Table C.1. Which one of the following best describes your current circumstances? Percent, except as noted
Response
Rate
Refused
0.2
Married
50.3
Living with significant other/partner
8.4
Separated or divorced
11.3
Widowed
4.8
Single, never married
25.1
Number of respondents
4,134
Table C.2. Which one of the following BEST describes your living arrangement? Percent, except as noted
Response
Rate
Refused
0.2
Living alone
21.9
Living with your immediate family
61.4
Living with your adult children
2.7
Living with your (or your spouse/partner's) extended family
8.9
Living with roommate(s)
4.9
Number of respondents
4,134
Table C.3. We are interested in your present job status. Which one of the following BEST describes your current employment situation? Percent, except as noted
Response
Rate
Refused
0.2
Employed now
51.7
Temporarily laid off
0.6
Not employed, but looking for a job
7.7
Not employed and not looking for a job
2.0
Homemaker
5.4
Student
4.4
Disabled
8.5
Retired
19.4
Number of respondents
4,134
Table C.4. Thinking of your main job, do you: Percent, except as noted
Response
Rate
Refused
0.4
Work full time for someone else
75.3
Work part time for someone else
16.3
Work for yourself (self-employed)
7.2
Work in a partnership (e.g., partner in law firm, medical practice)
0.3
Work as a consultant/contractor
0.6
Number of respondents
2,149
Table C.5. Besides being a student, do you also have
a paid job? Percent, except as noted
Response
Rate
Yes, I work full time
4.1
Yes, I work part time
44.6
No
51.3
Number of respondents
145
Table C.6. Besides being retired, do you also have
a paid job? Percent, except as noted
Response
Rate
Refused
0.9
Yes, I work full time
0.6
Yes, I work part time
9.5
No
89.0
Number of respondents
971
Table C.7. Besides being self-employed, do you also have another paid job? Percent, except as noted
Response
Rate
Yes, I have another full-time job
2.5
Yes, I have another part-time job
15.6
No
81.9
Number of respondents
178
Table C.8. Which one of the following BEST describes your spouse/partner's current employment status? Percent, except as noted
Response
Rate
Refused
0.3
Employed full time
56.1
Employed part time
7.7
Not employed, but looking for a job
4.6
Not employed and not looking for a job
1.7
Homemaker
7.1
Student
1.0
Disabled
4.1
Retired
17.3
Number of respondents
2,617
Table C.9. Do you or your spouse/partner have a checking, savings, or money market account? Percent, except as noted
Response
Rate
Refused
0.8
No
9.6
Yes
89.7
Number of respondents
4,134
Table C.10. Which one of the following best describes your housing arrangement? Percent, except as noted
Response
Rate
Refused
0.9
I (and/or my spouse/partner) own my home
57.9
I (and/or my spouse/partner) pay rent
32.0
I (and/or my spouse/partner) don't own my home or pay rent
9.2
Number of respondents
4,134
Table C.11. Have you (and/or your spouse/partner) owned a home in the past 12 months? Percent, except as noted
Response
Rate
Refused
0.3
No
94.2
Yes
5.5
Number of respondents
1,368
Table C.12. Do you (and/or your spouse/partner/significant other) currently have a mortgage on your home? Percent, except as noted
Response
Rate
Refused
0.9
No
36.5
Yes
62.6
Number of respondents
2,732
Table C.13. Do you (and/or your spouse/partner/significant other) currently have a home equity loan or home equity line of credit in addition to your first mortgage? Percent, except as noted
Response
Rate
Refused
0.3
No
74.5
Yes
20.0
Don't know
5.3
Number of respondents
1,675
Table C.14. Do you currently owe any money or have any loans that you used to pay for the education of
anyone below? Percent, except as noted
Response
Rate
Your own education
15.8
Spouse/partner's education
7.5
Child's education
5.7
Grandchild's education
0.6
Number of respondents
4,134
Table C.15. In the last 12 months, have you applied
for any credit? Percent, except as noted
Response
Rate
Refused
1.2
No
67.4
Yes
31.4
Number of respondents
4,134
Table C.16. In which of the following age ranges do you expect to retire fully? Percent, except as noted
Response
Rate
Refused
1.2
Under 55
6.0
56 to 60
9.2
61 to 64
13.1
65 to 68
23.5
69 to 72
11.2
Over 72
6.4
Will never stop working
8.6
Not sure
20.9
Number of respondents
3,275
Table C.17. In the past 12 months, did you spend any money on state lotteries? Percent, except as noted
