FILE - In this Oct. 13, 2011 file photo, Oakland Mayor Jean Quan gestures during a news conference at Oakland City Hall in Oakland, Calif. The city of Oakland took a big risk this year when it decided to borrow nearly $213 million to cover pensions owed to its retired police and firefighters. Rather than laying off more staff or reducing library services, leaders in this Northern California port city are betting that the stock market will improve. (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma, File)

Retirement confidence low, despite market's climb

Published: 08:31:17 PM, Tue 19 March 2013 UTC

The stock market has climbed back to a record high, but workers remain pessimistic about having enough money for retirement. The Employee Benefit Research Institute's annual retirement confidence survey shows nearly half of workers have little or no confidence that they'll have a financially comfortable retirement.

Here's a look at some of the findings from the 23rd annual survey released Tuesday:

Respondents who are very confident about having enough money for a comfortable retirement: 13 percent

— Somewhat confident: 38 percent

— Not too confident: 21 percent

— Not at all confident: 28 percent

Percentage of workers identifying the following issues as the most pressing concerns that most Americans face, followed by the percentage of retirees identifying that issue:

— Job uncertainty: 30 percent, 27 percent

— Making ends meet: 12 percent for both groups

— The budget deficit and government spending: 8 percent, 14 percent

— Paying for health insurance and medical expenses: 9 percent, 10 percent

— The economy: 8 percent, 6 percent

— Taxes: 8 percent, 5 percent

— Making mortgage payments: 8 percent, 4 percent

— Saving for retirement: 2 percent, 4 percent

Percentage of workers reporting that they could definitely come up with $2,000 if an unexpected need arose within the next month, followed by the percentage of retirees:

— 50 percent, 52 percent

Percentage who could probably come up with $2,000:

— 20 percent, 17 percent

Percentage who could probably or definitely not come up with $2,000:

—28 percent for each group

___

Methodology: 1,003 workers aged 25 and older and 251 retirees who were randomly interviewed by telephone in January. The statistical margin of error is plus or minus 3 percentage points.

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