2009 Risks and Process of Retirement Survey Report of Findings

March 2010

Prepared by
Mathew Greenwald & Associates, Inc.
Employee Benefit Research Institute

Description

This study summarizes findings from a 2009 telephone survey of 804 Americans aged 45 to 80, conducted for the Society of Actuaries by Mathew Greenwald & Associates and the Employee Benefit Research Institute. The survey explored how people nearing or in retirement perceive and manage financial risks, particularly in light of the economic downturn of the late 2000s.

It compares current attitudes and behaviors with results from four earlier surveys (2001, 2003, 2005, 2007), focusing on awareness of retirement risks, financial planning habits, and the process of transitioning out of the workforce. While the methods were consistent with prior studies, the 2009 sample showed slightly higher reported incomes among pre-retirees, though this didn’t materially affect the findings.

The report includes comparisons between retirees and pre-retirees, demographic breakdowns, and trend analyses across survey years, offering insights into how Americans’ retirement planning perspectives evolved over a turbulent decade.

Materials

2009 Retirement Risk Survey
Key Findings and Issues–The Impact of the Economy on Retirement Risks
Key Findings and Issues–Understanding and Managing the Risks of Retirement
Key Findings and Issues–The Impact of Retirement Risk on Women
Key Findings and Issues–Process of Planning and Personal Risk Management

Questions or Comments?

If you have comments or questions, please send an email to research@soa.org