More than half of Americans say they are in financial recovery mode

More than half of Americans say they are in financial recovery mode
Northwestern Mutual survey finds most respondents' financial planning is focused on the short term, with only 14% actively planning more than five years out.
JUN 24, 2021

While 58% of U.S. adults say they are in financial recovery mode as a result of the pandemic, 89% of them are confident they will ultimately achieve a full financial comeback.

That’s the key finding of a survey conducted by Northwestern Mutual, which found that average personal savings rose more than 10%, from $65,900 last year to $73,100 currently, and average retirement savings increased 13%, from $87,500 to $98,800.

The survey also found that while 33% of people say they have been able to save more over the last year, 31% say they are saving less or stopped saving altogether and 9% say they have had to dig into savings and are going backwards.

Among those who say they are in financial recovery mode, the survey found that only 14% are actively planning more than five years out, while 24% are planning month-to-month.

“Maintaining momentum over time will require a long-term view, and the study shows that planning horizons today are quite short,” Northwestern Mutual said in a release.

The survey of 2,320 Americans 18 or older was conducted between March 16 and March 26.

Putting a price tag on ransomware attacks

Latest News

Merrill to pay $39 million in cash sweep settlement
Merrill to pay $39 million in cash sweep settlement

The financial advice industry has been facing inquiries into its cash sweep programs for years now.

SEC accuses fund advisor of defrauding SpaceX, OpenAI investors
SEC accuses fund advisor of defrauding SpaceX, OpenAI investors

Investor money allegedly went to strip clubs, exotic cars, and landscaping

RIA moves: Savant enters Thousand Oaks as Procyon lands in New Jersey
RIA moves: Savant enters Thousand Oaks as Procyon lands in New Jersey

Procyon adds $415 million in assets under management in New Jersey while Savant picks up a $213 million Southern California planning firm

Beyond sell or inherit: A third exit for appreciated property
Beyond sell or inherit: A third exit for appreciated property

With a growing number of real estate-rich Baby Boomers aging into retirement, some advisors may be failing to consider all the options available for those clients' assets.

AI marketing adoption gap costs financial firms revenue
AI marketing adoption gap costs financial firms revenue

Cornerstone Advisors study reveals compliance bottlenecks stall campaigns weeks after customer opportunities close.

SPONSORED In the Age of AI, Trust Becomes the Advisor's Greatest Asset

As AI makes financial information more accessible than ever, Lana Hock explains why human judgment, trust, and empathy remain the qualities clients value most in a financial advisor

SPONSORED Direct indexing webinar targets tax-loss harvesting amid market swings

Northern Trust’s Ken Lassner shows advisors how to convert volatility into after-tax portfolio gains