Building a Secure Financial Future in Wisconsin: Key Findings From an AARP Survey

Transcription

1 Building a Secure Financial Future in Wisconsin: Key Findings From an AARP Survey January 2015 Copyright 2015 AARP AARP Research 601 E Street NW Washington, DC Reprinting with

2 MOST WORKING WISCONSIN REGISTERED VOTERS ARE NOT CONFIDENT THEY WILL HAVE ENOUGH SAVINGS FOR RETIREMENT AND WISH THEY D SAVED MORE, AND MANY ARE LIKELY TO PUT OFF RETIREMENT AS LONG AS POSSIBLE American workers are not saving enough to live comfortably in retirement. According to the National Institute on Retirement Security, almost half (45 percent or 38 million) of U.S. working-age households ages are lacking retirement account assets either in an employer based 401(k) or in an IRA. 1 Additionally, NIRS reports that median retirement account balances for all working age households is $3,000. Most households with an older worker ages face an actual retirement savings that will be far too low to maintain their standard of living. Employer paid pensions are mostly a thing of the past. Workers are now largely responsible for saving for their retirement through defined contribution plans such as a 401(k). Nationally, just over half of adult workers ages 18 to 64 works for an employer who does not offer a retirement plan. In Wisconsin, over four in ten (42.2%) adult workers are faced with no employer savings options. 2 Yet when workers have a way to save through their employer, their rate of retirement savings goes up exponentially. This survey of 1,000 registered voters ages 45 and older residing in Wisconsin was fielded for AARP by Precision Opinion Research in early September 2014 and has a sampling error of +/- 3.1 percent. KEY SURVEY FINDINGS: Over four in ten (42%) working Wisconsin registered voters age 45 and older indicate their employer does not offer a workplace savings plan to employees such as a 401k or 403b. Well over half (59%) of working Wisconsin registered voters age 45 and older indicate their employer does not offer the traditional pension plan. Just under half (49%) of working Wisconsin registered voters age 45 and older say they are currently contributing to a workplace 401k or 403b. Among those not currently participating in a workplace savings plan or any other options tested in the survey, their top reasons are the lack of a plan through their employer and not having enough money to contribute. Sixty percent of working Wisconsin registered voters age 45 and older says they are very or somewhat likely to put off retirement as long as possible, with one-third (33%) saying they are very likely. More than half of working Wisconsin registered voters age 45 and older indicates that major factors in their decision to continue working beyond traditional retirement age include needing the income (59%); needing to pay for out of pocket health care expenses (55%) or needing to maintain health coverage (58%). 1 National Institute on Retirement The Retirement Savings Crisis: Is It Worse Than We Think? 2 AARP Public Policy Institute tabulation of the U.S. Census Bureau's Current Population Survey, March Supplement ( ) BUILDING A SECURE FINANCIAL FUTURE IN WISCONSIN: AN AARP SURVEY Page 1

3 Not many working Wisconsin registered voters age 45 and older say they are very confident about certain aspects of retirement: just slightly more than a third (35%) say they are very confident they will have enough money in retirement to cover basic expenses; only one-quarter (25%) say they are very confident they will have money to live comfortably; just eighteen percent say they are very confident they will have enough money to cover medical expenses. Most (88%) working Wisconsin registered voters age 45 and older say they wish they had more money saved for their retirement years. Only twelve percent of all Wisconsin registered voters age 45 and older say they are strongly opposed to a Wisconsin retirement savings plan. Among those who do not strongly oppose the proposal, most view each of the plan features tested as very important: portability: 80%; low cost to taxpayers: 72%; low cost to workers: 70%; accessibility: 65%; voluntary: 68%. Those who consider themselves Republican voters are statistically significantly more likely than Democrats to say they strongly or somewhat support a Wisconsin retirement savings plan. (Republicans strongly/somewhat support: 50%; Democrats strongly/somewhat support: 44%). Close to two-thirds of all working Wisconsin registered voters age 45 and older agree (strongly agree: 31%; somewhat agree: 30%) that state elected officials should support a state run savings plan for those without access in the workplace. METHODOLOGY The AARP 2014 Wisconsin Financial Security Survey was conducted as a telephone survey among registered voters age 45 or older in Wisconsin. The survey examined the opinions and experiences on issues related to personal finance and retirement planning. The survey was approximately 12 minutes in length. The interviews were conducted in English by Precision Opinion from September 8 th to September 23 rd, The sample utilized a registered voter list. The voter list sample targeted age 45+ by gender based on the registered voter universe in the state of Wisconsin. The margin of sampling error for the sample of 1000 for Wisconsin is +/-3.1%. Responses may add up to more than 100 due to rounding. BUILDING A SECURE FINANCIAL FUTURE IN WISCONSIN: AN AARP SURVEY Page 2

