AARPBuletinPolon FinancialLiteracy: ExecutiveSummary October2007
AARP Bulletin Poll on Financial Literacy: Executive Summary (October 2007) Copyright by AARP, 2007 AARP Knowledge Management 601 E Street, NW Washington, DC 20049 Reprinting with Permission
AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan membership organization that helps people 50+ have independence, choice and control in ways that are beneficial and affordable to them and society as a whole. AARP neither endorses candidates for public office nor makes political contributions. We produce AARP The Magazine, published bimonthly; AARP Bulletin, our monthly newspaper; AARP Segunda Juventud, our bimonthly magazine in Spanish and English; NRTA Live & Learn, our quarterly newsletter for 50+ educators; and our website, www.aarp.org. AARP Foundation is our affiliated charity that provides security, protection, and empowerment to older persons in need with support from thousands of volunteers, donors, and sponsors. We have staffed offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. AARP collected the data for this project through a telephone poll administered by International Communications Research (ICR). The report was prepared by Dawn V. Nelson, Senior Research Advisor, AARP Strategic Issues Research. For additional information contact Dawn Nelson at DNelson@aarp.org.
AARP Bulletin Poll on Financial Literacy: Executive Summary The AARP Bulletin recently commissioned a nationwide poll to explore financial literacy on important consumer subjects among people 40 years of age and older. The results were discouraging: not one of the 1,031 poll respondents correctly answered all of the financial literacy quiz questions, and the average score was 50.3%, which equates to half of the poll respondents correctly answering 7 or more of the 14 financial literacy poll questions. This result is troubling since prior research shows that financial literacy is strongly correlated with financial retirement planning, which in turn, is correlated with higher retirement wealth levels. 1 Poll findings include: Social Security benefits. Only 41% of the poll respondents correctly reported that at her full retirement age, a widow is generally eligible to receive all of her husband s Social Security benefit even if she never worked under Social Security. When the analysis is limited to those poll respondents most likely impacted by this policy, widows 60 years of age and older, the result remains constant with just over one-third (36%) of this subpopulation correctly answering the question. 401(k) retirement plans. Over half of the poll respondents (57%) correctly identified all of the common mistakes people make with their 401(k) retirement plans. Not too surprisingly, education and income levels were positively correlated with knowledge about 401(k) retirement plans. For example, 72% of respondents with reported income of $75,000 or more correctly answered the question compared to 48% of respondents with reported income of less than $25,000. Similarly, 70% of those with a college degree or higher correctly answered compared to 50% of those respondents reporting an education level of high school or less. Age, too, was another factor correlated with 401(k) knowledge. Specifically, 43% of those 60 and older correctly answered compared to 65% of the 40 to 59 year old respondents. Medicare coverage. Roughly a third (31%) of the respondents correctly identified all of the items that Medicare does not cover while another third (34%) reported that they were unsure or did not know the answer. Credit card theft liability. Overall, 43% of the poll respondents correctly responded that $50 was the maximum financial responsibility for a lost or stolen credit cards usage. Exactly half (50%) of the poll respondents ages 60+ reported that they were unsure or did not know the answer to this question while only onethird (33%) correctly answered it. When we compare this to the 40 to 59 year olds, a significant difference by age is found. Many fewer (28%) of the 40 to 59 year olds reported that they were unsure or did not know the answer to this 1 Lusardi, Annamaria, and Olivia S. Mitchell, Baby Boomer Retirement Security: The Roles of Planning, Financial Literacy, and Housing Wealth, Pension Research Council Working Paper (PRC WP2007-02), Pension Research Council, The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, 2007. AARP Bulletin Poll on Financial Literacy: Executive Summary (October 2007) 1