Response
Rate
Refused
1.2
No
55.1
Yes
43.7
Number of respondents
4,134
Table C.18. In the past 12 months, did you participate in other types of gambling for money? Percent, except as noted
Response
Rate
Refused
1.1
No
81.5
Yes
17.4
Number of respondents
4,134
Table C.19. Do you own any stock in publicly traded companies directly? Percent, except as noted
Response
Rate
Refused
1.2
No
59.6
Yes
33.0
Don't know
6.2
Number of respondents
4,134
Table C.20. Please select all the reasons below for why you rent your home rather than own your home: Percent, except as noted
Response
Rate
Cheaper to rent than own
22.8
More convenient to rent
24.4
I plan on moving in the near future
20.1
Can't qualify for a mortgage
29.1
Can't afford down payment
45.3
Prefer to rent
19.6
Currently looking to buy a home
9.7
Other
8.9
Refused
1.6
1,051
1,051
Table C.21. Over the past 12 months, have you had to cut back on any spending so that you could make your monthly rent payment? Percent, except as noted
Response
Rate
Refused
1.3
No
43.6
Yes, had to cut back a little
23.3
Yes, had to cut back some
15.2
Yes, had to cut back a lot
16.7
Number of respondents
1,051
Table C.22. Compared to five years ago (since 2008), do you think the value of your home today is higher, lower, or stayed the same? Percent, except as noted
Response
Rate
Refused
0.8
Lower value
45.2
Value has stayed the same
19.5
Higher value
26.9
Don't Know
7.5
Number of respondents
2,222
Table C.23. In the next 12 months, how much, if at all,
do you think that home prices in your neighborhood
will change? Percent, except as noted
Response
Rate
Refused
0.4
Go down by more than 5 percent
3.4
Go down by 5 percent or less
4.9
Stay about the same
36.8
Go up by 5 percent or less
25.8
Go up by more than 5 percent
13.5
Don't know
15.1
Number of respondents
2,732
Table C.24. Thinking about the past 12 months, did you want to sell your home, but did not or could not? Percent, except as noted
Response
Rate
Refused
1.0
Yes, I put it on the market, but could not sell it
1.9
Yes, I wanted to sell, but did not put it on the market
9.1
No, I did not want to sell
85.6
No, I was able to sell my home, or it's currently on the market
2.5
Number of respondents
2,732
Table C.25. Was the current market value an important reason for why you did not sell your home? Percent, except as noted
Response
Rate
Refused
0.3
No
27.3
Yes
72.4
Number of respondents
277
Table C.26. Do you and/or your spouse/partner live with someone else so you can save money? Percent, except as noted
Response
Rate
Refused
1.4
No
48.0
Yes
50.6
Number of respondents
327
Table C.27. Would you live on your own if you
could afford it? Percent, except as noted
Response
Rate
Refused
1.6
No
25.2
Yes
73.2
Number of respondents
327
Table C.28. Are you (and your family) planning to live on your own in the next 12 months? Percent, except as noted
Response
Rate
Refused
3.2
Definitely no
22.0
Probably no
32.2
Probably yes
19.7
Definitely yes
22.8
Number of respondents
327
Table C.29. Please tell us if each of these happened in the last 12 months: Percent, except as noted
Response
Rate
You or partner were turned down for credit
29.1
You or partner were not given as much credit as you applied for
14.9
You or partner put off applying because you thought you might be turned down
18.7
Number of respondents
1,359
Table C.30. In the past 12 months, have you applied for a mortgage either to refinance an existing mortgage or to buy a home? Percent, except as noted
Response
Rate
Refused
1.7
No, have not applied for a mortgage to refinance or buy a home
86.0
Yes, to refinance
7.5
Yes, to buy a home
4.2
Yes to both refinance AND to buy a home
0.6
Number of respondents
4,134
Table C.31. If you were to apply for a mortgage today,
how confident are you that your application would be approved? Percent, except as noted
Response
Rate
Refused
1.6
Very confident
33.9
Somewhat confident
18.6
Not confident
29.0
Don't know
16.9
Number of respondents
4,134
Table C.32. If it became easier to get approved for a mortgage than it is today, how likely is it that
you would apply? Percent, except as noted
Response
Rate
Refused
0.6
Very unlikely
32.4
Somewhat unlikely
18.3
Somewhat likely
27.5
Very likely
21.2
Number of respondents
1,831
