RoxAnna Sway

Today’s Retirees Face Unprecedented Challenges: Part Two

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This is part two of a two-part series that explores the unique challenges facing today's retirees that earlier retiree generations did not have to worry about. Part One delineated six new challenges: The rising numbers of retirees burdened with mortgage and rent payments The inability to earn interest on low-risk savings, such as savings accounts, CDs, and Treasury bills More dependence on Social Security as company-sponsored defined-benefit pensions become obsolete, and most 401(k) accounts fall short of financial goals Loss of …

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Today’s Retirees Face Unprecedented Challenges: Part One

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Those retiring today face many challenges that earlier retiree generations did not have to think about. While Social Security and Medicare provide some critical benefits, newly emerging financial challenges will strain retirees' budgets. As recently as the 1990s, financial advisors said that retirement savings of between $100,000 and $150,000 per couple would be sufficient to last the average retirement lifetime. Today, most financial advisors recommend minimum retirement saving for a couple in a range of just under $1 million to $1.73 …

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The Gen X Factor

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We can gain some perspective on economic and retail success over the coming years by looking at how the generations have weathered the Great Recession and how they are recovering. Gen X, those born between 1965 and 1980, often gets ignored, sandwiched between the massive influence of the Boomers and the emerging power of the younger millennials. While Gen X may be smaller in numbers than either Boomers or millennials - they number at around 66 million, compared to 70-plus million Boomers and millennials-they may be in a better position to be …

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The [Coming] Millennial Home Buying Spree

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Historically, real estate has been a significant driver of the U.S. economy, accounting for 17 to 18 percent of GDP. Most economic booms in this country have gained energy from rapidly growing real estate markets and when home buying increases, it pumps money into ancillary businesses as well, including sales of appliances, furniture, decorative home goods, electronics, and even outdoor and gardening merchandise. So, retailers are holding their breath, looking forward to a full-blown millennial home buying spree. After all, how much longer …

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Demos Are Destiny

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While most retailers focus on the next quarterly balance sheet, it pays to also be alert to longer-term consumer trends. And one of the best ways to figure out the future is to pay attention to demographics, which can reveal opportunities and challenges headed our way. Population Growth Less of a Driver of the Economic Engine According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the U.S. population is growing at the slowest rate since 1937. The annual gain of only 0.7 percent in both 2016 and 2017 was the lowest rate since the Great Depression, nearly a …

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