What The Economy Means To

Nevada Voters 50+

What The Economy Means To

Nevada Voters 50+Key findings from survey conducted July 2012 for

HARTRESEARCHA S S O T E SC I A

What the Economy Means to Nevada Voters 50+ – July 2012 – Hart Research/GS Strategy for AARP2

Methodology

Statewide telephone survey conducted in Nevada July 10 to 16, 2012, among registered voters age 50 and over

Total sample sizes:

408 voters age 50 and over (MOE = ±4.9 percentage points), including

122 “Boomers” – non-retired voters age 50 to 64 (MOE = ±8.9 percentage points)

264 age 50+ Retired voters (MOE = ±6.0 percentage points)

What the Economy Means to Nevada Voters 50+ – July 2012 – Hart Research/GS Strategy for AARP3

Overview

Non-retired Boomers in Nevada feel great economic anxiety across party lines. This is reflected in a new “Anxiety Index” that measures their worries on such issues as prices rising faster than incomes, health expenses, and retirement security. They also feel that political gridlock negatively affects their economic circumstances.

A major driver of economic anxiety is concern over retirement security: 67% believe they will have to delay retirement, 53% worry they won't have a comfortable retirement, and 46% don't think they'll ever be able to retire. This insecurity leads Boomers to conclude that Medicare and Social Security have become even more important for their future.

What the Economy Means to Nevada Voters 50+ – July 2012 – Hart Research/GS Strategy for AARP4

Overview (continued)

This anxiety underscores the importance of strengthening Medicare and Social Security for current and future generations. Voters 50+ believe the next president and Congress will need to act to strengthen Medicare and Social Security for the future, and that both parties will have to come together to find a solution.

50+ voters in Nevada want to know where the candidates stand on Medicare, Social Security, and other vital issues. But they report that the candidates have done a poor job explaining their plans on priority issues, including strengthening Social Security (74%), strengthening Medicare (66%), reducing the budget deficit (72%), and taxes (62%).

What the Economy Means to Nevada Voters 50+ – July 2012 – Hart Research/GS Strategy for AARP5

Nevada 50+ Voters’ Financial Outlook:

Dissatisfied & Anxious

What the Economy Means to Nevada Voters 50+ – July 2012 – Hart Research/GS Strategy for AARP6

Three In Four See National Economy In “Bad” Condition

How would you rate the condition of the national economy these days?

Very good 1%

75%

24%

Bad

Nevada voters age 50/over

Good

Verybad47%

What the Economy Means to Nevada Voters 50+ – July 2012 – Hart Research/GS Strategy for AARP7

Nevada Voters 50+ Fairly Satisfied With Their Personal Financial Situation, Though Boomers Less So

16%26%

20%14%

How satisfied are you with your own financial situation today?

Very satisfied Somewhat satisfied Somewhat dissatisfied Very dissatisfied

30%

69%

48%51%

RetireesBoomers

What the Economy Means to Nevada Voters 50+ – July 2012 – Hart Research/GS Strategy for AARP8

However, Nevada Voters 50+ Are Worried About Reaching Financial Goals

36%

57%

38%

52%

Looking ahead to the next five years or so, how do you feel about being able to achieve your economic and financial goals?

Hopeful/confident Worried/concerned

RetireesBoomers

What the Economy Means to Nevada Voters 50+ – July 2012 – Hart Research/GS Strategy for AARP9

20%

23%

24%

26%

30%

34%

51%

55%

56%

71%

Nevada 50+ Voters’ Financial Worries

Prices rising faster than my income

Not having financial security in retirement

Having to pay too much in taxes

Having health expenses I cannot afford

Not being able to retire when I want for financial

reasonsHaving to take care of

aging parent/relative

Not being able to afford education for self/children

Not being able to keep up with mortgage/rent

Not being able to get full-time job with benefits

Having more credit card debt than I can handle

Nevada voters age 50/over who say they worry very/somewhat often about each

What the Economy Means to Nevada Voters 50+ – July 2012 – Hart Research/GS Strategy for AARP10

Anxiety Index

For each one of the top five economic concerns about which they say they are worried, voters are assigned 20 points. A minimum score of 0 reflects no economic anxiety, while a maximum score of 100 indicates a great deal of economic anxiety.

The five components of the Anxiety Index are:

“I am worried about…”

Prices rising faster than my income

Not having enough financial security in retirement

Having to pay too much in taxes

Not being able to retire when I want for financial reasons

Having health expenses I cannot afford

What the Economy Means to Nevada Voters 50+ – July 2012 – Hart Research/GS Strategy for AARP11

46%

60%

52%

65%

50%

64%

17%

65%

71%

71%

Components Of The Anxiety Index

Prices rising faster than my income

Not being able to retire when I want for

financial reasons

Having to pay too much in taxes

Not having financial security in retirement

Having health expenses I cannot afford

Nevada voters who worry very/somewhat often about this: Boomers Retirees

37% of Nevada Boomers are worried about not being able to find a full-time job with benefits.

