Although a majority of the affluent are still worried about their finances and retirement, the numbers have dropped from just six months ago, according to a new survey.
Nearly three quarters (73 percent) of the mass affluent surveyed still are concerned their retirement assets will not last through their lifetime, but that percentage is down from 83 percent just six months ago, according to the Bank of America Fall 2012 Merrill Edge Report.
Likewise, 84 percent are concerned about the rising cost of health care, down from 89 percent in April. The survey was done in October and took answers from 1,001 people with $50,000 to $250,000 in investable assets.
The survey found that one third of the couples discussed their finances with their significant other more often then they discussed their sex lives. Sixty-nine percent discussed their finances at least a few times a month.
Almost three fourths (73 percent) of those between 10 and 19 years from retirement have made changes to the way they save for retirement over the past year. Trimming everyday costs so they can save more is the solution for 36 percent and 21 percent have started working with a financial advisor.
More than half of all respondents (56 percent) are planning to retire later than they planned a year ago. Almost as many (52 percent) have saved less than $250,000 for retirement.
"We are beginning to see a positive shift in perspective in how mass affluent consumers view their future," says Dean Athanasia, president of preferred and small business banking at Bank of America. "This improvement is not just indicative of a changing mindset-we're seeing our clients take action."
-Karen DeMasters