Financial preparation for retirement: multidimensional analysis of the perception of Brazilians

Abstract

This article aims to assess the perception of financial preparation for retirement in the non-retired Brazilian population. Also, it seeks to identify how socioeconomic, demographic, and behavioral variables influence financial preparation for retirement. This study advances by using a multidimensional measure of financial preparation for retirement in a comprehensive sample of Brazilians, bringing significant contributions to the implementation of new public policies for the most vulnerable groups. Identifying the level of financial preparation for retirement and the most vulnerable groups is key for a better understanding of the impact of social security and retirement on the lives of Brazilian citizens. In the Brazilian context, the Financial Preparation for Retirement Scale (FPRS) makes it possible to assess the public policies designed and it serves as a parameter for them to be reformulated, with a view to improving financial preparation for retirement in the most vulnerable groups. This is a survey, with 2,920 respondents from all Brazilian regions. The analysis techniques consisted in descriptive statistics, association test, and multiple regression analysis. Most Brazilians show low or very low financial preparation for retirement. It has been identified that 3 out of 4 Brazilians stop to think about how much they would need to save for their retirement. Despite being able to carry out some financial planning for retirement, most Brazilians cannot have good future expectations and savings behavior. Women, young people, divorced/separated persons, black persons, individuals with up to complete elementary education, borrowed housing, unemployed, with a gross monthly family income of up to R$ 1,100.00 and having 4 or more dependent persons constitute the profile of citizens less capable of dealing with financial preparation for retirement.