What the Economy Means to Nevada Voters 50+ – July 2012 – Hart Research/GS Strategy for AARP12

Nevada Boomers Have Higher Rating On Anxiety Index

RetireesBoomers

Mean Anxiety Index Score

65

47

What the Economy Means to Nevada Voters 50+ – July 2012 – Hart Research/GS Strategy for AARP13

27%

68%

Two-Thirds Of Nevada Boomers Expect To Delay Retirement

Do you think you will end up delaying your retirement to save more money in order to be able to live comfortably in retirement?

Will probably have to delay retirement

Will not

Boomers

What the Economy Means to Nevada Voters 50+ – July 2012 – Hart Research/GS Strategy for AARP14

Fewer Than Half Of Nevada Boomers Believe They Will Ever Be Able To Retire

How confident are you that you will be able to retire at some point?

49% 49%

Confident Just somewhat/not confident

Veryconfident

27%

Not at allconfident

32%

Boomers

What the Economy Means to Nevada Voters 50+ – July 2012 – Hart Research/GS Strategy for AARP15

Nevada Boomers Voice Little Confidence They Will Have Secure Retirement

How confident are you that you will have enough money to live comfortably throughout your retirement years?

34%

65%

Confident

Very13%

Not at allconfident

38%

53%46%

Confident

Veryconfident

25%Not at allconfident

16%

Boomers Retirees

Just somewhat/not confident

Just somewhat/not confident

What the Economy Means to Nevada Voters 50+ – July 2012 – Hart Research/GS Strategy for AARP16

Nevada 50+ Voters' Satisfaction WithRetirement Savings

How satisfied are you with the amount of money you are saving or have saved for retirement?

56%

39%45%

49%

Satisfied Dissatisfied Satisfied Dissatisfied

Very 10%

Verydissatisfied

31%

Boomers Retirees

Verysatisfied

22%

Verydissatisfied

22%

What the Economy Means to Nevada Voters 50+ – July 2012 – Hart Research/GS Strategy for AARP17

68%

29%

Two-Thirds Of Nevada Boomers Plan To Rely On Social Security & Medicare Even More Due To Downturn

“As a result of the recent economic downturn, I am planning to rely even more on Social Security and Medicare to provide economic and health care security in retirement.”

Boomers

DisagreeAgree

MenWomen

Non-college graduates

Agree*

66%72%

79%

*Among all Nevada voters 50+

What the Economy Means to Nevada Voters 50+ – July 2012 – Hart Research/GS Strategy for AARP18

Nevada 50+ Voters And The 2012 Election

What the Economy Means to Nevada Voters 50+ – July 2012 – Hart Research/GS Strategy for AARP19

Overview

Nevada voters 50+ are searching for information, but candidates aren't delivering.

Social Security and Medicare remain voting issues of central importance to these voters because of their economic anxiety.

Voters 50+ are looking for bipartisan solutions for strengthening Social Security and Medicare.

What the Economy Means to Nevada Voters 50+ – July 2012 – Hart Research/GS Strategy for AARP20

Nevada 50+ Voters Affected By Economic Downturn And Political Gridlock

44% 45%

My personal economic circumstances have been negatively affected by:

76%Negatively affected:

Some/a little

A great deal

78%

Political Gridlock in WashingtonEconomic Downturn of Past 4 Years

What the Economy Means to Nevada Voters 50+ – July 2012 – Hart Research/GS Strategy for AARP21

6%

51% 43%

Lukewarm Approval For President Obama, High Disapproval For Congress

Job Approval of Barack ObamaNevada voters age 50/over

ApproveDisapprove

-8

Not sure

8%84%

8%

Job Approval of CongressNevada voters age 50/over

Approve

Disapprove

-76

Not sure

Boomers

47%47%

6%

even

Boomers6%

88%

6%-82

What the Economy Means to Nevada Voters 50+ – July 2012 – Hart Research/GS Strategy for AARP22

8%

46% 46%

Nevada 50+ Voters' Presidential Preference

Presidential Trial HeatVoters age 50/over

Barack Obama

Not sure

Mitt Romney

includes 2% leaning Romney

includes 1% leaning Obama

even

What the Economy Means to Nevada Voters 50+ – July 2012 – Hart Research/GS Strategy for AARP23

Nevada 50+ Voters' Presidential Preference, Among Key Subgroups

Obamavoters

46%

50%45%

40%

39%53%

52%42%

Romneyvoters

46%

41%48%

52%

53%40%

44%49%

Differential:Obama – Romney

All voters age 50/over

BoomersRetirees

Whites

MenWomen

Confidence in Retirement: Confident Not confident

Even

+9-3

-12

-14+13

+8-7

What the Economy Means to Nevada Voters 50+ – July 2012 – Hart Research/GS Strategy for AARP24

11%

33%

13%12%

31%

Preference In Nevada Senate Race

Trial Heat for U.S. SenateVoters age 50/over

Shelley Berkley

Not sure

-4

Leaning Berkley

Dean Heller

Leaning Heller

42% BERKLEY

46% HELLER

What the Economy Means to Nevada Voters 50+ – July 2012 – Hart Research/GS Strategy for AARP25

50+ Voters Say It's Hard To Find Objective, Reliable Information About Candidates

How easy/hard is it to find objective and reliable information about the record and positions of candidates running for office this November?

