Poll: Less than half know how much they will need; most don’t know how to calculate
June 19, 2014- INDIANAPOLIS–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Online tools prevail as the top choice for retirement plan participants who calculate retirement income needs according to a recent survey conducted by American United Life Insurance Company® (AUL), a OneAmerica company. More than half (52 percent) of survey responders who have calculated how much they need to save for retirement reported using an online tool. This method ranked above other options, which included using a worksheet (25 percent), making calculations on their own (24 percent) and working with a financial professional (9 percent).
Greater than half of participants who have not calculated retirement income needs, cited not knowing how as the reason. The remainder cited they were nervous to find out how much they will need (23 percent), don’t know where to go (20 percent), and don’t have time (16 percent).
“Calculating future income can be an easy first step to planning for retirement,” said Marsha Whitehead, vice president of marketing for retirement services and employee benefits. “A simple online calculator can motivate a person to get started and keep their retirement planning going.”
When asked how they preferred receiving financial education information, 56 percent of participants indicated online.
“As a result of these findings, we’ve placed online educational tools and resources more prominently on OneAmerica.com and have made other enhancements to the site,” said Whitehead. “Our One Day is Today™ platform provides calculators, tutorials, checklists and videos to help individuals prepare for retirement.”
Retirement Confidence?
Of those who calculated their retirement income, more than half (55 percent) said they were either confident or very confident in their ability to maintain their current lifestyle in retirement. Of participants who had not calculated their income, only 23 percent reported the same level of confidence.
“An online calculator can provide the extra nudge someone might need to learn more, save more and take other steps to prepare for retirement regardless of their age or income level.” said Whitehead.
The companies of OneAmerica surveyed visitors to its retirement plan participant website to better understand behaviors and resources that might help their customers prepare for retirement. 7,545 participants responded to the survey. Findings from the survey will be summarized in a white paper to plan sponsors with the companies of OneAmerica.
About the OneAmerica Participant Survey
This summary infographic provides survey methodology and additional insights. Visit the OneAmerica Newsroom or follow @OneAmericaNews on Twitter for more information.
About OneAmerica
OneAmerica Financial Partners, Inc. (www.oneamerica.com), headquartered in Indianapolis, Ind., has companies that can trace their solid foundations back more than 135 years in the insurance and financial services marketplace.
OneAmerica’s nationwide network of companies offers a variety of products to serve the financial needs of their policyholders and other clients. These products include retirement plan products and services; individual life insurance, annuities, long-term care solutions and employee benefit plan products. The goal of OneAmerica is to blend the strengths of each company to achieve greater collective results.
The products of the OneAmerica companies are distributed through a network of employees, agents, brokers and other distribution sources that are committed to increasing value to our policyholders by helping them prepare to meet their financial goals.