4 ANNOTATED SURVEY BUILDING A SECURE FINANCIAL FUTURE IN WISCONSIN: AN AARP SURVEY Page 3

5 Wisconsin AARP Survey: Gauge Need/Support for State Work and Save Legislation (n= 1,000 Registered Voters in Wisconsin Age 45+; Sampling Error = ± 3.1%) Hello, this is calling from, a national opinion research firm. We are not telemarketers and are not trying to sell you anything. We are interested in your opinions on work and retirement. Your opinions are important, and we would greatly appreciate your participation. Your responses will be kept entirely confidential. We need only about 10 to 15 minutes of your time. SCREENING QUESTIONS: S-1 We are interested in the opinions of people from different age groups, so first let me ask if you are over or under age 45? 45 and over Skip to S-5 44 or younger Continue to S-2 Don t know/refused Thank and terminate S-2 Is there anyone else in your household who is age 45 or older? Yes Continue to S-3 No Thank and terminate Don t know Thank and terminate Refused Thank and terminate S-3 May I speak with that person? Yes Continue to S-4 Person unavailable Schedule callback Don t know/refused Thank and terminate S-4 IF NEW PERSON ON LINE. Hello, my name is calling from, a national opinion research company. We are interested in your opinions on work and retirement. Your opinions are important, and we would greatly appreciate your participation. Your responses will be kept entirely confidential. We need only about 10 to 15 minutes of your time. (CONFIRM:) My questions are for those who are age 45 or older. Would that be you? Yes, it s me No Don t know/refused Continue Thank and terminate Thank and terminate. BUILDING A SECURE FINANCIAL FUTURE IN WISCONSIN: AN AARP SURVEY Page 4

6 S-5 What is your age as of your last birthday? 40 to % 50 to % 55 to % 65 or older 38.9% S-6 Do you live in Virginia? Yes Continue to S % No Thank and terminate. - Don t know Thank and terminate - Refused Thank and terminate - S-7 Are you registered to vote in Virginia? Yes Continue to S % No Thank and terminate. - Don t know Thank and terminate - Refused Thank and terminate - S-8 (RECORD:) Gender Male 47.7% Female 52.3% BUILDING A SECURE FINANCIAL FUTURE IN WISCONSIN: AN AARP SURVEY Page 5

7 MAIN QUESTIONNAIRE GENERAL WORK AND RETIREMENT PLANS 1. I d like to begin by asking you a few general questions about your work status. Which of the following best describes your current employment status? Are you [READ EACH ANSWER CATEGORY ACCEPT ONLY ONE RESPONSE] Self-employed full-time 5.5% Self-employed part-time 3.8% Employed full-time 24.5% Employed part-time 9.1% Retired and not working at all [SKIP TO Q % Unemployed and looking for work [SKIP TO Q15 3.9% Or are you not in the labor force for other reasons [SKIP TO Q15 5.7% Don t know [DO NOT READ] [SKIP TO Q15 0.2% Refused [DO NOT READ] [SKIP TO Q15 0.2% 2. Do you currently own a business and have at least one other person you pay as an employee? (429) Yes 9.6% No [SKIP TO QUESTION 4] 90.2% Not sure/ Don t know [DO NOT READ] [SKIP TO QUESTION 4] 0.2% Refused [DO NOT READ] [SKIP TO QUESTION 4] - 3. And do you employ..: Biz Owners (41). Just one person? 36.6% b persons? 58.5% c persons? 2.4% d persons? 2.5% e. 100 or more persons? - f. Not sure [DO NOT READ] - g. Refused [DO NOT READ] - BUILDING A SECURE FINANCIAL FUTURE IN WISCONSIN: AN AARP SURVEY Page 6

