Most Boomer Veterans Are Confident About Their Retirement Despite Pandemic and Market Uncertainties
According to the Charles Schwab 2020 Modern Retirement Survey, 88% of Boomer veterans are confident about their retirement lifestyle despite the pandemic. Conducted among 400 respondents aged 55 to 75 with over $100,000 in investable assets, 87% expect a better quality of life than their parents. However, they foresee needing an average of $130,000 annually to maintain their desired lifestyle. The survey highlights that while many have maintained their investment strategies, 54% worry about market volatility affecting their plans.
- 88% of Boomer veterans are confident about their retirement lifestyle.
- 87% expect a better quality of life than their parents.
- Survey respondents have an average of $980,000 in retirement savings.
- 54% of respondents are worried about market volatility impacting retirement plans.
- 18% experienced financial impacts due to COVID-19.
SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Amidst a global pandemic and economic uncertainties, Boomer veterans invested for retirement are confident that they will still enjoy their golden years. According to veteran respondents of the Charles Schwab 2020 Modern Retirement Survey, 88 percent of Boomers who were former members of the military are confident their lifestyle in retirement will be everything that they envision.
The first-time survey was conducted among 400 veterans aged 55 to 75 with at least
Among those surveyed, 87 percent anticipate their quality of life in retirement will be better than that of their parents and 84 percent believe their quality of life in retirement will be better than that of their children. Further solidifying that these Boomer veterans are ready to make the most of their golden years, nearly two-thirds (63 percent) said they would rather spend their money in retirement than leave an inheritance for their children.
On average, Boomer veteran survey respondents have accumulated
Although this amount seems ample, the survey respondents also believe they need
“Military service members are trained to be confident and disciplined, and for those in our survey, it seems that carries over into their finances,” said Danielle Munoz, vice president and leader of Charles Schwab’s virtual branch network. Munoz and her team joined Schwab as part of its USAA acquisition which closed earlier this year. “But we also know many Americans, including active duty military and veterans, often live paycheck to paycheck, which can make the idea of retirement even more overwhelming. That’s why it’s important for everyone to put pen to paper. Having a basic plan in writing can help Boomer veterans make sure that the math adds up between their savings and other potential sources of income like Social Security or even a military pension.”
COVID-19 prompts impacted Boomers to refocus priorities
Despite an ongoing global pandemic, Schwab’s survey found that more than three in four (76 percent) of Boomer veterans’ lifestyle priorities in retirement remain the same as before:
- Stay fit and healthy (97 percent)
- Spend time with family (95 percent)
- Spend time at home (93 percent)
Eighteen percent of survey respondents say they or their spouse were financially impacted by COVID-19 through a salary cut or reduced hours, being laid off or furloughed, or having to retire earlier than planned. Still, Schwab’s survey found that Boomer veterans surveyed have largely stayed the course and stuck to their plan, as only four percent of respondents withdrew money from retirement accounts more due to COVID-19.
Though most Boomer veterans say they either didn’t lose much of their retirement savings during the March 2020 market slide (36 percent) or that their portfolio has since recovered (25 percent), more than half (54 percent) are worried about future market volatility impacting their retirement plans—more than the presidential election (30 percent) and the ongoing pandemic (16 percent).
Written plans help Boomers’ retirement savings go the distance
Schwab’s survey found that Boomer veterans laid the groundwork for financial preparedness early. A third (34 percent) of those surveyed began saving for retirement in their 20s, while 36 percent began in their 30s. A fifth (20 percent) waited until their 40s, while smaller subsets waited until their 50s (eight percent), 60s (one percent) and 70s (one percent).
Half (50 percent) of Boomers surveyed say COVID-19 has made them more focused on developing a clear financial plan for retirement.
But Boomers can do better when it comes to planning according to Schwab’s survey: only 39 percent have a written plan to help them achieve their financial goals in retirement. Far more (58 percent) say they’ve saved but haven’t put it in writing.
“A written plan can help smooth the transition from saving for retirement to living off your savings and help ensure that your portfolio can go the distance,” said Munoz. “A plan can help you understand your strategy for withdrawals and how they can work with other sources of income as well as your tax situation.”
About the Survey
The online survey was conducted by Logica Research, among 416 veterans aged 55 to 75 with at least
About Charles Schwab
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1Retirement savings includes assets in their 401(k), other workplace retirement accounts and Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs)
