Though More Comfortable with Volatility, Americans Still Lean toward Protecting Retirement Savings

Business Wire

Allianz Life’s 2018 Market Perceptions Study finds Consumers Concerned about their Nest Egg and Ability to Recover from Significant Market Drop

Key Findings Snapshot:

35% of Americans said they are comfortable with market conditions and ready to invest – up from 26% in 2015
37% admit that recent volatility is making them anxious about their nest egg
57% are willing to give up potential gains for a product that protects a portion of their retirement savings – up from 48% in 2015

MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Americans are becoming more comfortable with market volatility in the short term, but market gyrations so far this year have them increasingly interested in finding ways to protect their savings from such volatility. According to the 2018 Market Perceptions Study* from Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America (Allianz Life^®), more than a third (35%) of Americans said they are comfortable with current market conditions, up from 26% in 2015. However, 37% admit recent volatility is making them anxious about their nest egg and a similar amount (38%) said that if the market experienced a significant drop causing them to lose a lot of money, there is no way they could rebuild their savings in time for retirement.

The desire for protection from these concerns has increased since the 2015 Market Perceptions Study.** When asked about their retirement planning, 57% of Americans said they are willing to give up some potential gains for a product that protects a portion of their retirement savings, up from 48% in 2015. Furthermore, when asked about important actions to take 5-10 years before the start of retirement to help make sure they have a more secure retirement, nearly a third (31%) said “putting some of my money into a financial product that offers a balance of potential growth (up to 10%) and some level of protection (no loss of money if the market goes down 10%).”

This need for protection in part comes from expectations of future volatility. A significant portion of Americans still fear a big market crash (42%) or a major recession on the horizon (44%). As a result, interest in financial products that offer a balance of growth potential and protection is growing.

“Volatility matters, and while we see some increasing comfort with volatility, it is driving a simmering anxiety in many Americans,” said Paul Kelash, vice president of Consumer Insights for Allianz Life. “This anxiety about the negative effects volatility can have on their retirement savings is very real and people are still searching for the right solutions.”

The preference for a balanced financial product was even more pronounced for wealthier Americans. More than three-fourths (78%) of respondents with $200K+ in investable assets said it is important to them to have some of their savings in a financial product that protects it from market loss (versus 69% of those with less than $200K in investable assets) and 68% said they are willing to give up some potential gains for a product that protects a portion of their retirement savings (versus 55% of those with less than $200K in investable assets).

After staying below its long-term average for most of 2017, market volatility, as measured by the Cboe Volatility Index or VIX, has been more dynamic this year. In February, the VIX index spiked 115% on one day as equities sold off significantly, and saw elevated levels throughout March due to increased geopolitical tensions. Although the VIX index has edged back toward normal levels, it is still elevated from the low levels seen throughout 2017.

“As market volatility becomes a more constant part of our financial landscape, Americans are recognizing the value of options that provide both opportunity and a level of protection,” added Kelash. “Because we can’t be certain when the next major downturn will occur, it’s important that people have the ability to grow their retirement savings while still safeguarding their financial future.”

About Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America

Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America, one of FORTUNE’s 100 Best Companies to Work For® in 2018, has been keeping its promises since 1896. Today, it carries on that tradition, helping Americans achieve their retirement income and protection goals with a variety of annuities and life insurance products. In 2017, Allianz Life provided a total of $2.7 billion in benefit payments that supported policyholders’ financial objectives. As a leading provider of fixed index annuities, Allianz Life is part of Allianz SE, a global leader in the financial services industry with 142,000 employees in more than 70 countries worldwide. More than 85 million private and corporate customers rely on Allianz knowledge, global reach, and capital strength to help them make the most of financial opportunities.

*Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America conducted an online survey, the 2018 Market Perceptions Study, in April 2018 with a nationally representative sample of 803 respondents age 18+, who are currently not retired. An additional 234 respondents with investable assets of $200K+ completed the survey (515 total respondents with investable assets $200K+).

**Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America conducted an online survey, the 2015 Market Perceptions Study, in October 2015 with a nationally representative sample of 797 respondents ages 18+ who are currently not retired.