8 4. [IF Q2=YES, USE: Do you] [IF Q2=NO, NOT SURE, REFUSE, USE: Does your employer] offer a traditional pension plan, that is, a benefit plan where YOU/THEY set up a retirement account based on salary and years of employee service and contribute money to it FOR the employee the employee does not contribute money to this? Employed (429) Yes 38.5% No [IF Q2= YES, SKIP TO QUESTION 7. IF Q2=NO, SKIP TO 58.8% QUESTION 7] Not sure/ Don t know [IF Q2= YES, SKIP TO QUESTION 7. IF 2.6% Q2=NO, SKIP TO QUESTION 7] Refused [DO NOT READ] [IF Q2= YES, SKIP TO QUESTION 0.2% 7. IF Q2=NO, SKIP TO QUESTION 7] [IF Q2=YES, GO TO QUESTION 7] 5. Are you currently participating in your employer s pension plan? Offer Plan (156) Yes 87.2% No [SKIP TO QUESTION 7] 11.5% Not sure/ Don t know [DO NOT READ] [SKIP TO QUESTION 7] 1.3% Refused [DO NOT READ] [SKIP TO QUESTION 7] - 6. And are you vested by the traditional pension plan with your employer that is, have you worked for your company long enough to own the money they put into your pension on your behalf so it can no longer be taken away from you if you leave the company? Participants (136) Yes 83.1% No 13.2% Not sure/ Don t know [DO NOT READ] 3.7% Refused [DO NOT READ] - BUILDING A SECURE FINANCIAL FUTURE IN WISCONSIN: AN AARP SURVEY Page 7

9 7. [IF Q2=YES, USE: Do you] [IF Q2=NO, NOT SURE, REFUSE, USE: Does your employer] offer a workplace savings plan to employees such as a 401k or 403b? Employed (429) Yes 55.3% No 42.2% Not sure/ Don t know [DO NOT READ] 2.3% Refused [DO NOT READ] 0.2% 8. Do you currently contribute any money to any of the following retirement savings options for yourself? [ROTATE A-E] Yes Responses: Employed (429) A workplace saving plan such as a 401k or 403b 48.5% A personal IRA, Keogh, or SEP plan 38.5% A personal savings account 68.8% Other personal investments in stocks, mutual funds 48.7% A Thrift Savings Plan 8.4% 9. [ONLY IF Q8 a-e = NO] Now I m going to read to you some reasons people may have for not participating in a workplace savings plan or an employer s pension plan. After I read each, please tell me which ONE statement best describes your reason? Is it.. [ROTATE A-E AND READ EACH ANSWER CATEGORY READ F LAST] Don t Participate (58) My workplace doesn t offer it 18.9% I don t have extra money to contribute 39.6% I am not interested in contributing right now 12.1% My spouse/partner contributes 3.5% Some other reason: (specify): 8.6% Not sure [DO NOT READ] 8.6% Refused [DO NOT READ] 8.7% 10. Realistically, at what age do you expect to retire and not work for income? Mean Age=65.13 BUILDING A SECURE FINANCIAL FUTURE IN WISCONSIN: AN AARP SURVEY Page 8