Table C.33. If you were to apply for credit or a loan today, how confident are you that your application would be approved? Percent, except as noted
Response
Rate
Refused
1.6
Very confident
41.2
Somewhat confident
21.3
Not confident
22.3
Don't know
13.5
Number of respondents
4,134
Table C.34. In the past 12 months have you had a lease application for an apartment or house denied because of your credit history? Percent, except as noted
Response
Rate
Refused
1.0
No
94.7
Yes
4.2
Number of respondents
1,368
Table C.35. If you had to guess, how would you rate your current credit score? Percent, except as noted
Response
Rate
Refused
1.4
Poor
11.6
Fair
11.7
Good
15.8
Very good
21.2
Excellent
25.0
Don't know my score or how to rate it
13.2
Number of respondents
4,134
Table C.36. In the past 12 months, have you: Percent, except as noted
Response
Rate
Obtained or received a copy of your credit report
31.5
Obtained or received your credit score
34.6
Number of respondents
4,134
Table C.37. In the past 12 months, have you always paid your credit card bills in full each month? Percent, except as noted
Response
Rate
Refused
0.4
No
43.0
Yes
56.6
Number of respondents
3,263
Table C.38. In the past 12 months, have you ever: Percent, except as noted
Response
Rate
Carried over a balance on your credit card and been charged interest
82.3
Paid only the minimum payment on one or more of your credit card bills
52.5
Carried a balance on your credit card at a low-interest rate from a special offer
41.9
Used a credit card for a cash advance
11.9
Number of respondents
1,366
Table C.39. If you've borrowed money for your own education, are you: Percent, except as noted
Response
Rate
Making payments on one of these loans now
50.8
One or more loans are in deferment/forbearance so do not
34.4
Behind on payments for one or more of these loans
16.3
One or more of these loans is in collections
8.6
Number of respondents
568
Table C.40. If you've borrowed money for your spouse's education, are you: Percent, except as noted
Response
Rate
Making payments on one of these loans now
67.3
One or more loans are in deferment/forbearance so do not
21.9
Behind on payments for one or more of these loans
11.0
One or more of these loans is in collections
6.1
Number of respondents
278
Table C.41. If you've borrowed money for your child's education, are you: Percent, except as noted
Response
Rate
Making payments on one of these loans now
50.9
One or more loans are in deferment/forbearance so do not
20.3
Behind on payments for one or more of these loans
8.6
One or more of these loans is in collections
3.9
Number of respondents
290
Table C.42. If you've borrowed money for your grandchild's education, are you: Percent, except as noted
Response
Rate
Making payments on one of these loans now
47.0
One or more loans are in deferment/forbearance so do not
13.6
Behind on payments for one or more of these loans
11.9
One or more of these loans is in collections
8.2
Number of respondents
32
Table C.43. Did you complete the most recent educational program for which you borrowed money? Percent, except as noted
Response
Rate
Refused
0.3
No
24.3
Yes
47.9
Still enrolled in the program
27.5
Number of respondents
568
Table C.44. Overall, how would you say the lifetime financial benefits of your most recent educational program compare to the lifetime financial costs to you of this education? Percent, except as noted
Response
Rate
Refused
0.3
Much larger financial benefits than costs
23.7
Somewhat larger financial benefits than costs
18.3
About same financial benefits and costs
21.0
Somewhat smaller financial benefits than costs
11.8
Much smaller financial benefits than costs
24.9
Number of respondents
568
Table C.45. Which one of the following broad categories best describes your major at the school you borrowed money to attend? Percent, except as noted
Response
Rate
Refused
1.2
Humanities
5.0
Social/behavioral sciences
6.4
Life sciences
4.0
Physical sciences/math
1.7
Computer/information sciences
6.6
Engineering
6.6
Education
10.1
Business/management
17.5
Health
15.6
Law
3.9
Vocational/technical training
4.3
Undeclared
3.0
Other (Please specify)
14.1
Number of respondents
568
Table C.46. Still thinking about your most recent educational program, what type of degree or credential did you borrow money for? Percent, except as noted
