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Intelligent Horizons, Inc.

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1523 Horseshoe Trail
Chester Springs,
Pennsylvania 19425
(610) 827-4084

 

Financial Services Solutions

Investments Solutions

From the perspective of those thinking ahead to retirement, there are more challenges out there than contemplating the solvency of the so-called three-legged stool: social security, personal savings and investments (including 401k’s), and corporate pensions.

Job losses, paying for a college education, escalating health care costs, affordable housing, family issues, and other pressing events intervene. Recent surveys have rich, targeted data points illustrating “pay attentions”, but the vivid stories, that provide meaning, context and understanding, seem to be lacking. It’s one thing to report that eight of 10 people surveyed feel they are not saving enough for retirement, but what does that mean? Where is the detail and the information that explains that?

Read through any recent survey, and what you find in the discussion, analysis and recommendation sections are phrases like these:

• "it seems plausible to assume.."

• "a number of factors could explain the differences.."

• "we suggest that this result could be due to. ."

• "trading appears to have .."

• "the question for investors is whether this.."

• "without knowing more about the investor's. ."

• "it is impossible to say.."

• "data on pension plan participants suggests .."

• "survey responses suggest . ."

• "there is evidence of .."

• "there is no obvious.."

Where are the stories, quotes, and circumstances that can better illustrate the measures? Are those commissioning these studies doing the in-depth interviews before, during or after? At some point we need to have more depth of understanding that professionally conducted qualitative interviews, focus groups, and online bulletin board interviews can provide.

The next time you see a reference to a research study, search the internet for the source and browse through the report. It is not enough to read:

• "according to the Employee Benefits Research Institute, more than 45% of working-age families had a family member with a defined contribution plan in 2001.."

• "the first-quarter drop in stock prices capped off by March's intense sell-off led most mutual funds to negative returns for investors so far in 2005, according to a mutual fund performance report released this Friday by mutual fund watcher Lipper Inc.

Dig in—it’s a good start. When you see something interesting, ask yourself “why is that?”.

For further examples, check out reports available within the industry, such as those from Vanguard or Merrill Lynch. Look at your own studies. Is something missing? Why?