Effect of Age Cohort on Life Cycle Financial Planning

The paper examined effect of age cohort on life cycle financial planning. A total of 990 questionnaires were distributed with a 55.2% return rate. Seven hypotheses were analysed using hierarchical and ordinary regression analysis. The results revealed that age cohort variables made significant contribution to life cycle financial planning as well as personal orientation towards retirement planning, particularly the younger age cohort. Age cohorts do affect personal orientation towards retirement planning with the confidence level making a significant impact. Current financial resources do have a strong positive impact on consumption for all age cohorts. On the other hand, no significant effect was found between age cohorts and current financial resources but older age cohorts were relatively more significant predictors. The implication was that not only should their individual perceptions of financial planning become an increasingly important part of people's long-term commitment throughout their life-cycle, it must also assume the role as a self-directed life-long learning process, in view of the ever-changing and complicated financial environment.