Research Center

Consumer Finanace

• The Critical Need for Financial Protection: Landmark Research on the Economic Value of Employee Benefits

  Employee benefits play a vital role in providing a financial safety net, especially group disability benefits. Access to group disability benefits saves as many as 575,000 families a year from slipping into poverty, a direct savings of up to $4.5 billion a year to our government and its taxpayers because decreased reliance on government assistance programs. For each dollar in employer premium, the return on investment in economic welfare value is estimated to range from 20 times to 170 times. November 11, 2011. Unum

• Today's Workers Finding it Harder to Achieve American Dream

  Sixty-one percent of workers believe the American Dream – holding a good job, owning a home, living in a secure community and sending their children to a good school – will be harder to achieve than it was for their parents’ generation. This marks the highest percentage since the start of the recession in 2008. June 14, 2011.Principal

• HELP WANTED: Investors Who Use an Advisor Report Saving More than their Peers

  More than half of the 14,000 INGcompareMe.com users who completed the "financial advisor" question report that they have spent at least some time working with a financial advisor, and nearly a third (31%) say that they have spent some or a lot of time seeking that support. 2010. ING

• Fifth Annual Study of Employee Benefits: Today & Beyond

  For the fifth consecutive year, Prudential has surveyed a representative cross-section of benefits plan sponsors, benefits plan participants, and brokers across the United States. 2010. Prudential

• Northern Trust Study Charts How to Make Defined Contribution Plans Work for U.S. Employees.

  Large U.S. retirement plan sponsors believe participation in defined contribution plans should be mandatory, with immediate vesting of employer contributions and automatic increases in contributions each year until workers are setting aside more than 10 percent of their salaries. November 1, 2010. Northern Trust

• Citi California Pulse™ Survey Shows Majority of Californians Continue to Cut Spending, Indicating a Permanent Behavioral Shift.

  A majority of Californians (60 percent) say the way they spend and save has forever changed in the wake of the economic downturn, according to the latest Citi California Pulse™. As a result of the adjustments, nearly three quarters (74 percent) say they feel in better control of their finances and more responsible in their borrowing and saving. October 26, 2010. Citi

• The Principal Financial Well-Being IndexSM.

  This is one in a series of quarterly studies to identify and track changes in the workplace of small and mid-sized (growing) businesses. This Principal Financial Well-Being IndexSM survey was conducted online within the United States by Harris Interactive on behalf of the Principal Financial Group® between July 28 to August 8, 2010 among 1,172 employees and 519 retirees. Third Quarter 2010. Principal.

• Financial Advisors Say Living Beyond Means, Not Saving Enough and Fear Are Biggest Roadblocks to Financial Security.

  A revealing new survey of financial advisors across the U.S. found that the top three roadblocks to Americans' financial security are living beyond ones means (70 percent), not saving enough (66 percent) and just plain fear (62 percent). May 27, 2010. Principal.

• Northwestern Mutual Reports More Than Two Out Of Three Americans Fail Personal Finance Quiz

  At a time when Americans are seeking financial security, their financial knowledge is no better than it was in 2006, according to the "Financial Matters" study, commissioned by Northwestern Mutual. The research revealed that two out of three respondents (69%) would receive a failing grade on a quiz about financial products and concepts. November 09, 2010.

Benefits and Retirement

• New Retirement Mindscape 2010 City Pulse Index.

  Recent survey findings suggest that where you live may influence your readiness to retire. The New Retirement Mindscape® 2010 City Pulse index examined the 30 largest U.S. metropolitan areas to determine where consumers are the most prepared for and confident about retirement. December 7, 2010. Ameriprise.

• The Principal Financial Well-Being Index.

  This Principal Financial Well-Being IndexSM survey was conducted online within the United States by Harris Interactive on behalf of the Principal Financial Group® between October 20th and October 28th, 2010, among 1,159 employees and 528 retirees. This is one in a series of quarterly studies to identify and track changes in the workplace of small and mid-sized (growing) businesses. The first Principal Financial Well-Being IndexSM survey was conducted in the United States in 2000. Q4 2010. Principal

• The New Retirement Mindscape IISM Study.

