Job Security High Among Younger Workers

Bankrate Inc. (NYSE: RATE) compiles a financial security index based on a survey of six questions posed to about 1,000 respondents living in the continental United States. Overall, the financial security index reading came in at 102.4, indicating that Americans are feeling a bit more secure than they did a year ago.

The more you earn, the more secure you feel. According to Bankrate’s survey, 44% of respondents making at least $75,000 a year are comfortable with their debt levels, while only 25% of those making less feel comfortable.

Nearly half of all respondents making at least $75,000 a year say their net worth is higher than it was a year ago. Just 15% of those making less than $50,000 say their net worth is higher.

When asked about their overall financial situation compared with a year ago, 29% said it was better, 20% said it was worse and 49% said it was about the same. Among Democrats, 22% say they are worse off today, compared with 14% of Republicans. And among young workers, 44% say they are doing better, and only 25% of those older than 30 say they are doing better.

As the following chart shows, Bankrate’s financial security index has hovered around 100 for the past four months, and this month’s reading is the best in more than a year. The improving employment climate certainly has helped, but we will have to see what happens now that interest rates have started rising again.