Short takes: Consumers Said to Fret Nest Egg's Too Small

Consumers who use accountants as financial planners are concerned that they aren't saving enough for retirement and may not be able to retire comfortably.

That's one finding in a poll conducted by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants earlier this month.

Some 180 CPAs were asked what concerns their clients raised when planning for their retirement.

Of those consumers who felt their retirement goals were on target, most were worried that taxes would consume too much of their income. Respondents who had not yet started retirement planning said they had delayed because of insufficient income or lack of knowledge about investment strategies.

James A. Shambo, chairman of the institute's personal financial planning division, traces many of the problems back to the 1970s when he said consumers developed a "live-for-today" attitude that has persisted.

"Americans were encouraged to go into debt, acquire as much real estate as possible, then ride the wave," he said.

He added that financial planners today should encourage consumers to start saving early and help "unravel the complexities of financial products."

The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants represents more than 320,000 members in public practice, industry, government, and education.

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