question and significantly more (49%) correctly answered the item. Income and education also play a role: (1) poll respondents reporting an income of less than $25,000 correctly answered the item 25% of the time compared to 60% correct answers for those reporting an income of $75,000 or greater; and (2) 33% of poll respondents reporting a high school or less education level correctly answered this item compared to 58% of college graduate poll respondents. Checking of credit reports. Overall, 63% accurately reported that one should check his/her credit report at least once a year. Car buying regrets. Nearly two-thirds (63%) of the poll respondents incorrectly stated that federal law allows one to cancel a car purchase within three days if it was bought at a car dealership. Social Security benefits. Only 32% of the poll respondents correctly responded that a person of full retirement age or older may keep 100% of his Social Security benefits even if he is currently employed, regardless of how much he earns at his current job. Full retirement age no longer 65. Nearly two-thirds (63%) correctly responded that the full retirement age for Social Security benefits is gradually increasing from 65 years to 67 years for those born in 1943 or later. Female life expectancy. When asked whether it was true or false that a 65 year old women today can expect to live to 85, nearly three-fourths (74%) of poll respondents correctly indicated that the statement was true. This item had the largest percentage of correct answers. Social Security benefits taxable? Over half (57%) of the poll respondents correctly reported that some people have to pay federal income tax on their Social Security benefits. Responses varied by age: 62% of those 60 years of age and older accurately responded to this item compared to 51% of the 40 to 59 year olds. Single stocks safer than mutual funds? Nearly half (49%) of the poll respondents recognized that purchasing a single company stock usually does not provide a safer return than a stock mutual fund. However, only 39% of the respondents ages 60 and older recognized this compared to 51% of the 40 to 49 year olds and 62% of the 50 to 59 year old poll respondents. 2007 maximum 401(k) contribution. 39% of poll respondents correctly reported that $15,500 is the 2007 maximum 401(k) contribution for those under 50 years old and that those 50 years of age and older are allowed an additional $5,000 contribution to help catch up on their savings. Half (50%) of those most likely impacted by this ruling (the 50 to 59 year old poll respondents) correctly answered this item, and only 30% of the poll respondents ages 60+ correctly answered it. AARP Bulletin Poll on Financial Literacy: Executive Summary (October 2007) 2
Identity theft. Exactly half (50%) of the poll respondents incorrectly reported that identity theft is more often initiated from the Internet than from paper sources. Only 30% correctly answered this item; the remaining 20% reported that they were unsure or did not know the answer. Bankruptcy. Roughly a third (32%) of the poll respondents correctly reported that bankruptcy is growing faster amongst Americans 65 years and older than any other age group. Another 19% of the poll respondents reported that they were unsure or did not know the answer, and the remaining poll respondents (48%) incorrectly answered this item. Poll methodology A nationally representative sample of 1,031 people 40 years of age and older were polled by phone from August 10 to August 20 by International Communications Research (ICR) using its national omnibus survey service. The financial literacy section of the poll contained a total of 15 questions (5 multiple choice, 10 true/false); however, after data collection ended, one of the true/false questions was found to be faulty and removed from the analysis. The ICR weighted the data to provide nationally representative estimates of the adult population 40 years of age and older. AARP Bulletin Poll on Financial Literacy: Executive Summary (October 2007) 3
