Rethink Retirement™ Survey Media Zone
Ever since 2003, Desjardins Financial Security has been asking Canadians what they are thinking about saving and retirement planning. In doing so, we can better assist them by promoting awareness and developing products and services that are well-suited to their needs.
2009 Edition
Our eight annual survey exploring how prepared people are for their retirement was conducted by SOM in August 2009. In total, 1,524 interviews were conducted with a representative sample of Canadian adults. The data was statistically weighted to accurately reflect the composition of Canadians by region, gender, age and language (mother tongue) based on 2006 Census information.
Review the 2009 Rethink Retirement™ survey highlights (pdf, 130 kb).
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Take a look at the press release: "So long, Retirement"
Canadians have a pretty good idea as to how they want to transition to retirement, but many haven't given planning it much thought. Find out more by reading our brochure, "Planning" (pdf, 406 kb).
The mass exodus of Canadian baby boomers may not be as dramatic as originally expected. See why by taking a look at the detailed results of the 2009 Rethink Retirement™ survey. (pdf, 31 kb)
One respondent out of ten to the Rethink Retirement™ survey says he will never retire, whereas close to one in two (47%) is hoping to transition to retirement by gradually reducing his work hours. Desjardins Financial Security asked Charles Feaver, from YoungRetired.ca, to comment on this new trend. You can view the video in the Meet the Experts section.
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Take a look at the press release: "Is the credit madness over?"
We are a nation of spenders – and it’s taking a toll on our financial security. Canadian consumers slow down for recessions, when consumer sentiment dips along with spending, but they pick up where they left off as the economy recovers. Find out more by reading this exclusive article: "The urge to splurge" (pdf, 112 kb).
After the recession and job losses, many Canadian workers and retirees are facing a new challenge: increased debt. See the detailed results of the 2009 Rethink Retirement™ survey. (pdf, 53 kb)
In the winter of 2008, the Certified General Accountants Association of Canada (CGA-Canada) embarked on a second consumer survey on the topic of household debt and consumption in Canada. Review the results on their site.
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Take a look at the press release: "Have Canadians kicked the saving habit?"
Much to the disappointment of financial institutions, Canadian household savings took a tumble during the years of economic growth. Did last year's recession teach us anything? Find out by reading this exclusive article: "What we learned (or not) from the recession" (pdf, 455 kb).
Numbers don't lie when it comes to Canadians' saving habits. See the detailed results of the 2009 Rethink Retirement™ survey. (pdf, 52 ko)
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Take a look at the press release: "What's life like for today's retirees?"
Life is treating many of today’s retirees relatively well, despite last year’s unnerving investment markets. They may continue to work, on and off, and be more nervous about their finances, but most of them are still able to enjoy the rewards they earned during their working life. Find out more by reading these exclusive articles: "Life begins at 60!" (pdf, 40 kb) and "Not living on love alone" (pdf, 35 kb).
With all the emphasis on retirement planning, very little attention has been paid to actual retirees and how they are currently "living the dream". Desjardins Financial Security asked Charles Feaver, from YoungRetired.ca, to tell us about what life is like for a retiree in 2009. You can view the video in the Meet the Experts section.
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Take a look at the press release: "Who did the recession hurt more: workers or retirees?"
Survey results indicate that workers and retirees may have coped with the recession differently. For more information on these differences, read these two exclusive articles: "How did workers fare in the recession?" (pdf, 33 kb) and "Why does the economy have retirees worried?" (pdf, 33 kb).
We asked Desjardins Financial Security's Michael Aziz, Vice-President, Individual Savings Products, to talk to us about how Canadians are coping with the current economic climate. You can view the video in the Meet the Experts section.
The recession has also been hard on our neighbors from the south. The report "What a difference a year makes" (pdf, 345 kb) produced by LIMRA and the Society of Actuaries in early 2009 outlines the impacts that the recession has had on American retirees.
2008 Edition
To download our "Rethink Retirement" booklet that releases the results of our 2008 Retirement Survey, visit the Rethink Retirement centre. You will also find a lot of useful information about retirement issues.