RADNOR, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

In the second segment of its series that encourages consumers to set and achieve realistic financial planning goals over the course of the new year, Lincoln Financial Group (NYSE: LNC) is urging people to prioritize their retirement future by taking four simple steps.

“Even though our Measuring Optimism, Outlook and Direction (M.O.O.D.) of America survey shows that the average age Americans expect to retire is 64, it’s never too early to start thinking about retirement,” said Jamie Ohl, president, Retirement Plan Services for Lincoln Financial Group. “By taking simple steps today, like setting a specific goal of how much they want to save this year or increasing their contribution by even just one percent, savers can help ensure that they will be able to achieve the retirement they envision.”

As part of its campaign, Lincoln Financial recommends the following tips to help consumers prepare financially for retirement:

• Set Specific Retirement Savings Goals. Participants who set a specific savings goal are four and a half times more likely to feel confident when they think about retirement, and they are also four and a half times more likely to feel optimistic about having enough money to maintain the lifestyle they want than those who do not set a goal, according to Lincoln Financial’s Retirement Power participant study.
• Calculate Income Needed in Retirement. According to the M.O.O.D. data, 62 percent of respondents say they did not or will not have saved enough in retirement. Consumers can better understand how much they will need by tracking their spending for 90 days and being sure to budget for healthcare. Also, tap into a life expectancy calculator to help project how much income is needed.
• Determine Income Sources. Consumers should think about how and when they will take distributions from retirement accounts, such as workplace plans and Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs), and consider how inflation and market volatility may affect balances. For anyone planning to be retired for 20 years or more, Lincoln Financial suggests consumers recognize that these variables can affect the amount of money they have in retirement and reduce the annual amounts available for withdrawal. The M.O.O.D. findings also showed that 47 percent of people say they would not be ready for retirement without social security, which underscores the need to consider supplementing retirement income with other solutions like an annuity or life insurance.
• Work with a Financial Professional. One way consumers can feel more confident in making decisions about their financial futures is to increase their knowledge of products that are available to them. A financial advisor can help develop a financial plan tailored to a saver’s specific needs, as well as provide education about various insurance and retirement solutions. Lincoln Financial’s M.O.O.D. survey found that 91 percent of respondents who work with a financial advisor feel that person helps them to understand the options available to achieve their financial goals.

“Planning for retirement can seem overwhelming, especially when trying to balance saving for the future with bills that need to be paid today,” Ohl said. “However, every small step taken today can have a big impact on creating a more secure financial future.”

Visit www.lincolnfinancial.com/resolution2 for more information on planning for retirement, as well as creating a larger financial plan for you and your family.

About 2017 Resolution Solutions

Lincoln Financial Group launched its 2017 Resolution Solutions campaign to help consumers set and achieve realistic financial planning goals over the course of the New Year. The three-part series features tips on maximizing workplace benefits; preparing for retirement; and protecting the ones you love.

About the M.O.O.D. of America

Results for the 2016 M.O.O.D. (Measuring Optimism, Outlook and Direction) of America poll are based on three national surveys conducted by Whitman Insight Strategies on behalf of Lincoln Financial Group in March and April 2016.

The M.O.O.D. of America survey was conducted among 2,267 adults 18 years of age and older across the United States, and included a sample of the General Population as well as over-samples to ensure data cuts by key demographic sub-groups that are of particular interest for this research. The final sample includes 405 African Americans, 402 Asian Americans, 402 Latino Americans, and 418 LGBT Americans. The margin of error is ±1.9% at the 95% confidence interval.

About Lincoln Financial Group

Lincoln Financial Group provides advice and solutions that help empower people to take charge of their financial lives with confidence and optimism. Today, more than 17 million customers trust our retirement, insurance and wealth protection expertise to help address their lifestyle, savings and income goals, as well as to guard against long-term care expenses. Headquartered in Radnor, Pennsylvania, Lincoln Financial Group is the marketing name for Lincoln National Corporation (NYSE:LNC) and its affiliates. The company had $228 billion in assets under management as of September 30, 2016. Learn more at: www.LincolnFinancial.com. Find us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube. To sign up for email alerts, please visit our Newsroom at http://newsroom.lfg.com.

LCN-1667842-122016

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