According to the recently released 2024 California State Employees Financial Preparedness Report, having enough money to retire is the top personal financial concern (63%) for active State employees. That concern is higher than concerns over meeting monthly bills and paying down debt.
When asked how they would rate the overall status of their retirement financial plans, only 28% said they are on track, and 2 said they are ahead of schedule. The remaining 69% say they are behind where they’d like to be.
It is true that the feeling of being financially prepared for retirement grows with age. For instance, 41% of workers in their 60s feel on track. But 32% of workers under age 30 also feel on track or ahead of schedule, indicating there is more to feeling financially prepared than simply numbers and cents.
Shared Characteristics
It is important to note that those who say they are financially prepared for retirement aren’t necessarily older. They may not have the highest retirement balances or own their home.
Research shows that there are employees of the State of California who feel financially prepared in every age group, from every metro area, in every household shape and size, and with different amounts in their retirement portfolio.
Yet, these employees share several characteristics.
7 Traits of Financially Prepared State Employees
The 2024 Report on California State Employees Financial Preparedness found that California State employees who feel on track or ahead of schedule in their overall retirement picture are more likely to share seven traits:
- Disciplined monthly budgeting. Whether by spreadsheet or app, those who say they are on track or ahead of schedule work with a budget, and not just “sometimes.” Budgeting is a habit for them.
- Use a professional advisor (or have the knowledge to DIY their planning). Most employees who collaborate with an advisor say they are a Certified Financial Professional (CFP). They are satisfied with their advisor, citing their performance, honesty, and transparency in providing advice for their unique situation.
- Adequate emergency savings for their situation. Those who said they feel financially prepared for retirement also have an emergency reserve fund allocated strictly for emergencies. Many of those with $5,000-$10,000 in savings felt it was “adequate”; those with $25,000 or more in savings for emergency use say it is “more than enough.”
- Invested retirement savings beyond their pension. Financially prepared State workers of all ages know the expected amount of pension they will receive. But they have planned beyond just their pension. They have savings in a 401(k) or 457-type of retirement plan, to supplement their pension and increase their retirement income.
- Protect their family with life insurance and feel somewhat prepared or very prepared about the financial stability of their loved ones in the event of their death. Overall, 37% are very concerned about having enough life insurance. Nearly 60% of married households have life insurance.
- Knowledgeable or very knowledgeable about personal finance issues, including retirement planning, investments, insurance, and banking decisions. Those who are most knowledgeable also say they are confident in the personal financial decisions they are making for themselves and their families.
- Significantly less debt. Those who say they are on track or ahead of schedule for retirement also carry less debt beyond a mortgage and car payment. They are least likely to carry a credit card balance or other consumer debt.
Those who say they feel behind where they’d like to be for retirement are more apt to say they have multiple sources of credit card and personal loan debt. They tend to have limited knowledge about finances and investing and get advice from family and friends, rather than from a financial professional. They are also very concerned about meeting their monthly financial obligations and paying down debt amid rising interest rates and the increasing cost-of-living. More importantly, some 40% do not know what their pension will be when they do retire, and they are less likely to have any additional retirement or emergency savings.
Feeling confident about retirement finances, regardless of age or position with the State, is built upon knowledge of your unique personal financial situation, the actions of disciplined budgeting, saving, and spending, and an attitude toward staying out of debt.
How Do You Compare?
The report excerpts shown below highlight Retirement Savings by Age and Emergency Savings by Age. This information can help you find relevant benchmarks and set your own goals.
Retirement Savings by Age
Emergency Savings by Age
See more results and personal financial advice from peers in the 2024 California State Employees Financial Preparedness Report
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Q & A with Russel L. Phelps, Certified Financial Planner
DIYing Your Own Retirement Savings Plan? Here’s What You Need to Know
Behind Schedule in Saving for Retirement? 9 Tips from California State Retirees
About the Survey: The project was sponsored by the nonprofit California State Employees Association (CSEA) which provides member benefits to members of SEIU Local 1000, CSUEU Local 2579, Association of California State Supervisors and California State Retirees.
The 2024 Report is based on the quantitative study of California State employees across the state, examining their personal financial planning needs, concerns, attitudes, and behaviors for a secure retirement. The report includes insights gleaned from nearly 5,000 active and retired State employees surveyed in November 2023. Individual responses were strictly anonymous. N=3,817 Active employees analyzed at 95% confidence, ±2%. N=1,172 Retirees, 95% level of confidence, ±2% margin of error.
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