41%

51%

Hard

Nevada voters age 50/over

Easy

Veryhard24%

Very easy19%

Obama voters

Uncommitted

Romney voters

Hard tofind reliableinformation

49%

60%

51%

What the Economy Means to Nevada Voters 50+ – July 2012 – Hart Research/GS Strategy for AARP26

30%59%

28%62%

29%62%

27%62%

23%66%

18%72%

17%74%

Candidates Not Doing Good Job Explaining Their Plans For Addressing Key Problems

Strengthening/reforming Social Security

Reducing the budget deficit

Strengthening and reforming Medicare

Improving public education

Strengthening the economy/creating jobs

Taxes

Improving health care

How good a job have the presidential candidates done explaining their plans on these issues?

Very/fairly good jobNot so good/poor job

Nevada voters age 50/over

What the Economy Means to Nevada Voters 50+ – July 2012 – Hart Research/GS Strategy for AARP27

12%

26%

13%20%

Limited Confidence In Social Security Among Nevada 50+ Voters

How confident are you that Social Security will be there for you and for future generations?

Boomers Retirees

Very confident Somewhat confident Not very confident Not at all confident

42%

58%

45%

54%

What the Economy Means to Nevada Voters 50+ – July 2012 – Hart Research/GS Strategy for AARP28

81%

5%

79%

4%

Strengthening Social Security Is Critical For Economic Security

“The next president and Congress need to strengthen Social Security so that it is able to provide retirement security for future generations.”

Nevada voters age 50/over

94%

“Social Security is critical to the economic security of seniors.”

Somewhat agree DisagreeStrongly agree

94%

Obama votersUncommittedRomney voters

MenWomen

Strongly agree87%77%72%

77%81%

Total agree97%93%92%

93%95%

Obama votersUncommittedRomney voters

MenWomen

Strongly agree87%84%75%

78%85%

Total agree96%95%92%

91%97%

Nevada voters age 50/over

What the Economy Means to Nevada Voters 50+ – July 2012 – Hart Research/GS Strategy for AARP29

55%

55%

33%

54%

52%

49%

52%

Broad Interest In Candidates' Plans For Social Security

All Nevada voters age 50/over

Boomers

Retirees

Democrats

Independents

Republicans

Whites

How helpful would learning the candidates' plans on strengthening and reforming Social Security be in your presidential vote decision?

Very helpful Fairly helpful

66%

65%

70%

50%

67%

69%

68%

What the Economy Means to Nevada Voters 50+ – July 2012 – Hart Research/GS Strategy for AARP30

13%22%

11%19%

Nevada 50+ Voters Are Divided On Medicare's Future

How confident are you that Medicare will be there for you and for future generations?

Boomers Retirees

Very confident Somewhat confident Not very confident Not at all confident

49% 49% 47% 50%

What the Economy Means to Nevada Voters 50+ – July 2012 – Hart Research/GS Strategy for AARP31

80%

6%

78%

5%

Strong Commitment To Medicare Among 50+ Voters In Nevada

“Medicare is critical to maintaining the health of seniors.”

Voters age 50/over

92%

“The next president and Congress need to strengthen Medicare so that it is able to provide health coverage in retirement for future generations.”

Somewhat agree DisagreeStrongly agree

93%

Voters age 50/over

Obama votersUncommittedRomney voters

MenWomen

Strongly agree85%81%75%

76%84%

Total agree94%90%91%

90%94%

Obama votersUncommittedRomney voters

MenWomen

Strongly agree84%71%71%

72%83%

Total agree96%95%88%

88%96%

What the Economy Means to Nevada Voters 50+ – July 2012 – Hart Research/GS Strategy for AARP32

50%

49%

37%

56%

52%

45%

50%

Broad Interest In Candidates' Plans For Medicare

How helpful would learning the candidates' plans on strengthening and reforming Medicare be in your presidential vote decision?

Very helpful Fairly helpful

All Nevada voters age 50/over

Boomers

Retirees

Democrats

Independents

Republicans

Whites

64%

64%

71%

52%

61%

64%

64%

What the Economy Means to Nevada Voters 50+ – July 2012 – Hart Research/GS Strategy for AARP33

84%

5%

90%81% 78%

91%78%

Nevada 50+ Voters Looking For Bipartisan Solution For Social Security And Medicare “Finding a long-term solution for Social Security and Medicare is too big a problem for either party to fix. Instead, Republicans and Democrats need to come together to find a solution to strengthen Social Security and Medicare for future generations.”

Voters age 50/over Demo-crats

Strongly agree Somewhat agree Disagree

93% 97%

86%

Inde-pendents

Repub-licans

Obamavoters

Romneyvoters

90%97%

88%

What The Economy Means To

Nevada Voters 50+

What The Economy Means To

Nevada Voters 50+Key findings from survey conducted July 2012 for

HARTRESEARCHA S S O T E SC I A