Much of the optimism can be attributed to the strong performance of the stock market and the strength of the economy during the survey period. The Dow Jones Industrial Average was at historically high levels in May and June. For these people, retirement may mean they are working less, working because they enjoy it or working at something new or different from what they have done in the past. Investors said working after retirement has little to do with money. Only 19 percent work for employers with such mandates.
Younger investors are more likely than older ones to want to retire early.
The amount of savings that investors said they will need to retire comfortably depends largely on their current financial resources, incomes and ages. Yet investors do not account for income they may make working after they retire or reach 65. Almost one of five investors expect to retire before they will be able to afford to do so. Only 1 percent said they evaluate performance against the Dow Jones Industrial Average or against last year's performance. These criteria vary little by gender and type of investors, but the oldest group of investors is more willing than the rest to accept lower rates of return.