TD Ameritrade Survey: Gen Y Saving More Rigorously for Retirement Than Their Parents & Grandparents

Boomers missing out on "catch-up" opportunities

OMAHA, Neb.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- The "Entitled Generation" they are not — at least not when it comes to planning for their retirement. According to a new survey of working Americans from TD Ameritrade Holding Corporation (NASDAQ: AMTD), members of Generation X and Y appear to have embraced the concept, and responsibilities, of self-directed investing more so than their Boomer and Mature parents and grandparents.

While investors as a whole continued to make steady progress toward their long-term financial goals in 2011, despite a turbulent stock market and economy, this survey reveals that many older Americans are missing out on opportunities that could position them for further success.

The vast majority of working Americans have the basics. According to the survey, 85 percent have an Individual Retirement Account (IRA) and/or a 401(k)/403(b) plan. And, more than a third (36%) have both. But, it's the younger generation of workers who are more diligently saving: 25 percent of Gen Y and 23 percent of Gen X are funding both their 401(k)/403(b) plans and their IRAs, compared to 16 percent of Boomers and 9 percent of Matures. Yet, 74 percent of Boomers are not completely confident that they will reach their savings goal by the time they are ready to retire.

"The good news is that many working Americans, especially those who are young, are taking advantage of saving for retirement in a tax-free environment through options like an IRA, despite a tough economy," said Carrie Braxdale, managing director, investor services, TD Ameritrade, Inc., a broker dealer subsidiary of TD Ameritrade Holding Corporation. "But funding these accounts on a regular basis is the key — even if it's a small amount. Every year that you don't fund your IRA is lost opportunity for tax deferral to help with growth."

Many Boomers are also missing out on another chance to bolster their retirement savings. Among the 50+ crowd, those eligible for the "catch-up contribution," a feature allowing them to contribute an additional $5,500 to an employer-sponsored retirement plan, more than two-thirds (68%) are not taking advantage of the opportunity. Half of them are skipping out because they can't afford it, but another 21 percent said they had never heard of it.

"We have uncovered a tremendous educational opportunity for many Americans — whether you are approaching retirement or have more time to plan. In these difficult economic times, more and more Americans are finding that they are not prepared for retirement," Braxdale continued. "We encourage investors of all ages to have a candid discussion with their broker or financial advisor about opportunities, like catch-up contributions, that might make sense for their retirement saving and investing plans."

TD Ameritrade's Retirement Center offers a number of free resources that can help investors explore many of these questions — and more — including:

1. A "Cost of Waiting" Calculator that can help you understand why starting earlier is better in the long run

2. Retirement planning checklists for every life stage, whether you are starting, nearing or arriving at retirement

3. Retirement articles from third-party professionals at Standard & Poor's that cover a number of topics like getting started for today's young workers, managing market volatility and maximizing retirement income

4. Online retirement seminars that cover topics like small business retirement plans, making the most of your retirement and understanding Social Security, Medicare and retirement

For more information on TD Ameritrade's Annual Investor Index survey series, including key findings, visit www.amtd.com, or follow the Company on Twitter, @TDAmeritradePR.

TD Ameritrade does not provide tax advice. We suggest you consult with a tax-planning professional with regard to your personal circumstances.

TD Ameritrade, Inc. and Standard & Poor's are separate unaffiliated companies and are not responsible for each other's content, services or policies. Standard & Poor's is a trademark of the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

Survey Methodology
These results are based on a survey conducted by Maritz, Inc. on behalf of TD Ameritrade Holding Corporation. One thousand five hundred and nine (1,509) adults between 22 and 81 years participated in a telephone survey from July 20 through August 17, 2011. Among these respondents, 854 are working full-time or part-time.

The margin of error in this survey of working Americans is ±3.4%. This means that in 19 cases out of 20, survey results based on 854 respondents will differ by no more than 3.4 percentage points in either direction from what would have been obtained by seeking the opinions of all working adults living in the United States age 22 through 81. Maritz, Inc. and TD Ameritrade Holding Corporation are separate, unaffiliated companies and are not responsible for each other's products and services The generations are defined as follows: Mature: born 1930-1945; Boomer: born 1946-1964; Gen X: born 1965-1976; Gen Y: born 1977-1989.

About Maritz
St. Louis-based Maritz is a sales and marketing services company, which helps companies achieve their full potential through understanding, enabling, and motivating employees, channel partners, and customers. Maritz provides market and customer research, communications, learning solutions, incentive initiatives, rewards and recognition, effective meeting, event and incentive travel management services, and customer loyalty programs. For more information, visit www.maritz.com or contact us at 1-877-4MARITZ.

About TD Ameritrade Holding Corporation
Millions of investors and independent registered investment advisors (RIAs) have turned to TD Ameritrade's (NASDAQ: AMTD) technology, people and education to help make investing and trading easier to understand and do. Online or over the phone. In a branch or with an independent RIA. First-timer or sophisticated trader. Our clients want to take control, and we help them decide how — bringing Wall Street to Main Street for more than 36 years. An official sponsor of the 2012 U.S. Olympic Team, TD Ameritrade has time and again been recognized as a leader in investment services. Please visit TD Ameritrade's newsroom or www.amtd.com for more information.

Brokerage services provided by TD Ameritrade, Inc., member FINRA (www.FINRA.org)/ SIPC (www.SIPC.org) /NFA (www.nfa.futures.org).

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

Source: TD Ameritrade Holding Corporation

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