A recent survey reveals that over half of retirees in the United States would have planned their retirement differently if given the chance.

The most significant regret among older Americans is not starting to save for retirement earlier. Retirees also want investments that provide a steady income stream and automatic paychecks from their retirement assets. Additionally, many retirees feel they should have prepared better for unexpected events like inflation and market volatility by investing in solutions that protect them from losses. Annuities are a great option to address these concerns.

New research by LIMRA and Life Happens shows two significant trends: life insurance is key to financial security and gender gaps extend to life insurance coverage.

Financial Security with Life Insurance

Financial insecurity affects all age groups, but one thing is clear: having life insurance increases Americans' feeling of financial security. 68% of life insurance owners feel financially secure compared with 47% of non-owners, and those who feel most secure have coverage both through their employer and a separate individual policy. The study also showed that the COVID-19 pandemic had increased awareness of the need for life insurance, with 31% of those surveyed saying they are more likely to buy life insurance in 2022.  

Nearly 15 million students are enrolled in fall semester classes throughout the United States this year. Approximately 72 percent of those students have received at least some form of financial aid according to the Washington Post. Those who do not receive financial aid will need to file a Free Application For Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, form to receive funding. That form is a lifeline to many students not able to pay for their higher education otherwise. This begs the question: What are people whose incomes have been damaged by COVID-19 supposed to do now?