• International Journal of Human Ecology
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.31-42
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• 2016

We examine the self-control problems of U.S households and their effects on households' retirement preparedness based on the Behavioral Life-Cycle Hypothesis. Using the 2010 Survey of Consumer Finances dataset, the level of retirement adequacy was estimated with income replacement ratio (IRR), and only 42% of households were adequately prepared for retirement. Results from logistic regression analysis indicated that households with loan payment and saving self-control problems were less likely to be prepared adequately for retirement compared to those without such problems. Age, education, race/ethnicity, marital status, employment status, retirement plans, expected retirement age and risk tolerance were significantly related to retirement preparedness. This study provides financial educator and researchers with suggestions on how to help household make a better retirement plan.

• Human Ecology Research
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• v.55 no.3
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• pp.275-287
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• 2017

The recent Great Recession of 2008 was a period of sharp economic decline throughout the late 2000s. All socio-demographic groups were impacted by the economic downturn, however, Hispanic households were particularly hard hit. It is not a recent phenomenon that minority groups often have greater problems related to credit and debt repayments. A better understanding of these racial/ethnic differences in credit and debt has been hindered by the propensity of many studies to pool all racial/ethnic minorities together and compare them to white households. Using a Heckman-type selection model with a combination of the 2010 and 2013 Survey of Consumer Finances datasets to study household debt repayment problems, we found that racial/ethnic groups have been differently impacted by the recent Great Recession in terms of debt repayment problems. Hispanic households were less likely to hold debt; however, those with debt were just as likely as white households and African American households to be delinquent in repayments. This finding is contrary to prior research that indicated Hispanics with debt were less likely than white and African American households to be delinquent on repayments prior to the Great Recession of 2008. We propose possible explanations for the increase in debt repayment problems, that includes increased assimilation into the U.S. culture of credit use, the circumstance of being more recent home buyers prior to the decline, and living in states that suffered the greatest decline in housing value.

• Korean Management Science Review
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.13-28
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• 2015

Using the most recent dataset of Korea and U.S. household finance, this study analyzed demand and adequacy of private pensions for pre-retirees. For this purpose, 2013 Korean Retirement and Income Study (KReIS) of national pension research institute in Korea and 2013 SCF (Survey of Consumer Finances) of FRB in U.S. were used. For comprehensive comparisons of the two countries, this study classified the private pension into sub-categories such as personal pension, corporate pension, and retirement benefits, and used three different criteria including ownership, accumulated present value of each pension, and income replacement ratio of each pension. After controlling for other factors, educational level of householder and household income were critical determinants of size and adequacy of private pension in both countries. Different from Korean households, householders' gender, marital status, and health status had an important effect on the private pension size and adequacy in the U.S. In addition, home ownership significantly increased only private pension adequacy in Korea, and also increased ownership rate, size, and adequacy of private pension in the U.S. Results of this study provide useful implications for future pension system and policy in Korea.

• Journal of Family Resource Management and Policy Review
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.199-219
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• 2013

The purpose of the study was to investigate the effects of money transfer between generations on preparation behaviors for retirement, separated into assets and saving for retirement. The survey was conducted by targeting 422 married people across the nation. The factor of money transfer between generations was defined as the inheritance and gift variable. The data were analyzed using SPSS 20. Correlation, analysis of variance (ANOVA), and multiple regressions were utilized. The results indicated that preparation behaviors for retirement are affected by the economic independence of parents, inheritance, expenses for children's education, and marriage. Retirement assets were significantly affected by inheritance, the economic independence of parents, educational expenses for children, financial assets, and amount of debt, while the significant factors related to retirement savings were interests on retirement, income, wedding expenses for children, economic independence of parents, and educational expenses for children. It was concluded that the financial preparation for retirement ought to be expanded from one household's finances to finances between generations.

• 한국노년학
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.809-826
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• 2016

This study analyzed private pension dependency of Korea and U.S. households using the most recent dataset of two countries. For this purpose, 2013 Korean Retirement and Income Study(KReIS) of national pension research institute in Korea and 2013 SCF(Survey of Consumer Finances) of FRB in U.S. were used. The private pension dependency was defined as the proportion of private pension wealth among total financial wealth in each household and tobit model was used to investigate determinants of private pension dependency of the two countries. After controlling for other factors, household income and net worth, age, educational attainment, and health status of householder were crucial determinants of private pension dependency for both countries. Householder's age, educational attainment, and health tend to increase the private pension dependency in Korea and U.S. However, household income and net worth affected the private pension dependency opposite direction. The private pension dependency increased with high level of income and net worth in Korea, while it decreased with high level of income and net worth in U.S. Results of this study provide useful implications for future pension system and policy in Korea.

