during their holiday shopping;
-Thirty-one percent of workers with incomes less than $30,000 feel least comfortable with their debt loads. Those who earn more than $75,000 are not far behind, with 17% feeling less comfortable with their debt;
-Age significantly impacts overall financial security, with one of every three respondents over 50 believing they are worse off, while only 15% of people younger than 30 feel that way.
Bankrate’s Financial Security Index results are based on telephone interviews with a nationally representative sample of 1,018 adults, ages 18 and older. The interviews were conducted from Jan. 6 to Jan. 9, 2011, by Princeton Survey Research Associates International. Statistical results are weighted to correct known demographic discrepancies. The margin of sampling error for the complete set of weighted data is +/- 3.6 percentage points.
For more information, visit www.bankrate.com.
