Americans show optimism in their finances
Americans are more optimistic about their financial future, according to Principal Financial Group Inc.’s latest Well-Being Index.
The number of workers expressing concern about their long-term financial future dropped 11 percentage points from the fourth quarter of 2010 to 61 percent in the current quarter. Retirees also were more optimistic, as 43 percent agreed they are “extremely happy” about their current financial well being, up from 36 percent the previous quarter.
More than a quarter of employees and 20 percent of retirees are optimistic regarding their economic outlook for 2011, and 45 percent of workers and 57 percent of retirees are cautious, though only 15 and 17 percent, respectively, identified themselves as pessimistic.
The index is released quarterly by Principal and is conducted by Harris Interactive.