  Five years after introducing the stages of retirement, Ameriprise Financial has revisited its groundbreaking New Retirement Mindscape® study to see how consumers' journey to and through retirement has changed. The findings underscore the substantial emotional impact the difficult economic environment has had on people -- especially those who are approaching retirement or who have retired within the past year. In fact, the economy's impact has been so severe that even some of the basic stages of retirement have changed. September 13, 2010. Ameriprise

• The Total View 2009: Retirement Plans Report.

  Despite the unusual times, retirement plan participants and plan sponsors largely stayed the course in 2008, showing remarkable restraint and focusing on their long-term goals. Plan sponsors are seeking retirement plan solutions that go back to the basics and bring a robust set of highly valued services at a reasonable pric Principal.

• Business Owner Market Study: Understanding Benefit Practices.

  Business owners from small and medium-sized companies with less than 500 employees were surveyed. They were asked what benefits they currently offer, how likely they are to offer a benefit (for those not currently offering) in the next 12 months, and how likely they are to change a benefit (for those currently offering) in the next 12 months. The most cited business goal among business owners is growing their business (70%), followed by achieving business stability and remaining active in the business even after retirement (47% each). Principal.

• The Principal Financial Group's guide to Providing Employees Shelter from the Economic Storm

  An in depth study of the best practices of The Principal 10 Best Companies for Employee Security, whose stories range from rebuilding entire benefit programs to making simple but effective enhancements. Using these tactics may help improve the financial security of your own employees and, ultimately, the financial security of your own business. January 26, 2010. Principal.

• Transamerica Retirement Survey Identifies Little Known Opportunities to Help Women Better Achieve a Financially Secure Retirement.

  At a time when Americans are seeking financial security, their financial knowledge is no better than it was in 2006, according to the "Financial Matters" study, commissioned by Northwestern Mutual. The research revealed that two out of three respondents (69%) would receive a failing grade on a quiz about financial products and concepts. November 09, 2010. Transamerica.

• Transamerica Study Finds American Employers Remain Reluctant to Enhance Retirement Benefits Despite Rising Confidence in Economy.

  Marking a significant shift from the year prior, many employers are optimistic about their financial situations and the U.S. economy. However, the 11th Annual Transamerica Retirement Survey – conducted among a nationally representative sample of 601 U.S. employers – found that despite this optimism, most companies continue to be reluctant to make significant changes to their retirement plans such as adding or enhancing key plan features. June 23, 2010. Transamerica.

• Tale of Two Retirements: Workers With and Without 401(k) Plans Likely to Face Dramatically Different Realities.

  The results of the 11th Annual Transamerica Retirement Survey—conducted among nearly 3,600 American workers—found that workers who are offered 401(k) plans, or similar employee-funded arrangements, exhibit more proactive retirement savings behaviors, demonstrate higher levels of knowledge about retirement investing, and are more confident in their ability to retire comfortably. April 2010 Transamerica.

• 11th Annual Transamerica Retirement Survey: Part-Time and Full-Time Workers.

  Since 1999, the Transamerica Center for Retirement Studies® has conducted a national survey of U.S. business employers and workers regarding their attitudes toward retirement. The overall goals for the study are to illuminate emerging trends, promote awareness, and help educate the public. 2010. Transamerica.

• 1th Annual Transamerica Retirement Survey: Employers.

  Since 1999, the Transamerica Center for Retirement Studies® has conducted a national survey of U.S. business employers and workers regarding their attitudes toward retirement. The overall goals for the study are to illuminate emerging trends, promote awareness, and help educate the public. 2010. Transamerica.

• New Research from Unum Points to Gaps in Benefits Education

  During a year when nearly half (45%) of employees experienced a change in their workplace benefits, education about those benefits dropped off just when it was most needed, according to a study by Harris Interactive on behalf of Unum. June 10, 2010. Unum.