Competing Priorities Impact Retirement Preparedness

July 8, 2020

6 minute read

by Manmeet Bhatia, CFA, CFP, Franklin Templeton Investments

Franklin Templeton Canada’s 2020 Retirement Income Strategies and Expectations (RISE) survey revealed the importance of having a plan to help reduce financial-related stress—particularly relevant amid today’s uncertainties. Our Manmeet Bhatia discusses some findings of the survey, and how respondents feel about their financial future.

The uncertainty and financial hardship related to COVID-19 has caused many individuals to reconsider their short- and long-term financial priorities. Individuals without adequate savings may not only need to curb everyday spending, but also delay their retirement or other long-term goals. The virus has put the spotlight on financial preparedness, and the importance of having a strategy to cope with unforeseen events or things generally beyond our control.

The Importance of Emergency Savings

Franklin Templeton Canada’s 2020 Retirement Income Strategies and Expectations (RISE) survey was conducted before the coronavirus triggered lockdowns across the country, but the survey’s findings are perhaps even more relevant today. Across all age groups surveyed, one’s ability to handle unforeseen expenses ranked as the top financial driver of moderate or significant stress.¹

When the survey was conducted in early February, just over a month before our shutdowns started, 77% of Canadians said their ability to cover an unexpected expense/life event was already causing them stress. With millions of jobs lost and/or pay hours cut since, the loss of income has likely led to even more stress today for many individuals. But what’s the alternative if you don’t have an emergency fund? Go into debt? Statistics Canada recently reported that household credit market debt as a proportion of household disposable income rose from 175.6% to 176.9% in the first quarter, approaching a record high.² In other words, there was C$1.77 in credit market debt for every dollar of household disposable income. So many Canadians are pretty deep in debt.

When asked to choose from a list of different current financial goals or priorities, respondents in our RISE survey cited “having sufficient emergency savings to cover unexpected expenses” more frequently than saving for a home or for retirement. While withdrawing from retirement savings might seem like a good solution to cover short-term needs, according to our RISE survey, one in four Canadians who feel they haven’t saved enough for retirement blame their shortfall on an unexpected expense or event.

It’s clear many individuals need help balancing urgent needs, while still preparing for long-term goals such as retirement. Of course, if an individual is struggling to make ends meet, it’s hard to think about saving enough for an emergency fund—one that can cover several months of expenses—let alone retirement.

So, how can people better prepare for both short- and long-term income needs? This is where we think engaging with a financial professional can help you balance your financial priorities. Even setting up a budget can help. Compared with non-budgeters who are time-crunched or feel overwhelmed, a survey from the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada conducted in 2019 revealed Canadians who budget are less likely to be falling behind on their financial commitments (8% vs. 16%), and also demonstrate more effective management of their monthly cash flow.³

Many workers may also have additional employer benefits that can help them improve their financial wellbeing. While emergency or hardship funds may not be a common workplace benefit today, one that is perhaps more widespread is a defined contribution plan—where a percentage of one’s paycheque is set aside in a retirement account, often matched by an additional employer cash contribution. Many workers overlook this benefit, but it can represent “free money” from your employer, in addition to any potential tax-exempt growth over time of one’s own contributions. Over a long period of time, even setting aside a small amount can add up to a more secure future.

Planning Inspires Confidence

Thinking about finances can certainly be stressful for many, but Franklin Templeton’s RISE survey found that having a strategy to accomplish one’s savings goals can lead to increased confidence. Of individuals with a retirement plan, 77% said they were “confident that I will have enough money to last the rest of my life” versus 52% of those without one. Among retirees, 54% with a plan said they “saved enough for retirement,” versus 33% of those without a plan. A financial professional can teach you how to build an appropriate nest egg for short-term needs, devise strategies to tackle debt, and transition toward longer-term goals.

And, given that individuals tend to take action when they are emotionally motivated to make a change, financial professionals who meet people where they are emotionally (i.e., stressed about ability to handle unforeseen expenses) will have more success at getting them to take positive action. These actions could help establish habits that could transcend the current situation and extend to a lifetime of other goal successes—and ultimately a feeling of financial security.

In order to help achieve overall financial wellbeing, we believe it’s important to help people feel more empowered. Setting good financial habits early like saving regularly for a goal is important—but it’s never too late to develop a financial plan. Competing priorities call for a holistic and highly personalized approach, and even small changes can help reduce stress and anxiety, should an unexpected shock occur.

Additional survey information and retirement planning resources can be found on Franklin Templeton’s website at franklintempleton.ca/rise.