Americans share many financial concerns. Among them are inflation, earning a competitive wage, maintaining an emergency fund and saving for retirement.
When you consider all these concerns as a whole, it's easy to see why 90% of Americans say their finances have an impact on their stress levels.
But it's not just average, everyday Americans who realize that serious trouble is brewing. BlackRock Inc.
In his annual shareholder letter, Fink warned that an aging population is putting strain on the Social Security system. And if that's not enough, people are living longer, which is exacerbating the issue.
Fink has reason to believe that things may get better.
"It's a good thing that legislators are proposing different bills and states are becoming laboratories of retirement," he said. "The benefits could be enormous for individual retirees. These new programs could also help the U.S. ensure the long-term solvency of Social Security. That's what Australia found - their superannuation guarantee relieved the financial tension in their country's public pension program."
But that's only part of the problem.
Fink also touched on the fact that only "4-in-10 Americans don't have $400 to spare to cover an emergency like a car repair or hospital visit."
With that, it's easy to see why so many people fall behind in saving for retirement. They don't have the money they need today, so the furthest thing on their minds is saving for a retirement that's 20, 30 or even 40 years away.
"Studies show that when people have emergency savings, they're 70% more likely to invest for retirement," he wrote. "But this is where workers run into another barrier: Investing is complex even if you can afford it."
This leads to challenges such as:
- Younger Americans and a knowledge barrier: Younger Americans have the financial means but lack the necessary knowledge to start investing, making this a significant obstacle to their participation in the investment world.
- Perceived financial inaccessibility: Many people feel that their current financial situations - characterized by limited disposable income, the need for higher earnings or substantial debt - prevent them from investing. This perception emphasizes a common view of investing as something beyond reach for a significant part of the population.
- Widespread need for financial education: A gap in investment education leaves many potential investors feeling unprepared. The desire for more knowledge and understanding of investing underscores a broad-based demand for enhanced financial literacy.