• The Korean Journal of Community Living Science
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.267-282
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• 2011

This study investigated Korean and Chinese female college students' retirement attitudes. Considering the fact that the two countries are experiencing dramatic increases in elderly population, retirement planning is a significant social issue. Even though Korea and China share similar cultural backgrounds, economic systems and governmental retirement policies have been developed in different ways. The purpose of this research was to compare retirement attitudes and related factors between Korean and Chinese female college students. Based on a survey with 214 female college students (130 Koreans and 84 Chinese), differences and similarities in retirement attitudes and related factors were identified. On average, Chinese female college students showed more positive attitudes towards retirement than Korean students. The levels of thinking about retirement and worrying about finances in retirement were greater for Korean students than Chinese students. More Korean students anticipated that their actual retirement age will be earlier than their desired retirement age. Korean students believed that they should start retirement planning at an earlier age than Chinese students' retirement planning age. Korean students anticipated that the cost for food and housing as the major expenditure category in retirement while Chinese students anticipated cost for health care as the major expenditure category. Korean students who worry about finances in retirement, and those who anticipated that they will retire earlier than their desired age showed negative retirement attitudes when controlling other factors. Implications for retirement planning and education were presented based on the research findings.

• Journal of Family Resource Management and Policy Review
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.153-176
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• 2012

This study gives an account of the state of baby-boomer households in regard to assets and liabilities utilizing the 2006 Household Asset Survey and the 2011 Survey of Household Finances. Using the data gathered from each year, this study examined the proportion of households who had each type of asset and liability, and the amount of them. This study also compared the amount of assets and liabilities of baby-boomer households with those of non baby-boomer households in 2006 and 2011 respectively. Finally, this study examined the amount of change and composition ratio of assets and liabilities of baby-boomer households between 2006 and 2011. Selected financial ratios were also presented for both years. Major findings are as follows. The average asset amount for baby-boomer households was approximately 296 million in 2006 and 392 million in 2011. Of total assets, 78% and 76.5% were real assets in 2006 and 2011 respectively. The average financial assets of 2006 baby-boomer households were approximately 66 thousand and the average amount of debt was 42 thousand. For 2011 baby-boomer households, the average amount of financial assets was 92 thousand and the average amount of debt was 73 thousand. Results from the 2011 survey showed that baby-boomer households had a significantly higher proportion of total assets, total debt, and net worth than non baby-boomer households. The proportion of savings, saving insurance, stocks, and mutual funds were significantly higher for baby-boomer households than non baby-boomer households in 2011. In regard to financial ratios, the emergency fund index and debt burden index were appropriate to the guidelines of asset quality, although the propensity to investment indexes were not.

• International Journal of Human Ecology
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.83-95
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• 2004

The purpose of the study was to examine the determinants of financial well-being of the baby boomers. With data on 1,789 households from the 1998 Survey of Consumer Finances, the study provided a profile of baby boomers using demands, resources, financial attitudes, and financial practices. The descriptive statistics showed that 18% of the baby boomers were financially well off showing that they met the guidelines for two financial ratios: liquidity and solvency ratio. The results of logistic analysis on the measures of financial well-being revealed that financial management practices played an important role in predicting boomer's financial well-being. This suggested a positive approach of financial education to the baby boomers to help them manage their current finance well as well as prepare for their retirement.

• International Journal of Human Ecology
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.79-93
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• 2000

Using the 1995 Survey of Consumer Finances, this study investigates how family life-cycle stages and financial management practices affect household saving. First findings are that household income and householders education, race and ethnicity have significant effects on saving. Second, regarding the effect of the family life-cycle stages, younger married couples without children, middle pre-retired households without dependent children, and older households without dependent children are more likely to save than other similar households in the life-cycle stage of younger single households. Third, households with longer financial planning horizons, saving goals for retirement, purchase of durable goods and emergency goods, and low credit card debt are more likely to save. Based on the results, implications for financial management education and public policy are suggested.

• Journal of Family Resource Management and Policy Review
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.79-100
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• 2004

This study attempted to examine the employment instability on consumer's use of credit as a financing medium. The purpose of this study was 1) to examine the effect of employment related factors on consumers' use of credit; 2) to compare the results between the two different economic situations. A conceptual framework was developed based on the permanent income hypothesis, family stress theory, and the previous empirical studies. Using data on working households ih the 1992 and 1998 Survey of Consumer Finances (SCF), double-hurdle analyses were conducted. The results suggested that employment related factors that measured employment stability were significantly related to the likelihood of having an outstanding balance on their credit account but were not the influential factors in determining the amount of the outstanding balance. Among other factors, resources factor played the most significant role in determining both the likelihood of having an outstanding balance and the amount of the balance. Although the 1992 and 1998 data represent economic downturn and economic prosperous period, the effects of the factors including employment instability factors were similar between the two periods. This imply that employment instability has increased even in the economic prosperous period. From the findings, several implications for policy makers, credit industry, and financial educators were suggested.