Single parents . Single mothers, in particular, face obstacles to saving because of their intermittent work histories and low wages. Housing is the single most important asset of all families. The net worth of homeowning families is seven times that of renters. Racial and ethnic groups .
Pensions are an important income source for many in old age.
Unfortunately, many workers lack pension coverage. Sixty-two percent of whites have pension coverage through their own or a spouse's employment, compared with 54 percent of African Americans and 47 percent of Hispanics. Saving Incentives Saving incentives appear to work if their efficiency is measured solely by the amount of money in tax-favored accounts. But the sizable deposits in employer-sponsored pension plans or IRAs alone do not necessarily prove that saving incentives work. Savings are fungible and can thus be transferred from one account to another.