Response
Rate
Refused
0.4
Certificate or technical training
12.1
Associate's degree
15.5
Bachelor's degree
46.6
Master's degree
12.5
Professional degree (e.g., MBA, MD, JD)
5.2
Doctoral degree
4.7
Other (Please specify)
2.9
Number of respondents
567
Table C.47. Over the past 12 months, have you had to cut back on any spending so that you could make your monthly student loan payment? Percent, except as noted
Response
Rate
No
54.8
Yes, had to cut back a little
34.5
Yes, had to cut back a lot
10.7
Number of respondents
586
Table C.48. During the past 12 months, was there a time when you needed any of the following, but didn't get it because you couldn't afford it? Percent, except as noted
Response
Rate
Prescription medicine
14.9
To see a doctor
17.6
Mental health care or counseling
6.7
Dental care
25.7
To see a specialist
11.4
Follow-up care
10.3
Number of respondents
4,134
Table C.49. During the past 12 months, have you had any unexpected major medical expenses that you had to pay out of pocket? Percent, except as noted
Response
Rate
Refused
1.2
No
74.4
Yes
24.4
Number of respondents
4,134
Table C.50. If you were to have a major unexpected medical expense that you had to pay for out of pocket, how likely is it that you would be able to pay your medical bills? Percent, except as noted
Response
Rate
Refused
1.3
Not likely
42.8
Somewhat likely
34.5
Very likely
21.4
Number of respondents
4,134
Table C.51. Are you currently covered by any of the following types of health insurance or health coverage plans? Percent, except as noted
Response
Rate
Insurance through a current or former employer or union
52.5
Insurance purchased directly from an insurance company
13.2
Medicare, for people 65 or older, or people with certain disabilities
21.7
Medicaid
12.5
TRICARE or other military health care
3.5
VA
4.9
Indian Health Service
1.1
Other
4.9
Number of respondents
4,134
Table C.52. How much responsibility do you have for the following tasks? Paying monthly bills Percent, except as noted
Response
Rate
None or almost none
12.3
Some
10.0
Shared equally with other household members
21.7
Most
8.6
All or almost all
45.8
Number of respondents
4,134
Table C.53. Which one of the following best describes how well you are managing financially these days? Percent, except as noted
Response
Rate
Refused
1.1
Finding it very difficult to get by
13.3
Just getting by
25.3
Doing okay
37.3
Living comfortably
23.0
Number of respondents
4,134
Table C.54. Compared to five years ago (2008), would you say that you (and your family living with you) are better off, the same, or worse off financially? Percent, except as noted
Response
Rate
Refused
1.4
Much worse
12.4
Somewhat worse
22.0
About the same
34.2
Somewhat better off
20.0
Much better off
10.0
Number of respondents
4,134
Table C.55. How much thought have you given to the financial planning for your retirement? Percent, except as noted
Response
Rate
Refused
1.3
None at all
25.1
A little
23.8
Some
22.6
A fair amount
15.7
A lot
11.4
Number of respondents
3,163
Table C.56. Which one of the following best describes your plan for retirement? Percent, except as noted
Response
Rate
Refused
0.7
I do not plan to retire
6.2
Work fewer hours as I get close to retirement
9.6
Retire from my current career, but then find a different full-time job
3.8
Retire from my current career, but then find a different part-time job
15.8
Retire from my current career, but then work for myself
9.8
Work full time until I retire, then stop working altogether
25.4
Keep working as long as possible
21.3
Other (Please specify)
7.2
Number of respondents
1,766
Table C.57. Please tell us what types of retirement savings or pension you (or spouse) have: Percent, except as noted
Response
Rate
No retirement savings or pension
30.9
Social Security benefits
36.3
401(k), 403(b), Thrift or other defined contribution pension plan through an employer
43.7
Defined benefit pension through an employer
18.2
Individual Retirement Account (IRA)
23.0
Savings outside a retirement account
22.7
Real estate or land
11.3
Other
3.2
Refused
2.7
Number of respondents
3,163
Table C.58. How are you and your spouse planning to pay for expenses in retirement? Percent, except as noted
Response
Rate
Social Security Old-Age benefits