10 11. Thinking about your own current work and financial situation, how likely is it that you will put off retiring from work for as long as possible? Would you say you are very likely, somewhat likely, not too likely, or not at all likely to put off retiring from work? Employed (429) Very likely 32.9% Somewhat likely 26.6% Not too likely 19.6% Not at all likely [SKIP TO QUESTION 13] 17.9% Not sure/ Don t know [DO NOT READ] [SKIP TO QUESTION 13] 2.6% Refused [DO NOT READ] [SKIP TO QUESTION 13] 0.5% 12. People have many reasons for continuing to work beyond the traditional retirement age. For each reason, please tell me if it is a major factor for you, a minor factor, or not a factor at all in your decision to keep working beyond traditional retirement age. Would you say [INSERT a-h; RANDOMIZE a-h] is a major or minor factor to continue working, or not a factor at all? [READ EACH RESPONSE FOR a-c and then if need to as a prompt/recall] a. Needing to pay for out-of-pocket health care expenses Put Off Retiring (339) Major factor 54.5% Minor factor 26.6% Not a factor at all 18.0% Not sure 0.9% Refused - b. Needing to maintain health insurance coverage Put Off Retiring (339) Major factor 58.1% Minor factor 18.9% Not a factor at all 22.7% Not sure 0.3% Refused - BUILDING A SECURE FINANCIAL FUTURE IN WISCONSIN: AN AARP SURVEY Page 9

11 c. Enjoying the job or working Put Off Retiring (339) Major factor 47.5% Minor factor 32.7% Not a factor at all 19.2% Not sure 0.6% Refused - d. To qualify for social security Put Off Retiring (339) Major factor 36.5% Minor factor 32.8% Not a factor at all 29.2% Not sure 1.5% Refused - e. To fulfill pension requirements Put Off Retiring (339) Major factor 22.9% Minor factor 26.6% Not a factor at all 48.7% Not sure 1.8% Refused - f. To feel useful or productive Put Off Retiring (339) Major factor 41.3% Minor factor 33.3% Not a factor at all 24.8% Not sure 0.6% Refused - BUILDING A SECURE FINANCIAL FUTURE IN WISCONSIN: AN AARP SURVEY Page 10

12 g. Needing the income Put Off Retiring (339) Major factor 56.0% Minor factor 30.1% Not a factor at all 13.3% Not sure 0.6% Refused - h. To save more for retirement Put Off Retiring (339) Major factor 47.4% Minor factor 36.1% Not a factor at all 16.2% Not sure 0.3% Refused - FINANCIAL SECURITY AND PLANNING 13. Overall, how confident are you that [RANDOMIZE and INSERT a-d]. Are you very confident, somewhat confident, not too confident, or not at all confident? a. you will have enough money to take care of your basic expenses during your retirement years? Employed (429) Very confident 34.5% Somewhat confident 52.7% Not very confident 6.0% Not confident at all 5.6% Not sure/ Don t know [DO NOT READ] 1.2% Refused [DO NOT READ] - BUILDING A SECURE FINANCIAL FUTURE IN WISCONSIN: AN AARP SURVEY Page 11

13 b. you will have enough money to live comfortably throughout your retirement years? Employed (429) Very confident 24.9% Somewhat confident 53.4% Not very confident 10.9% Not confident at all 9.6% Not sure/ Don t know [DO NOT READ] 1.2% Refused [DO NOT READ] - c. You will have enough money to take care of any medical or health bills through your retirement years? Employed (429) Very confident 18.4% Somewhat confident 47.4% Not very confident 20.5% Not confident at all 12.3% Not sure/ Don t know [DO NOT READ] 1.4% Refused [DO NOT READ] - d. You will have enough money to pay for long-term care for yourself or your spouse or partner throughout your retirement years? Employed (429) Very confident 17.7% Somewhat confident 42.5% Not very confident 19.1% Not confident at all 18.2% Not sure/ Don t know [DO NOT READ] 2.5% Refused [DO NOT READ] - BUILDING A SECURE FINANCIAL FUTURE IN WISCONSIN: AN AARP SURVEY Page 12

