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We conducted a survey asking 2,000 US respondents which investments they regarded as the safest for long-term retirement investing. We used Google Surveys and targeted males and females between the ages of 35 to 65+ from coast to coast. We asked the following question with several possible responses:
Which of the following investments do you view as “the safest” for long term retirement investing?
- Real Estate
- Stocks & Bonds
- Savings Account at the Bank
- Other alternative assets
- Fixed Annuities
- Gold & Silver Bullion
- U.S. Treasury Issued Securities
Real Estate Is Regarded As The Safest Long Term Retirement Investment, Especially for 45 to 54-Year-Olds
When asked which investment they considered being the safest with regards to long-term investing, 22.4% of respondents selected real estate.
When demographic filters were applied to the survey results, specifically factoring those between 45 and 54 yeas old, the percentage increased to 25.1%. Considering the current uncertainty surrounding the global economy coupled with market volatility, it is unsurprising that American investors view real estate as “the safest” long-term investment for retirement.
Stocks & Bonds Are Viewed As The Safest Choice For Long Term Retirement Investing By Young Female Investors
The second most popular response was stocks & bonds, with 18% of respondents indicating this option.
Interestingly, when demographic filters are applied specifically to young investors between 35 and 44 years old, the percentage increases to 19.5%. When females from this age bracket are specifically targeted, that percentage increases even further to 21.5%. That means that nearly a quarter of all young female investors view stocks & bonds as the safest long-term investment option for retirement.
Taking into account that stocks especially are considered the primary long-term investment, it is understandable why young investors view this as the best option for long-term retirement investing. Despite the present volatility that the financial markets are experiencing, younger investors have the most precious commodity, “Time” in their favor to ride out the ups and downs of the fluctuating markets.
A Savings Account At The Bank Is Seen As The Safest Long Term Retirement Investment By 35 to 44-Year-Olds
Another popular response amongst respondents was a savings account at the bank, coming in at 16.8%.
However, compelling insight occurs when demographic filters are applied specifically to those between 35 and 44 years old. 19.8% of those within this age group indicated this was the safest long-term retirement investing option.
Curiously, that number soared even further with females of the age bracket to an astounding 24.5%. Thus, this response is the most popular long-term retirement investment choice for those between 35 and 44.
Other Alternative Assets Are A Popular Investment For Those Between 45 and 54
Another long-term retirement investment was other alternative assets, with 11.8% of respondents.
Additionally, when demographic filters were applied to the results targeting those between 45 and 54 years old, the percentage increased to 14.8%.
Apropos of defining other alternative assets applicable specifically to the survey, options could include everything from cryptocurrencies to works of art, to collectibles.
Fixed Annuities Are An Important Retirement Investment for those 65+
Fixed annuities were considered a safe long-term investment choice for retirement by 11.4% of respondents.
Yet, when demographic filters were applied to factor specifically those 65+, the percentage increased to 13.1%. Therefore, fixed annuities are the fourth most popular safe investment choice for those of retirement age.
Gold & Silver Bullion Is Viewed As A Safe Long Term Retirement Investment Especially With Males
The penultimate safe investment result for the survey was gold & silver bullion, with 10.6% of respondents indicating this option.
Yet, compelling insight can be found when demographic filters are applied to the results, specifically targeting males. When gender is factored, 13.4% of all males indicated that they viewed the precious metals as the safest long-term retirement investment. Thus, all males who participated in the survey regarded gold & silver bullion as the fourth safest investment option for retirement.
U.S. Treasury Issued Securities Are Considered Safe For Long Term Retirement Investing for Males 65+
The final investment option was US treasury issued securities, coming in dead last at 9% of respondents surveyed.
Yet, interesting insight can be discovered when gender and age brackets are specifically targeted to the results of the survey. 15.7% of males 65+ selected US treasury issued securities as the safest investment option, thus, making it the third most popular choice for this demographic. Considering these securities have long been emblematic of safety amid the instability of the financial markets, it comes as little surprise that they would be a popular “safe” investment option for those in their retirement years.
Conclusion
What for current geopolitical events specifically the escalating US-China trade war, financial markets have endured a roller coaster ride directly correlated to the uncertainties from this trade war between the two nations. Amid this market volatility and global economic unpredictability, average American investors are left scrambling to find the safest long-term investments to ensure that their retirement years are both secure and comfortable.
Details About The Study And RMS Score
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Sarah Bauder is a financial writer with over a decade of experience at numerous online publications, writing about alternative investments, retirement, US politics, world economy and more.
