Planning to Retire

The Top 4 Money Worries

By Emily Brandon

Posted: February 24, 2009

The recession has many people worrying about money. But saving for retirement is being trumped by other more immediate financial worries including unemployment, healthcare costs, and stock market performance, according to a recent survey. Here are the top 4 money worries and who is fretting most about each one.

Job insecurity. Some 38 percent of Americans rank unemployment as their biggest money concern, according to the telephone survey of 1,000 adults this month by financial services firm Edward Jones and Opinion Research Corporation. Younger Americans are considerably more nervous than their elders about job security (50 percent vs. 22 percent).

Stock market and health care. Older Americans are more stressed about stock market performance (37 percent) and the cost of healthcare (33 percent) than their younger counterparts (17 percent and 18 percent respectively). Women are also more concerned than men about health costs (23 percent vs. 18 percent).

Retirement. Not surprisingly, saving for retirement is viewed as more important to middle-aged Americans (23 percent) than younger Americans (8 percent). Men are slightly more worried than women about having enough money for a secure retirement (14 percent vs. 11 percent). Higher earners are more concerned about stock market performance and their nest egg while lower earners worry more about healthcare costs.

Tell us, what is your greatest money worry?

worry

I have decided not to worry. It only makes me ill. One day at a time, planning only when possible, is the only way to make it work. I'm lucky, I still have Social Security

Vallory of CA @ Feb 27, 2009 18:09:59 PM

No need to worry folks.

The rapid decline of the dollar bill is already happening at a very fast rate, who needs to wait for retirment it wont be worth anything then anyway. Bob Bonney

Bob Bonney of MO @ Feb 27, 2009 12:32:25 PM

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Planning to Retire

Planning to Retire

Reporter Emily Brandon tells you how to get ready financially for retirement and to make your golden years the best they can be.

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