14 14. Thinking about the amount you currently have in savings and investments, not including the value of your primary residence or any pension plans, do you wish you had more money saved for your retirement years? Employed (429) Yes 88.3% No [SKIP TO Q16] 10.3% Not sure/ Don t know [DO NOT READ] [SKIP TO Q16] 1.4% Refused [DO NOT READ] [SKIP TO Q16] [IF Q14=YES] There are many reasons people have for not saving more for their retirement years. After I read each possible reason to you, please indicate if it applies to you by saying yes or no. Let s begin - Is it.. [RANDOMIZE a-o, read p last ] [PROGRAMMER: CODE YES OR NO FOR a through p] Wish More Yes Responses Money (379) I don t earn enough to save more. 53.8% I can t afford to save more. 51.2% I m paying down debts. 58.3% I had unexpected medical expenses for myself or a family member. 26.9% I have high medical costs in general. 19.5% The recession. 54.3% I have too much job uncertainty. 20.0% I m too busy to fit in saving for the future. 10.3% I don t have the self-discipline to force myself to save. 12.9% I don t have specific retirement savings goals. 32.9% I spend too much money. 23.7% I make too many unnecessary purchases. 15.8% I just don t think about the future very much. 18.0% I m more concerned about my current finances than my retirement 53.0% finances. Retirement seems so far away I ll get to it later. 16.4% Is there another reason I didn't mention? 31.9% 16. Have you ever tried to figure out how much money you will need to have saved by the time you retire so that you can live comfortably in your retirement? Employed (429) Yes 56.4% No 41.7% Not sure/ Don t know [DO NOT READ] 1.6% Refused [DO NOT READ] 0.2% BUILDING A SECURE FINANCIAL FUTURE IN WISCONSIN: AN AARP SURVEY Page 14

15 WISCONSIN WORK AND SAVE PROPOSAL 17. One proposal to help people without access to retirement savings options at work would be to set up a Wisconsin retirement savings plan. It would be voluntary and flexible, allowing for professional money management and low fees. The plan would be self-funded, and would not cost taxpayer dollars. How strongly do you support or oppose this plan? Strongly support 16.7% Somewhat support 27.0% Neither support nor oppose 23.5% Somewhat oppose 6.4% Strongly oppose [SKIP TO QUESTION 18] 11.7% Not sure/ Don t know [DO NOT READ] 13.2% Refused [DO NOT READ] 1.5% 18. [IF Q17= STRONGLY, SOMEWHAT, NEITHER SUPPORT/OPPOSE, SOMEWHAT OPPOSE] Now I m going to tell you some features of the proposed Wisconsin retirement savings plan. After I finish reading each feature, tell me if you think it is very important, somewhat important, not too important, or not at all important for a state retirement savings plan. Let s begin How important is [insert a-e and then read, would you say this is very important feature, a somewhat important feature, not too important, or not an important feature at all. RANDOMIZE a-e AND READ ALL ITEMS] a. Portability being able to take the money and account with you to another job? Don t Strongly Oppose (736) Very important 80.2% Somewhat important 13.0% Not too important 1.8% Not important at all 3.3% Not sure/ Don t know [DO NOT READ] 1.4% Refused [DO NOT READ] 0.4% BUILDING A SECURE FINANCIAL FUTURE IN WISCONSIN: AN AARP SURVEY Page 14

16 b. A low cost to taxpayers? Don t Strongly Oppose (736) Very important 71.9% Somewhat important 18.5% Not too important 3.0% Not important at all 2.9% Not sure/ Don t know [DO NOT READ] 3.0% Refused [DO NOT READ] 0.8% c. A low cost to workers? Don t Strongly Oppose (736) Very important 69.5% Somewhat important 22.7% Not too important 2.3% Not important at all 2.2% Not sure/ Don t know [DO NOT READ] 2.7% Refused [DO NOT READ] 0.5% d. Accessibility a savings plan that is an opportunity for everyone in the state? Don t Strongly Oppose (736) Very important 64.8% Somewhat important 25.7% Not too important 4.5% Not important at all 3.1% Not sure/ Don t know [DO NOT READ] 1.5% Refused [DO NOT READ] 0.4% BUILDING A SECURE FINANCIAL FUTURE IN WISCONSIN: AN AARP SURVEY Page 15