AARP Bulletin Poll on Financial Literacy: Annotated Questionnaire 1,031 respondents (ages 40+) Correct answers are indicated with *** - MQ-1 How much of her husband s Social Security benefit is a widow eligible to receive at her full retirement age even if she never worked under Social Security? *** All of his Social Security benefit (100%) 425 41 % Half of his Social Security benefit (50%) or 280 27 % None of it (0%) 47 5 % (DO NOT READ) DON T KNOW 270 26 % (DO NOT READ) REFUSED 9 1 % MQ-2 Which of the following are common mistakes people make with their 401(k) retirement plans: (READ LIST) (ACCEPT AS MANY AS APPLY) Not contributing any funds of their own, 40 4 % Not making a large enough contribution to earn a full employer match, 56 5 % Withdrawing funds before retirement, 85 8 % Cashing out rather than rolling into other investments when change jobs, or 93 9 % *** All of the above 588 57 % (DO NOT READ) DON T KNOW 186 18 % (DO NOT READ) REFUSED 8 1 % MQ-3 Which of the following health-related expenses does Medicare NOT cover? Annual physical exams, 28 3 % Most dental care, 244 24 % Hearing aids, or 103 10 % *** All of the above 319 31 % (DO NOT READ) DON T KNOW 354 34 % (DO NOT READ) REFUSED 11 1 % MQ-4 If your credit card is stolen and someone spends $1000 with it before you report it missing, what amount are you responsible to pay? All of the amount, ($1000) 147 14 % Half of the amount, ($500), or 15 2 % *** $50 442 43 % (DO NOT READ) DON T KNOW 372 36 % (DO NOT READ) REFUSED 56 5 % AARP Bulletin Poll on Financial Literacy: Executive Summary (October 2007) 4
MQ-5 How often should you check your credit report? Every time you use your credit card 96 9 % *** At least once a year, or 654 63 % Once every five years 120 12 % (DO NOT READ) DON T KNOW 137 13% (DO NOT READ) REFUSED 25 2 % MQ-6 Next, I am going to read a statement and I want you to tell me if you believe the statement to be true or false. If you are unsure or do not know the answer, just let me know and we ll move on to the next question. (INSERT STATEMENT) True or False? (ROTATE) A. By federal law if you purchase a new or used vehicle at a car dealership you have three days to cancel the purchase. True 652 63 % *** False 191 19 % (DO NOT READ) UNSURE/DON T KNOW 185 18 % (DO NOT READ) REFUSED 3 <1 % (FOLLOWING ITEM WAS FAULTY AND REMOVED FROM ANALYSIS)) B. If you only pay the minimum payment required on your credit card balance, you will be able to pay off your entire credit card debt over time. True 323 31 % False 611 59 % (DO NOT READ) UNSURE/DON T KNOW 93 9 % (DO NOT READ) REFUSED 4 <1 % C. If you are of full retirement age or older AND employed, you may keep all of your Social Security benefits, no matter how much you earn at your current job. *** True 326 32 % False 544 53 % (DO NOT READ) UNSURE/DON T KNOW 153 15 % (DO NOT READ) REFUSED 8 1 % AARP Bulletin Poll on Financial Literacy: Executive Summary (October 2007) 5
MQ-6 Next, I am going to read a statement and I want you to tell me if you believe the statement to be true or false. If you are unsure or do not know the answer, just let me know and we ll move on to the next question. (INSERT STATEMENT) True or False? D. The full retirement age for Social Security benefits is no longer 65. It is gradually increasing to 67 for people born in 1943 or later. *** True 653 63 % False 211 20 % (DO NOT READ) UNSURE/DON T KNOW 163 16 % (DO NOT READ) REFUSED 5 <1 % E. A women age 65 today can expect to live to 85. *** True 758 74 % False 182 18 % (DO NOT READ) UNSURE/DON T KNOW 85 8 % (DO NOT READ) REFUSED 6 1 % F. Some people have to pay federal income tax on their Social Security benefits. *** True 583 56 % False 272 26 % (DO NOT READ) UNSURE/DON T KNOW 173 17 % (DO NOT READ) REFUSED 3 <1 % G. Buying a single company stock usually provides a safer return than a stock mutual fund. True 164 16 % *** False 510 49 % (DO NOT READ) UNSURE/DON T KNOW 353 34 % (DO NOT READ) REFUSED 4 <1 % AARP Bulletin Poll on Financial Literacy: Executive Summary (October 2007) 6
MQ-6 Next, I am going to read a statement and I want you to tell me if you believe the statement to be true or false. If you are unsure or do not know the answer, just let me know and we ll move on to the next question. (INSERT STATEMENT) True or False? H. In 2007, workers can contribute a maximum of $15,500 to their 401(k) retirement plans, but those 50 and over can add $5,000 extra to help them catch-up on their savings. *** True 401 39 % False 163 16 % (DO NOT READ) UNSURE/DON T KNOW 463 45 % (DO NOT READ) REFUSED 4 <1 % I. Identity theft is more often initiated from the Internet than from paper sources. True 519 50 % *** False 304 30 % (DO NOT READ) UNSURE/DON T KNOW 204 20 % (DO NOT READ) REFUSED 3 <1 % J. Bankruptcy is growing faster amongst Americans 65 and older than any other age group. *** True 330 32 % False 498 48 % (DO NOT READ) UNSURE/DON T KNOW 199 19 % (DO NOT READ) REFUSED 3 <1 % AARP Bulletin Poll on Financial Literacy: Executive Summary (October 2007) 7