44.6
I will continue working
23.5
Spouse/partner will continue working
8.8
Defined benefit pension from work
18.5
401(k), 403(b), thrift or other defined contribution pension plan from work
39.7
Individual Retirement Account (IRA)
22.1
Savings outside a retirement account
23.4
Income from real estate or the sale of real estate
8.3
Income from a business or the sale of a business
3.8
Rely on children, grandchildren, or other family
2.8
I don't know
24.6
Other
3.1
Refused
2.5
Number of respondents
3,051
Table C.59. Compared to your retirement plans before 2008, would you say that you now plan to retire: Percent, except as noted
Response
Rate
Refused
1.6
Plan to retire earlier
5.1
Plan to retire at the same age
33.1
Plan to retire later
35.7
Didn't think about retirement prior to 2008
24.4
Number of respondents
1,766
Table C.60. In the past 12 months, have you borrowed money from any of your retirement savings accounts? Percent, except as noted
Response
Rate
Refused
1.8
No
91.3
Yes
6.9
Number of respondents
2,359
Table C.61. In the past 12 months, have you cashed out any of your retirement savings? Percent, except as noted
Response
Rate
Refused
2.4
No
92.5
Yes
5.2
Number of respondents
2,359
Table C.62. Thinking about your retirement, tell us if any of the following happened to you: Percent, except as noted
Response
Rate
Worked fewer hours as I got close to retirement
15.4
Retired from my previous career, but then found a different full-time job
6.3
Retired from my previous career, but then found a different part-time job
13.8
Retired from my previous career, but then started working as self-employed
8.1
Worked full time until I retired, then stopped working altogether
57.6
Number of respondents
971
Table C.63. Are you (and your spouse) using any of these to pay for expenses in retirement? Percent, except as noted
Response
Rate
Social Security Old-Age benefits
74.5
I have a job
5.8
My spouse/partner has a job
11.9
Defined benefit pension from work
44.3
401(k), 403(b), thrift or other defined contribution pension plan from work
18.5
Individual Retirement Account (IRA)
28.8
Savings outside a retirement account
31.6
Income from real estate or the sale of real estate
8.8
Income from a business or the sale of a business
2.6
Relying on children, grandchildren, or other family
1.9
Other
5.9
Refused
5.8
Number of respondents
971
Table C.64. Did the recent recession affect your decision to retire? Percent, except as noted
Response
Rate
Refused
0.8
No
79.6
Yes, retired earlier than planned
15.1
Yes, retired later than planned
4.5
Number of respondents
314
Table C.65. Since 2008, have you or your family living with you experienced any significant major life change or financial hardship? Percent, except as noted
Response
Rate
Refused
1.8
No
56.6
Yes
41.6
Number of respondents
4,134
Table C.66. Which of the following did your family experience since 2008? Percent, except as noted
Response
Rate
I lost a job
33.9
I had my work hours and/or pay reduced
23.5
My spouse/partner lost a job
20.2
My spouse/partner had their work hours and/or pay reduced
13.4
Received a foreclosure notice
7.1
A business I owned had financial difficulty
5.9
Had a health emergency
30.5
Divorce
8.5
Had a baby
9.9
Death of primary breadwinner
3.5
Other
16.8
Refused
2.2
Number of respondents
1,680
Table C.67. Did you delay any major expenses or purchases because of the recession that began in 2008? Percent, except as noted
Response
Rate
Refused
1.9
No
56.6
Yes
41.5
Number of respondents
4,134
Table C.68. What major purchase did you delay? Percent, except as noted
Response
Rate
Buying a home
20.5
Buying a car
56.6
Buying a major appliance
30.7
Going on vacation
66.9
Home improvements
44.4
Other
4.9
Refused
0.2
Number of respondents
1,694
Table C.69. Did you delay any major life decisions
because of the recession that began in 2008? Percent, except as noted
Response
Rate
Refused
2.1
No
79.6
Yes
18.4
Number of respondents
4,134
Table C.70. What major life decisions did you delay? Percent, except as noted
Response
Rate
Marriage
15.3
Retirement
16.4
Having a child
17.7
Buying a home
45.0
Moving to new city or state
34.1
Changing jobs
21.1
Other
9.3
Refused
1.5
Number of respondents
709
Table C.71. Before 2008, did you or your household have any savings? Percent, except as noted