17 e. Voluntary participation? Don t Strongly Oppose (736) Very important 68.3% Somewhat important 24.7% Not too important 2.6% Not important at all 2.0% Not sure/ Don t know [DO NOT READ] 1.8% Refused [DO NOT READ] 0.5% 19. And how important would it be to you for a state retirement savings plan to allow for automatic deduction where contributions are taken directly from an employees paycheck? Would this be a very important feature, somewhat important, not too important, or not an important feature at all for a state retirement savings plan? Don t Strongly Oppose (736) Very important 40.1% Somewhat important 35.9% Not too important 9.4% Not important at all 11.0% Not sure/ Don t know [DO NOT READ] 3.4% Refused [DO NOT READ] 0.3% 20. How strongly do you agree or disagree with the following statement: elected officials should support creating a Wisconsin run savings plan so all residents can have the opportunity to save for retirement. Strongly agree 31.1% Somewhat agree 30.4% Neither agree nor disagree 13.9% Somewhat disagree 6.1% Strongly disagree 13.1% Not sure/ Don t know [DO NOT READ] 4.7% Refused [DO NOT READ] 0.7% BUILDING A SECURE FINANCIAL FUTURE IN WISCONSIN: AN AARP SURVEY Page 16

18 Demographics The following questions are for classification purposes only and will be kept entirely confidential. AGE DEMOGRAPHIC WAS DELETED BECAUSE ASKED IN SCREENER DEMOGRAPHIC Q S RENUMBERED D-1 What is your 5-digit ZIP Code? Record ZIP Code Don t know [DO NOT READ] Refused [DO NOT READ] D-2 Are you currently? Married 77.1% Living with a partner but not married 2.4% Widowed 7.8% Divorces 4.2% Separated 0.6% Never Married 6.3% Don t know [DO NOT READ] 0.3% Refused [DO NOT READ] 1.3% D-3 Are you of Hispanic, Spanish, or Latino origin or descent? Yes 1.7% No 96.0% Not sure/ Don t know [DO NOT READ] 0.3% Refused [DO NOT READ] 2.0% BUILDING A SECURE FINANCIAL FUTURE IN WISCONSIN: AN AARP SURVEY Page 17

19 D-4 What is your race? [DO NOT READ UNLESS NECESSARY OR FOR CLARIFICATION] White or Caucasian 91.2% Black or African American 3.5% Native American or Alaskan Native 0.5% Asian 0.3% Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander - Other 1.9% Don t know (DO NOT READ) 0.5% Refused (DO NOT READ) 2.1% D-5 Do you consider yourself a Democrat, a Republican, an Independent, or something else? Democrat 24.3% Republican 25.3% Independent 31.0% Something else 12.0% Don t know [DO NOT READ] 3.2% Refused [DO NOT READ] 4.2% D-6 How likely are you to vote in the Wisconsin general election this November? Would you say [READ LIST] Extremely likely 67.1% Very likely 22.8% Somewhat likely 6.2% Not very likely 0.7% Not at all likely 1.2% Don t know [DO NOT READ] 0.6% Refused [DO NOT READ] 1.4% BUILDING A SECURE FINANCIAL FUTURE IN WISCONSIN: AN AARP SURVEY Page 18

