Financial confidence glass half empty for many Americans 50 and older

A recent AARP survey finds respondents age 50 and older are more likely than their younger counterparts to be pessimistic about their health and their finances.

Key findings include:

• More than three-quarters of all respondents, age 18 and older, say they are optimistic about their future in the next five years with regards to their family, 86 percent; their health, 78 percent; and their community, 74 percent. They are less optimistic about their finances, 65 percent, and the country, 57 percent.
• Sixteen percent of respondents age 50 and older are very or somewhat pessimistic about their future with regard to their health, compared to 8 percent of those under age 50.
• Twenty-eight percent of those age 50 and older are pessimistic regarding their finances, compared to 18 percent of individuals younger than age 50.
• Fifty-seven percent of the survey participants believe within the next five years most people will be eating healthy foods, and 52 percent believe people will be exercising regularly. Less than half, 45 percent, believe most people will cut back on high-fat foods.

Source: AARP