Bankrate’s monthly survey of six questions measures how secure Americans feel about their personal finances compared to 12 months ago. From June 6-9, 2013, telephone interviews (on landlines and cellphones) with 1,004 adults living in the continental U.S. were conducted by Princeton Survey Research Associates International. The results of Bankrate’s Financial Security Index have a margin of error of plus or minus 3.7 percentage points. This month, the index increased to 102.7, up 2.5 points since May 2013.

Financial Security Index Bankrate.com

Highlights:

  • 55% of women and 45% of men have less than three months’ worth of emergency savings; 40% of women and 49% of men have at least that much.
  • 38% of those ages 18-29; 44% of those ages 30-49; 44% of those ages 50-64; and 54% of those ages 65 and older have at least three months’ of emergency savings.
  • 72% of those making more than $75,000 had at least three months’ of emergency savings, compared to 35% of those making less than that.
Financial Security Index Bankrate.com

Highlights:

  • 2 in 5 (43%) of those ages 18-29 say their jobs are more secure today compared to less than 1 in 5 (18%) of those 30 and older.
  • 18% of Republicans, 24% of Democrats and 30% of Independents report higher job security.
  • 34% of those making less than $30,000 say they are more job secure versus 22% of those making at least that much.
Financial Security Index Bankrate.com

Highlights:

  • As age increases, so does discomfort with savings: 40% of those 50 and older are less comfortable with their savings, compared with 20% of 18- to 29-year-olds and 30% of 30- to 49-year-olds.
  • 24% of college graduates are less comfortable with their savings compared to 35% of those with less education.
  • 18% of those from cities and suburbs and 10% from rural areas say they are more comfortable with their savings.
Financial Security Index Bankrate.com

Highlights:

  • 37% of people in the West are more comfortable with their debt compared to 27% of people everywhere else.
  • 28% of mothers with children younger than 18 are less comfortable with their debt versus 17% of all other women.
  • 44% of those making at least $75,000 feel more comfortable with their debt compared with 25% of those making less.
Financial Security Index Bankrate.com

Highlights:

  • 31% of men report more net worth today versus 22% of women.
  • 38% of college graduates have a higher net worth, compared to 22% of those less educated.
  • Those making more report having higher net worth than a year ago. Almost half (48%) of those making at least $75,000 report having higher net worth, compared to 15% of those making less than $50,000.
Financial Security Index Bankrate.com

Highlights:

  • 33% of men are doing better today versus 26% of women.
  • 22% of Democrats and Independents say they are doing worse today compared to 14% of Republicans.
  • 44% of 18- to 29-year-olds say they’re doing better today compared to 25% of those 30 and older.

Editor’s note: Percentages may not equal 100, due to rounding.

Bankrate.com Financial Security Index
Bankrate’s Financial Security Index gauges how Americans feel today versus a year ago on vital financial matters. An index value of less than 100 indicates declining levels of financial security; a value greater than 100 reveals higher levels of security compared to 12 months ago.
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