A New Definition of Financial Success?

OMAHA, Neb., May 03, 2010 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- More than a third (39 percent) of Americans define "financial success" as being debt-free, according to a recent survey released by TD AMERITRADE Holding Corporation (NASDAQ: AMTD). Another 29 percent of respondents define "financial success" as being able to save money for long-term goals such as education and retirement.

"These findings show the true impact the past few years have had on Americans and the way they think about money," said Diane Young, director of retirement and goal planning, TD AMERITRADE. "While it is promising that people understand the importance of eliminating debt, there is a big need to focus on saving for retirement and then, perhaps education. The idea is to find a way to control debt while saving."

Young partially attributes the tendency to rely on credit during down times for the mounting debts that are forcing many Americans into short-term financial planning, as opposed to saving and investing for the future.

"Between job losses, declining home values and poor market conditions, it has become harder for many Americans to afford the lifestyle they were once accustomed to, or to simply make ends meet in some cases," said Young. "It's important to determine exactly where your money is going and try to reallocate even a small portion towards savings. What starts out as a small contribution today can grow over time."

Other key findings from the survey include:

• 51 percent of those ages 65+ define "financial success" as being debt-free, compared to only 30 percent of those ages 18-34 who reported the same.
• Married respondents with no children were more likely to define "financial success" as being debt-free, with 46 percent reporting so, versus only 37 percent of those married with children.
• 37 percent of singles with children define "financial success" as saving money every month for long-term goals such as education and retirement, compared to 23 percent of singles with no children who report the same.
• 18 percent of men with children define "financial success" as being able to indulge and pay for it, compared to 11 percent of women with children who report the same.

TD AMERITRADE offers these five guidelines for investors hoping to get back on track and start planning for the future:

1. Set your goals and outline a plan and budget that will enable you to meet them.
2. If you are employed, continue to contribute to an employer-sponsored retirement plan if available.
3. Start an automatic investing plan to help yourself consistently save every month.
4. Join financial planning groups so that you can share money saving ideas and Q & A with other like-minded people.
5. Get a fresh perspective from TD AMERITRADE's online retirement center with helpful guidance, and tools like the award-winning WealthRuler(TM) ⁽¹⁾ to assist you in getting started or putting you back on track.

For more information on investor trends, please visit the TD  AMERITRADE Newsroom.

AMTD-G

About TD AMERITRADE Holding Corporation
TD AMERITRADE Holding Corporation (NASDAQ: AMTD), through its brokerage subsidiaries, ⁽²⁾ combines innovative trading technology, easy-to-use and understand trading tools, investment services, investor education and superior client service to create a market-leading financial services experience. Now home to the award-winning thinkorswim brokerage and dynamic trading platform⁽³⁾ and the Investools investor education program, TD  AMERITRADE provides millions of retail investors, traders and independent registered investment advisors with the tools, service and support they need to help build confidence in today's rapidly-changing market environment. For more information and resources for journalists, please visit the TD  AMERITRADE newsroom at www.amtd.com.

(1)Kiplinger's Personal Finance magazine, December 2009, WealthRuler^TM named to 2009 Best List: Retirement Resources.

(2)TD AMERITRADE, Inc., member FINRA (www.FINRA.org) /SIPC (www.SIPC.org), TD AMERITRADE Clearing, Inc., member FINRA/SIPC, and thinkorswim, Inc., member FINRA/SIPC/NFA (www.nfa.futures.org).

(3)thinkorswim was rated #1 overall online broker, "best for options traders" and one of the "best for frequent traders" in Barron's ranking of online brokers, 3/15/2010. The firms were evaluated versus others in eight total categories, including trade experience, trading technology, usability, range of offerings, research amenities, portfolio analysis & reporting, customer service & education and costs. thinkorswim topped the list in 2010 with the highest weighted-average score. Barron's is a registered trademark of Dow Jones & Company ©2010

WealthRuler does not make specific asset class or security recommendations. Users enter criteria including desired retirement age, income and planned expense information, plan end date, and current value and allocation percentages of stocks, bonds and cash. The tool classifies a user into one of five portfolio strategy/risk tolerance models. These models, combined with time horizon, determine the return and risk assumptions used in the calculations. The tool runs multiple simulations to determine the likelihood of plan success, during average and poor market conditions. Results may vary with each use and over time.

For complete details on criteria, methodology, limitations and key assumptions, please see Methodologies & Assumptions

IMPORTANT: The projections or other information generated by WealthRuler regarding the likelihood of various investment outcomes are hypothetical in nature, do not reflect actual investment results and are not guarantees of future results.

Survey Methodology
These results are based on a survey conducted by Infogroup | ORC of Princeton, New Jersey on behalf of TD AMERITRADE. 1,058 adults, employed full time, part time or self employed, participated in a telephone survey conducted February 18-22 and 25-26, 2010. The margin of error in this survey is ±3 percentage points. This means that in 19 cases out of 20, survey results based on 1,058 respondents will differ by no more than three percentage points in either direction from what would have been obtained by seeking the opinions of all eligible US adults employed full time, part time or self employed. Infogroup | ORC and TD AMERITRADE Institutional are separate, unaffiliated companies and are not responsible for each other's products and services.

About Infogroup | ORC
Infogroup | ORC is a leader in global market research with expertise in Information Technology and Telecommunications, Healthcare, Financial Services, Public Services and Consumer Behavior. For more information, visit www.opinionresearch.com .

SOURCE: TD AMERITRADE Holding Corporation

TD AMERITRADE Holding Corporation
For Media:
Christina Goethe, 201-369-8541
Communications and Public Affairs
christina.goethe@tdameritrade.com
or
For Investors:
Jeff Goeser, 402-597-8464
Investor Relations
jeffrey.goeser@tdameritrade.com

Copyright Business Wire 2010