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Soaring Healthcare Expenses Top Retirement Concerns of Middle-Income
Americans, New Study Unveils
Chicago (June 7, 2011) - Healthcare expenses, inflation
and outliving their money are the top three financial concerns that the majority
(78 percent) of America's middle-income Baby Boomers have about retirement, according
to a new study released by the Bankers Life and Casualty Company Center for a Secure
Retirement(SM) (CSR).
The CSR's Middle-Income Boomers, Financial Security and the New Retirement study
of 500 middle-income Americans between ages 47 and 65 with income between $25,000
and $75,000, found that nearly all (95 percent) of the survey participants have
financial concerns about retirement, particularly around healthcare (80 percent),
and are taking drastic measures to cut costs.
The report cites two in three (64 percent) have taken action to reduce their healthcare
expenses, including holding off going to the doctor (55 percent), postponing an
elective surgery (26 percent) or changing to a less expensive healthcare plan (25
percent).
In addition, more than half (55 percent) of respondents say that they are spending
less on discretionary items such as dining out, vacations and gifts, and 43 percent
have reduced their credit card debt.
America's financial meltdown was a wake-up call for many middle-income Boomers and
according to the study, nearly half (47 percent) of those surveyed expect that the
changes they have made in their financial behavior will most likely be permanent.
But the current economic uncertainty continues to be a major cause for concern for
many pre-retirees, especially middle-income women. The CSR's study found that women
ages 47 to 65 tend to have more financial worries about retirement than men. Their
most pressing concerns include inflation, living longer than their savings and declines
in the stock market.
"Adequately planning and saving for retirement now is the best defense against life's
unexpected financial burdens later," said Scott Perry, president of Bankers Life
and Casualty Company, a national life and health insurer. "Set a clear retirement
goal with realistic expectations and remember to revisit your plan on a periodic
basis to address changes in your personal situation and the world around us."
Methodology
The Bankers Life and Casualty Company Center for a Secure Retirement's study Middle-Income
Boomers, Financial Security and the New Retirement was conducted in March
2011 by the independent research firm The Blackstone Group. The complete report
can be viewed at www.CenterForASecureRetirement.com
About the Center for a Secure Retirement
The Bankers Life and Casualty Company Center for a Secure Retirement is the Company's
research and consumer education program. Its studies and consumer awareness campaigns
provides insight and practical advice for how everyday Americans can achieve financial
security during retirement.
Established in 1879 in Chicago, Bankers Life and Casualty Company focuses on the
insurance needs of the retirement market. The nationwide company, a subsidiary of
CNO Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE: CNO), offers a broad portfolio of life and health
insurance retirement products designed especially for seniors.
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