Inspire your employees to become ‘super savers’
A version of this article originally appeared on Principal.com.
What do a 30-year-old accounting clerk from Oregon and a 37-year-old school consultant from Minnesota have in common? They’re both on track to retire early, possibly by 55.
When Erynn Ross moved back home to Oregon after graduating from college, he knew he’d save money by living with his mom. What he didn’t expect was that she would tell him he could pay her rent—or pay into an index fund.
“That really started the saving train,” Ross says. He began investing, contributing to a 401(k), and paid off debt. By the time he was 27, he was saving the maximum amount allowed in his 401(k). And that makes him a “super saver.”1
Ross says he wasn’t always so eager to save, but his mom wanted to instill good habits when he was in high school. “She’d already set up an IRA for me. We came to a compromise that 75% of my paycheck went toward retirement,” Ross says. “As a teenager, I wasn’t too happy about it.” (He’s thankful now.)
Bekah DeJarlais from Rockford, Minnesota, took a slightly different route to her super savings track. Buying her first home at age 25 and taking a higher-paying job three years ago helped her ramp up her long-term savings.
That first home was small and modest, but she sold it nine years later when the area she lived in was growing. “People couldn’t afford Minneapolis, so they were flocking to my suburb. It was a great time to sell,” she says.
DeJarlais started maxing out her 401(k) when she started the new job, but it helped her save money in other ways, too. At the time, she and her husband were driving 2004 and 2005 cars. Since her new job included a company car, they were able to sell hers and buy her husband a newer car. They also took the amount she’d been spending to insure her old car and put it into savings. That’s when they began paying their auto insurance every six months, instead of monthly, which meant a lower premium.
While she watches her spending and is always looking for ways to increase savings in small ways, DeJarlais says she doesn’t live on a budget. What she does is pay herself first by saving for retirement, covering the bills, and then trying not to spend more than $200 in “fun” money.
FINANCIAL TIPS FOR OTHER SUPER SAVERS
Ross shares what works for him when it comes to managing money.
He generally only changes his investment strategy if his financial professional recommends it. “I rely on him and trust him.” (55% of super savers say they work with a financial professional or plan to in the future.)
He likes to travel and goes on at least one big trip a year. But he saves the money he’ll need before he goes, rather than incur credit card debt.
He uses credit cards to get the points but pays them in full each month.
Ross believes in staying healthy, no matter what it costs. He’d rather spend the money now—on a fitness membership, to eat healthier, or get new running shoes—than spend it later on health problems.
Because his dad passed away when he was in eighth grade, he’s had a mentality of preparing for the unexpected. Ross has secured a 20-year term life insurance policy and disability coverage. “I believe in insurance. It’s a good investment. If something happened to me, my fiancé would be OK financially.”
SO, HOW HAVE THEY CHANGED THEIR FINANCIAL STRATEGY THIS YEAR?
Super savers are still stashing money away, despite recent market volatility and a global pandemic. The overwhelming majority (97%) say they feel comfortable managing finances through uncertainty.
- 75% of?savers say the current market is a buying opportunity.
- 30% have invested additional money in the market.
- 95% say they’re in good shape to endure a recession.
- Just 5% have decreased the deferral/savings/percentage in their retirement savings.
Has DeJarlais thought about saving less this year? “Not really. My fear is if I would see it, I would spend it.”
HOW DO YOU KNOW IF YOU’RE A SUPER SAVER?
- You’re a member of Gen X, Gen Y, or Gen Z.2
- You save (a lot of) money for retirement—either 90% or more of the maximum amount allowed by the IRS or you defer 15% or more of your salary to your employer-sponsored retirement plan.
Sound like you? How about this: According to new research by Principal®, super savers favor long-term sacrifices over short-term cuts to their daily expenses to max out their retirement contributions.
NEXT STEPS
Get our latest updates and insights for taking care of your employees.
- The 2020 Principal® Super Saver Survey was sent to Gen Z, Gen X, and Gen Y participants who work for companies that have Principal as the recordkeeper for their retirement accounts and have either saved 90% of the 2019 IRS max allowed under a retirement plan or deferred 15% or more of their salary to a retirement account. The survey was conducted June 12-22, 2020.
- Gen X (born 1965-1980), Gen Y (born 1981-1996), Gen Z (born 1997-2012).
The subject matter in this communication is educational only and provided with the understanding that Principal® is not rendering legal, accounting, investment advice, or tax advice. You should consult with appropriate counsel or other advisors on all matters pertaining to legal, tax, investment or accounting obligations and requirements.
Investing involves risk, including possible loss of principal.
Insurance products issued by Principal National Life Insurance Co (except in NY) and Principal Life Insurance Co. Securities offered through Principal Securities, Inc., 800-247-1737. Member SIPC Principal National, Principal Life, and Principal Securities are members of the Principal Financial Group®, Des Moines, IA.
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