Country Financial Security Index

Most Recent Releases

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
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                            August 21, 2012Americans More Optimistic About Their Financial Security In August
Americans are feeling better about their finances this month than one year ago when their confidence hit an all-time low, according to the COUNTRY Financial Security Index®. The Index inched up 0.8 points to 65.9 in August after slipping 1.1 points in June. This comes exactly one year after the Index reached its lowest reading ever at 62.4. This uptick in confidence also marks the first August increase since 2008 and the highest August Index reading since that year.
August 16, 2011Perfect Economic Storm Leads to Record-low Sentiments
Americans' ongoing uneasiness about their finances is putting some cracks in how they feel about their retirement nest eggs. The COUNTRY Financial Security Index® dropped one point to 63.7 in June, in part because confidence in retirement reached an all-time low.
February 15, 2011Americans Ring in New Year with Improved Financial Security Sentiments
Americans are beginning 2011 with renewed confidence as financial security sentiments reached their highest level since April 2010. The COUNTRY Financial Security Index(R) rose 0.8 points to 64.9 in February. This marks the first time Americans have started the year with improved sentiments since the COUNTRY Index began in 2007.
September 21, 2010Married Americans Agree How to Spend Nest Egg Even Though They're Unsure How Much They'll Have
Married people feel in harmony when it comes to managing finances in retirement, but most don't know how much they'll have. According to a new COUNTRY Financial survey, about four out of five (83 percent) of those nearing retirement age (40-64 years old) are confident they and their spouse agree about how to handle money matters in their golden years. This comes as a majority (56 percent) says they have no idea or are unsure how much monthly income they will have in retirement.
June 15, 2010Americans' Financial Security Sentiments Remain Stable at Midyear
After increasing in April, Americans' level of confidence in their overall financial security held steady in June, as the COUNTRY Financial Security Index(R) ticked down just one-tenth of a point to 64.8. A more optimistic near-term view of Americans' finances was offset by continued uncertainty about longer range issues.
April 20, 2010Financial Security Sentiments Regain Lost Ground in April
While 2010 began with dismal financial security sentiments, Americans now feel more optimistic about nearly all aspects of their financial security.
April 16, 2010Pessimism About Financial Security Might Be Slowing
  
As the debate over the direction of the economy continues, Americans' pessimism about their financial security is slowing. The latest COUNTRY Financial Security Index(R) dipped 0.3 points to 64.6 in June, marking the smallest overall decline since October 2008. 
March 16, 2010Americans Split Over Post-Recession Nest Egg
  
Americans are split when it comes to how the recession has impacted their retirement savings strategy. A COUNTRY Financial survey reveals that while 48 percent have decreased the amount of money they are putting away for their golden years, an equal number have either increased (12 percent) or maintained their level of savings (35 percent). 
May 19, 2009Parents Put Child's College Plans Ahead of Their Retirement
  
A majority of parents (61 percent) are not letting the recession change their plans for their children's college education, according to a survey by COUNTRY Financial. Further, 47 percent say college plans are a higher priority than retirement savings (41 percent).
March 17, 2009Recession Has No Effect on Mid-Income Retirement Hopes
  
The recession has forced nearly two in five (39 percent) Americans to save less for their golden years, but it hasn't changed their perception about whether middle income families can save for retirement. 

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                            February 18, 2009Financial Security Sentiments Hit New Low
  
The level of confidence Americans have about their own financial security can't find bottom under the weight of a struggling economy.

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                            October 21, 2008Americans' Financial Security Sentiments Drop in October
  
The mounting economic crisis is eroding Americans' optimism in their financial security. The COUNTRY Financial Security Index(SM) slid 1.1 points to 68.8 in October, fueled by dramatic declines among men, pre-retirees and high income individuals. 
July 15, 2008Tough Economy Pushes Americans to Make Cuts
  
Americans are cutting their spending and savings habits, but they are not yet resorting to additional debt to get through tough financial times. The new COUNTRY Financial survey shows most people are stopping short of tapping into credit and existing savings to make ends meet, despite the fact that nearly three in four Americans (73 percent) think their financial security will not improve this year.
June 17, 2008COUNTRY Index: Americans' Financial Security Sentiments Rebound
  
In a counterpoint to the current economic environment, the COUNTRY Financial Security Index(SM) jumped 1.5 points to 69.3 in June.
May 20, 2008Americans' College Choices Limited Despite Early Saving
  
As another class of college students graduates with enormous student loan debt, parents are also feeling the pinch.
April 15, 2008Americans' Financial Security Sentiments Drop to Record Low
  
Amid fears of a possible recession, Americans feel less secure about their finances now than at any other time in the last 14 months, according to the COUNTRY Financial Security Index(SM). The Index recorded its third consecutive decline in April, slipping .7 points to 67.8, marking its lowest reading to date. 
March 18, 2008Gender Gap Widens on Retirement Outlook
  
While half of Americans don't think it's possible for a middle income family to retire, the gap between men and women's sentiments on the subject continues to widen, according to a new survey by COUNTRY Financial.
February 19, 2008Americans' Short-Term Financial Worries Grow
  
The uncertain economy may be hitting home with Americans, as they continue to lose confidence in their personal level of financial security. The COUNTRY Financial Security Index recorded its second consecutive decline, slipping .3 points in February to 68.5. 
December 11, 2007Americans Troubled About Finances Now But Optimistic About 2008
  
Americans have lost confidence in their personal level of financial security, but it does not seem to have dampened their optimism about the year ahead. That's according to the survey for this month's COUNTRY Financial Security Index.
October 16, 2007Americans Feel More Financially Secure Despite Cloudy Economic Picture
  
The COUNTRY Financial Security Index continued it's upward swing in October, rising 1.3 points to 69.9, as Americans felt more confident in nearly all aspects of their financial security.