Survey Finds Americans Pushing Back Retirement for Lack of Savings

NEW YORK – More Americans are pushing back their retirement dates as they expect they will outlive savings stashed away for their golden years. According to the “Rethinking Retirement” survey from the Gallup Organization for Zurich-based UBS AG, a financial-services company, 57% of respondents said they plan to wait until after age 62 to retire. Two years ago, 47% said they planned to retire after 62. In 1998, only 36% of respondents said they planned to wait until age 62 to leave their jobs. The survey data came from 612 “nonretired” investors and 412 retired investors, all of whom have more than $10,000 in investable assets. Those surveyed that indicated they are still working, estimated they would need at least $4,000 a month to live on during their retirement years. That’s nearly the same amount current retirees surveyed said they actually need, according to the survey. Fifty-one percent of respondents approaching retirement said they were “very” or “somewhat” concerned that they would outlive their retirement savings, a concern shared by 35% of those already retired. Of those approaching retirement, 74% said they had plans to do “occasional work” or consulting to help pay for their living expenses. Of those who are currently retired, only 35% said they were actually involved in either of these jobs.The UBS study also indicates many Americans could have unrealistic expectations about their ability to work in later life. Among survey participants approaching retirement, 74% said they plan to do “consulting” or “occasional work” for pay in retirement. But among those surveyed who are already retired, only 35% said they were involved in such jobs. Forty-seven percent of those approaching retirement said they planned to “pursue a hobby” as a way to make money.