Response
Rate
Refused
1.9
No
27.1
Yes
61.1
Don't know
10.0
Number of respondents
4,134
Table C.72. Since 2008, have you or your household had to use up some, nearly all, or all of your savings to pay for bills and expenses? Percent, except as noted
Response
Rate
Refused
0.7
No
42.0
Yes, some
31.9
Yes, nearly all
12.3
Yes, all
13.1
Number of respondents
2,845
Table C.73. Since 2008, have you or your household received any financial assistance from your family
or a friend? Percent, except as noted
Response
Rate
Refused
2.2
No
76.1
Yes
21.7
Number of respondents
4,134
Table C.74. Since 2008, have you or your household provided any financial assistance to a friend or
a family member? Percent, except as noted
Response
Rate
Refused
2.1
No
63.5
Yes
34.4
Number of respondents
4,134
Table C.75. Thinking about your current education and work experience, how confident are you that you have the skills necessary to get the kinds of jobs you want now? Percent, except as noted
Response
Rate
Refused
1.8
Very confident
27.3
Somewhat confident
39.2
Not confident
18.3
I am not currently in the workforce and I am not looking for a job
6.9
Don't know
6.5
Number of respondents
2,864
Table C.76. Thinking about the types of jobs you believe
will be available in ten years, how confident are you that you have the skills necessary to get the kinds of jobs you want? Percent, except as noted
Response
Rate
Refused
2.1
Very confident
23.2
Somewhat confident
38.8
Not confident
19.2
I do not expect to be working 10 years from now
8.0
Don't know
8.7
Number of respondents
2,864
Table C.77. Why a lack of confidence for jobs today? Percent, except as noted
Response
Rate
I need more education or another degree
49.4
I need more job training
39.8
My skills are out of date because I haven't been using them
20.4
The job market is changing faster than I can keep up with
25.4
The kind of job I'm qualified for is not available
21.3
Refused
1.0
Number of respondents
295
Table C.78. Why a lack of confidence for jobs in 10 years? Percent, except as noted
Response
Rate
I will need more education or another degree to be competitive
41.1
I will need more job training to be competitive
47.7
My skills will be out of date in ten years
36.8
The job market will change faster than I can keep up with
35.9
The kind of job I'm qualified for may not be available in 10 years
22.7
Refused
0.8
Number of respondents
368
Table C.79. In 2012, would you say that your household's total spending was more, the same, or less than
your income? Percent, except as noted
Response
Rate
Refused
2.2
Spending was less than income
37.7
Spending was same as income
38.4
Spending was more than income
21.7
Number of respondents
4,134
Table C.80. Which of the following categories are you saving money for? Percent, except as noted
Response
Rate
Education (yours or someone else's)
17.9
Retirement
58.0
Your children
20.5
Major appliance, car, or other big purchase (excluding a home)
20.4
Home purchase
13.0
Pay off debts
26.5
Unexpected expenses
52.6
Just to save
49.1
Taxes
15.0
To leave behind some inheritance or charitable donation
10.6
Other
4.9
Refused
0.7
Number of respondents
2,270
Table C.81. Which of the following categories best describes your total household income from all sources, before taxes and deductions in 2012? Percent, except as noted
Response
Rate
Refused
35.4
$0 to $4,999
4.7
$5,000 to $14,999
8.4
$15,000 to $24,999
5.3
$25,000 to $49,999
18.0
$50,000 to $74,999
9.5
$75,000 to $99,999
7.8
$100,000 to $149,999
6.6
$150,000 to $199,999
2.1
$200,000 to $249,000
0.5
$250,000 or higher
1.6
Number of respondents
493
Table C.82. Was your total household income in 2012
higher or lower compared to what you would expect in a normal year? Percent, except as noted
Response
Rate
Refused
3.1
Low
29.9
Normal
59.7
High
7.3
Number of respondents
4,134
Table C.83. Which of the following categories best describes your total household income in a normal year? Percent, except as noted
Response
Rate
Refused
32.2
$0 to $4,999
12.4
$5,000 to $14,999
12.2
$15,000 to $24,999
8.7
$25,000 to $49,999
15.4
$50,000 to $74,999
7.3
$75,000 to $99,999
2.5
$100,000 to $149,999
3.9
$150,000 to $199,999
1.7
$200,000 to $249,000
1.4
$250,000 or higher
2.4
Number of respondents
154