20 D-7 Are you or your spouse or partner a member of A-A-R-P, formerly known as the American Association of Retired Persons? Yes 39.7% No 57.7% Not sure/ Don t know [DO NOT READ] 0.8% Refused [DO NOT READ] 1.8% D8 What was your annual household income before taxes in 2013? Less than $10, % $10,000 to just under $20, % $20,000 to just under $35, % $35,000 to just under $50, % $50,000 to just under $60, % $60,000 to just under $75, % $75,000 to just under $100, % $100,000 to just under $125, % $125,000 or more 7.1% Don t know [DO NOT READ] 7.5% Refused [DO NOT READ] 19.8% D-9 The client for this survey sometimes receives phone calls from reporters who want to interview people for news stories. Would you be willing to speak with a reporter about some of the things addressed in this survey? You may be contacted by the client prior to being referred to the reporter. This would not be a sales call. Yes No [THANK AND END SURVEY] A1.1 - (IF YES TO A1, THEN EXPLAIN WHAT INFORMATION WILL BE SHARED WITH THE CLIENT AND AGAIN ASK FOR CONSENT. EXAMPLE WORDING IS BELOW.) Key Findings from AARP Survey of Wisconsin Registered Voters Age 45 and Older Page 19

21 Because you would be willing to speak with a reporter, we also will be providing some limited information about you to the client. This information will be limited to the following: (1) your first name, (2) your telephone number, (3) your gender (male or female), (4) the census region in which you live, (5) your age group (e.g., 25-49, 50-64, or 65+), and up to 4 additional responses your gave to this survey. Some of that information may be shared with the reporter as background for the interview. These questions/responses will be related to the main objectives of the survey itself. Are you still willing to speak with a reporter? Yes, I reconfirm my consent No [THANK AND END SURVEY] A2. Thank you for indicating your willingness to speak with a reporter. Before a reporter contacts you, the client may contact you first to verify that you are still interested in speaking with a reporter. What phone number would be best for the client and/or the reporter to use to reach you? Please provide your area code and phone number. [VERIFY FOR ACCURACY] PHONE NUMBER A3. Please provide your first name so the client and/or the reporter will know who to ask for. FIRST NAME (SPECIFY) Thank you very much for your time have a nice day/evening. BUILDING A SECURE FINANCIAL FUTURE IN WISCONSIN: AN AARP SURVEY Page 20

22 AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, with a membership of nearly 38 million, that helps people turn their goals and dreams into real possibilities, strengthens communities and fights for the issues that matter most to families such as healthcare, employment and income security, retirement planning, affordable utilities and protection from financial abuse. We advocate for individuals in the marketplace by selecting products and services of high quality and value to carry the AARP name as well as help our members obtain discounts on a wide range of products, travel, and services. A trusted source for lifestyle tips, news and educational information, AARP produces AARP The Magazine, the world's largest circulation magazine; AARP Bulletin; AARP TV & Radio; AARP Books; and AARP en Español, a Spanish-language website addressing the interests and needs of Hispanics. AARP does not endorse candidates for public office or make contributions to political campaigns or candidates. The AARP Foundation is an affiliated charity that provides security, protection, and empowerment to older persons in need with support from thousands of volunteers, donors, and sponsors. AARP has staffed offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Learn more at State Research brings the right knowledge at the right time to our state and national partners in support of their efforts to improve the lives of people age 50+. State Research consultants provide strategic insights and actionable research to attain measurable state and national outcomes. The views expressed herein are for information, debate, and discussion, and do not necessarily represent official policies of AARP. AARP staff that contributed to the design and implementation of this study include AARP state office staff in Wisconsin: Sam Wilson, Lisa Lamkins, Helen Marks Dicks; State and National Group Integrated Campaigns: Jodi Sakol, Reshma Mehta, Scott Musser; State and National Group State Advocacy Economic Security: Sarah Mysiewicz-Gill; Rachelle Cummins, Darlene Matthews, Brittne Nelson, Cheryl Barnes of the Research Center. Precision Opinion fielded, entered, tabulated, and weighted the data. Jennifer authored this summary. For more information about this survey, the methodology or the dispositions, please contact Jennifer H. Sauer at jsauer@aarp.org or at (202) AARP Research Center For more information about this survey, please contact Jennifer Sauer at or jsauer@aarp.org BUILDING A SECURE FINANCIAL FUTURE IN WISCONSIN: AN AARP SURVEY Page 20