Most Americans have financial regrets, survey shows
May 17, 2016
Seventy-five percent of Americans say they have financial regrets, according to a survey by Bankrate.com. Among those Americans, the regrets that top their list include, not saving for retirement early enough, 18 percent, and not saving enough money for emergency expenses, 13 percent.
“Inadequate savings looms large among Americans’ financial distress,” said Greg McBride, chief financial analyst for Bankrate.com. “Whether it’s saving for emergencies or retirement, Americans’ biggest financial regret is not saving enough.”
Concerns about not starting to save for retirement early enough increase with age and was the most cited financial regret for those aged 30 and up. Seventeen percent of those aged 30 to 49 had this regret, as did 24 percent of those 50 to 64, and 27 percent of senior citizens wished they’d started saving for retirement earlier.
Other areas that cause financial regret include taking on credit card debt, 9 percent, not saving enough for your children’s education, 8 percent, and excessive student loan debt, 9 percent.
Millennials have the most regrets about student loan debt, with 24 percent of adults under the age of 30 calling it their biggest financial regret.
Millennials’ focus on saving for emergencies shows in the survey results, as 21 percent of Millennials said their biggest financial regret was not saving enough for emergency expenses. Now, the survey shows, they’re saving more and they’re the only age group to say they’re more comfortable with their savings than one year ago.
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