Table C.84. During the next 12 months, do you expect your total income to be higher, about the same or lower than during the past 12 months? Percent, except as noted
Response
Rate
Refused
2.7
Lower
16.1
About the same
60.5
Higher
20.7
Number of respondents
4,134
Table C.85. Which one of the following best describes how your household's income changes from month to month,
if at all? Percent, except as noted
Response
Rate
Refused
3.1
Roughly the same amount each month
66.1
Roughly the same most months, but some unusually high or low months during the year
20.6
Often varies quite a bit from one month to the next
10.1
Number of respondents
4,134
Table C.86. Why does your income change from month to month? Percent, except as noted
Response
Rate
Bonuses
12.4
Commissions
6.9
Seasonal employment
12.0
Irregular work schedule
41.6
Periods of unemployment
14.7
Investment Income
9.2
Other
23.3
Refused
4.3
Number of respondents
1,225
Table C.87. If you were to lose your main source of income (e.g., job, government benefits), could you cover your expenses for 3 months by borrowing money, using savings, selling assets, or borrowing from friends/family? Percent, except as noted
Response
Rate
Refused
2.2
No
42.2
Yes
55.6
Number of respondents
2,136
Table C.88. Have you set aside emergency or rainy day funds that would cover your expenses for 3 months in case of sickness, job loss, economic downturn, or other emergencies? Percent, except as noted
Response
Rate
Refused
2.7
No
57.9
Yes
39.4
Number of respondents
1,998
Table C.89. Suppose that you have an emergency expense that costs $400. Based on your current financial situation how would you pay for this expense? If you would use more than one method to cover this expense please select all that apply. Percent, except as noted
Response
Rate
Put it on my credit card and pay it off in full
at the next statement
27.7
Put it on my credit card and pay it off over time
16.9
With the money currently in my checking/savings account
or with cash
38.6
Using money from a bank loan or line of credit
3.2
By borrowing from a friend or family member
11.8
Using a payday loan, deposit advance, or overdraft
3.6
By selling something
9.5
I wouldn't be able to pay for the expense right now
18.9
Other
2.1
Refused
2.9
Number of respondents
4,134
Table C.90. Do you regularly set aside part of any income you receive in some type of savings account? Percent, except as noted
Response
Rate
Refused
1.3
No
47.1
Yes
51.6
Number of respondents
3,816
Table C.91. Which one of these is the main reason that you play lotteries or other types of gambling? Percent, except as noted
Response
Rate
Refused
1.5
For the money or prizes
55.0
As a pastime or for entertainment
33.9
As a form of charitable donation
3.6
Other (Please specify)
5.9
Number of respondents
2,063
Table C.92. During the past 12 months, about how much money would you say that you spent on state lotteries or other types of gambling? Percent, except as noted
Response
Rate
Refused
1.4
Less than $100
66.0
$100 to $249
16.2
$250 to $499
7.2
More than $500
6.4
Don't know
2.7
Number of respondents
2,063
Table C.93. In a typical year, about how often do you buy or sell stocks in individual companies, including trades in a retirement account like a 401(k)? Percent, except as noted
Response
Rate
Refused
6.5
Buy or sell at least once a week
3.2
Buy or sell at least once a month
8.7
Buy or sell at least once a quarter
12.9
Buy or sell at least once a year
14.6
Buy or sell less than once a year
54.1
Number of respondents
1,559
Table C.94. Which one of the following statements comes closest to describing the amount of financial risk that you are willing to take when you save or make investments? Percent, except as noted
Response
Rate
Refused
3.1
Take substantial financial risks expecting to earn substantial returns
4.4
Take above average financial risks expecting to earn above average returns
13.0
Take average financial risks expecting to earn average returns
31.4
Not willing to take any financial risks
48.2
Number of respondents
4,134
Table C.95. Suppose that you are the only income earner in the family. You have to choose between the following two jobs. Which job would you take? Percent, except as noted
Response
Rate
Refused
2.8
This job would guarantee your current total family income for life.
