OMG! 20-Somethings Stressed by $45,000 in Average Debt

PITTSBURGH, March 19, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Twenty-somethings' mounting debt is taking its toll, as 60 percent of the generation who grew up amid economic growth and graduated into a hard-hitting recession say they feel stressed about their outstanding debt, according to a survey by The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. (NYSE: PNC).

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The unique study compares responses among Generation Y and reveals that both low- and high-interest-rate debt increases with age, while the portion of income saved decreases in the late 20s.

These findings are part of the first-ever PNC Financial Independence Survey, which sought insights into the financial mindset of 20-somethings who make up nearly a third of the U.S. population and represent one of the largest generations in history.

"Twenty-somethings are challenged with a balancing act between saving for the future and paying down their debt," said Shannon Johnson, director, consumer checking and rewards, PNC. "Though budgeting can seem overwhelming, Millennials have the luxury of time to develop a strategy and more resources than any other generation to better manage their money and achieve their financial goals."

Findings: Walking the Tightrope of Savings and Debt

Overwhelmed by debt:

• Debt Burden Increases with Age: On average, their total debt is $45,000, ranging from $12,000 for ages 20-21 to $78,000 for 28-29 year olds holding debt.
• Investing in Education: Over half of those surveyed hold education debt throughout their twenties. Education loans are the most frequently reported type of debt followed by credit card (ranging from 20-48 percent from age 20-29), car loans (9-38 percent) and mortgages (3-29 percent).

Saving to survive:

• Short-term Savers: 94 percent of those surveyed said that they save, either when they can or on a regular basis. Asked the reasons, more are saving for the short term than the long haul—53 percent are saving for a big purchase, 41 percent are saving for a trip in the next 12 months and only 36 percent and 38 percent are saving for a house and retirement, respectively.
• Saving for Retirement: Most 20-somethings put off thinking about funding retirement until they're approaching 30. Only 13 percent of 20-21 year-olds report saving for retirement, compared with nearly 50 percent of 28-29 year-olds.

Tips: Establish a 'Safety Net' and Gain Control

PNC's Johnson offers the following tips to help Generation Y navigate the balancing act of savings and debt and build the confidence to control their finances:

• Knowledge is power.  Educate yourself on money management and financial planning. Visit your bank's website and read personal finance news stories and blogs to better understand your financial situation and craft a detailed budget.
• Use the tools. Millennials have more tools for financial management and education, online and on their smartphones, than any generation before them. Use online and mobile tools, such as PNC Virtual Wallet®, to see all your accounts in one place, share advice, establish a budget and set up alerts to help with money management.
• Debt evaluation. Examine your debt and interest rates. Focus on paying down the balance on accounts with high interest rates first.
• Create a Safety Net. Try to keep between 3-6 months of living expenses in a 'safety net' savings account. This account can help you from falling further into debt should you have an unforeseen expense.
• Think long-term. Set up regular contributions for a 401(k). If you aren't working or are not eligible for your employer's retirement plan, set up an IRA or Roth IRA in order to begin saving for retirement early. Time is on your side to grow your nest egg.

The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. (www.pnc.com) is one of the nation's largest diversified financial services organizations providing retail and business banking; residential mortgage banking; specialized services for corporations and government entities, including corporate banking, real estate finance and asset-based lending; wealth management and asset management. Follow @PNCNews on Twitter for breaking news, updates and announcements from PNC.

Methodology

The Financial Independence Survey was commissioned by PNC to identify attitudes and behaviors about personal finances among those ages 20-29 with some college education. The survey was conducted online within the United States from July 22 to July 27, 2011 among a nationwide cross section of 2,000 participants. Sampling error for the total results is +/- 2 percent at the 95 percent confidence level. The survey was designed and managed by Artemis Strategy Group.

This report has been prepared for general informational purposes only and is not intended as specific advice or recommendations. Information has been gathered from third-party sources and has not been independently verified or accepted by The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. PNC makes no representations or warranties as to the accuracy or completeness of the information, assumptions, analyses or conclusions presented in the report. PNC cannot be held responsible for any errors or misrepresentations contained in the report or in the information gathered from third party sources. Any reliance upon the information provided in the report is solely and exclusively at your own risk.

CONTACT:

Lauren Ban
(412) 768-5770
lauren.ban@pnc.com

SOURCE PNC Financial Services Group, Inc.