82.1
This job is better paying, but the income is also less certain. There is a 50-50 chance this job would double your total lifetime income and a 50-50 chance that it would cut it by
a third.
15.1
Number of respondents
4,134
Table C.96. Now which job would you take? Percent, except as noted
Response
Rate
Refused
1.0
This job would guarantee your current total family income for life.
80.6
This job is better paying, but the income is also less certain. Suppose the chances were 50-50 that this job would double your lifetime income and 50-50 that it would cut it by 20 percent.
18.5
Number of respondents
3,411
Table C.97. Now which job would you take? Percent, except as noted
Response
Rate
Refused
2.3
This job would guarantee your current total family income
for life.
38.2
Suppose the chances were 50-50 that this job would double your lifetime income and 50-50 that it would cut it by half.
59.5
Number of respondents
621
Table C.98. Now which job would you take? Percent, except as noted
Response
Rate
Refused
0.8
This job would guarantee your current total family income
for life.
52.2
Suppose the chances were 50-50 that this job would double your lifetime income and 50-50 that it would cut it by 75 percent.
47.0
Number of respondents
356
Table C.99. Now which job would you take? Percent, except as noted
Response
Rate
Refused
2.0
This job would guarantee your current total family income
for life.
66.5
Suppose the chances were 50-50 that this job would double your lifetime income and 50-50 that it would cut it by 10 percent.
31.5
Number of respondents
2,772
Summary Statistics
Table C.100. Summary statistics for numeric questions
Mean
Median
Observations
How many credit cards do you have?
2.5
2
4,080
At what age did you retire fully, meaning completely stop working?
61.3
62
759
About how much do you pay for rent each month?
829.8
700
959
In what year did you buy your current home?
1,998.3
2,002
2,692
For your education: number of loans
2.7
2
540
For your spouse's/partner's education: number of loans
1.9
1
260
For your child's education: number of loans
1.6
1
264
For your grandchild's education: number of loans
1.3
1
29
For your education: total $amount owed
25,749.9
13,000
514
For your spouse's/partner's education: total $ amount owed
24,592.9
12,000
237
For your child's education: total $ amount owed
14,923.3
8,000
233
For your grandchild's education: total $amount owed
16,090.1
6,000
20
For your education: total $ amount of monthly payment on these loans
245.2
160
352
For your spouse's/partner's education: total $ amount of monthly payment on these loans
241.8
200
198
For your child's education: total $ amount of monthly payment on these loans
279.4
164
169
For your grandchild's education: total $ amount of monthly payment on these loans
208.7
138
19
In what year did you complete the program that you borrowed the money for?
2,006.8
2,009
276
Among non-retirees: on a scale of 1-10, what are the chances that you will live to age 75?
7.0
8
3,073
Among non-retirees: on a scale of 1-10, what are the chances that you will live to age 85?
5.4
5
3,063
Among retirees under 75: On a scale of 1-10, what are the chances that you will live to age 75?
8.1
9
696
Among retirees under 85: On a scale of 1-10, what are the chances that you will live to age 85?
6.4
7
913
In 2012, about what percentage of your income did your household set aside as savings?
8.5
2
3,920
How much was the total income your household received in 2012 from all sources, before taxes and deductions?
62,645.8
42,000
3,641
What would you say your total household income is in a normal year?
58,145.7
40,000
1,289
If you received $1,000 in unexpected income today, how much of it would you spend?
227.4
100
3,909
If you received $1,000 in unexpected income today, how much of it would you save?
395.3
300
3,909
If you received $1,000 in unexpected income today, how much of it would you use to pay down existing debt?
377.3
250
3,909
Age
46.8
47
4,134
Table C.101. Summary statistics for demographics (unweighted)
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