E*TRADE Study Reveals the Investing Habits and Challenges of Single Women

Retirement takes a backseat with nearly half of this population taking early withdrawals

Retirement takes a backseat with nearly half of this population taking early withdrawals (Graphic: Business Wire)

ARLINGTON, Va.--()--E*TRADE Financial Corporation (NASDAQ: ETFC) today announced insights from its most recent wave of StreetWise, the E*TRADE quarterly tracking study of experienced investors. As part of its Diversity in Financial Services Thought Leadership series, E*TRADE examines niche investor populations to create a more inclusive environment around personal finance and break down the barriers of taboo money conversations. In conjunction with Women’s History Month, E*TRADE analyzed trends among single female investors, a segment which is expected to make up almost half of the working female population between the ages of 25–44 in the next 10 years.1 Results show:

  • Single women show outsized interest in less conventional investments. Single females are more interested in marijuana securities (35%) blockchain and crypto-related securities (33%), and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) investments (29%), compared to 26%, 24%, and 18% of the total population respectively. Almost two out of five single women (37%) are more likely to invest abroad than domestically, compared to 29% of the total population.
  • Many take early retirement withdrawals. More than two out of five single women (43%) have taken early withdrawals from their retirement accounts, compared to one third of the total population (33%). They’ve dipped into their retirement account for a large purchase (17%), a medical emergency (15%), unemployment (12%), or education costs (12%).
  • They show pronounced interest in emerging benefits. Single females are more likely to be interested in financial wellness benefits like student loan refinancing (24%) and education reimbursements (42%), compared to 17% and 34% of the total population, respectively.

“Many single people carry the financial burden of an entire household, which can make it difficult to prioritize and visualize long-term financial goals when you’re trying to stay above water on the day-to-day,” said Kerry McDermott, Senior Director of E*TRADE Advisor Services. “For those who are hesitant to get started, it bears repeating that it’s critical to create a foundation, however small. Over time, the power of compounding can help women build their wealth and put them on the path to financial security.”

E*TRADE aims to enhance the financial independence of traders and investors through a powerful digital offering and professional guidance.

To learn more about E*TRADE trading and investing platforms and tools, visit etrade.com.

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About the Survey

This wave of the survey was conducted from January 1 to January 10 of 2020 among an online US sample of 907 self-directed active investors, composed of 121 single female investors, who manage at least $10,000 in an online brokerage account. The survey has a margin of error of ±3.20 percent at the 95 percent confidence level. It was fielded and administered by Dynata. The panel is broken into thirds of active (trade more than once a week), swing (trade less than once a week but more than once a month), and passive (trade less than once a month). The panel is 60% male and 40% female, with an even distribution across online brokerages, geographic regions, and age bands.

Referenced Data:

In general, please rate your current interest in each of the following...

Total

Single Females

Blockchain and crypto-related securities

24%

33%

Marijuana securities

26%

35%

ESG investments

18%

29%

Real estate

43%

53%

Renewable resources

42%

52%

Payment stocks

38%

46%

 

I am more likely to invest abroad than domestically this quarter.

Total

Single Females

Agree (Top 2 Box)

29%

37%

Strong agree

10%

16%

Somewhat agree

19%

21%

Neither agree nor disagree

27%

30%

Somewhat disagree

29%

26%

Strongly disagree

15%

7%

Disagree (Bottom 2 Box)

44%

33%

 

Have you ever taken out money from an IRA or 401(k) before the age of 59.5 and, if so, for what?

Total

Single Females

No

67%

57%

Yes

33%

43%

Yes, to make a large purchase

12%

17%

Yes, because I became unemployed

11%

12%

Yes, to pay for education

8%

12%

Yes, for a medical emergency

8%

15%

Yes, to simply spend on myself or my family

6%

11%

Yes, to spend on a vacation

4%

6%

 

Which of the following benefits that a potential employer could provide would be the most important to you?

Total

Single Females

Retirement plans

82%

79%

Insurance other than health (e.g., life, legal, and auto)

63%

62%

Employer stock at a discount or bonus

48%

41%

Education reimbursement

34%

42%

Commuter benefits

24%

28%

Gym discounts

19%

17%

Student loan refinancing

17%

24%

Product discounts

12%

7%

About E*TRADE Financial and Important Notices

1. Morgan Stanley, “Rise of the SHEconomy,” Morgan Stanley, September 23, 2019. https://www.morganstanley.com/ideas/womens-impact-on-the-economy

Automatic Investment Plans and dollar-cost averaging do not ensure a profit or protect against a loss in declining markets.

E*TRADE Financial and its subsidiaries provide financial services including brokerage and banking products and services to retail customers. Securities products and services are offered by E*TRADE Securities LLC (Member FINRA/SIPC). Commodity futures and options on futures products and services are offered by E*TRADE Futures LLC (Member NFA). Managed Account Solutions are offered through E*TRADE Capital Management, LLC, a Registered Investment Adviser. Bank products and services are offered by E*TRADE Bank, and RIA custody solutions are offered by E*TRADE Savings Bank, both of which are national federal savings banks (Members FDIC). More information is available at www.etrade.com. ETFC-G

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Contacts

E*TRADE Media Relations
646-521-4418
mediainq@etrade.com

E*TRADE Investor Relations
646-521-4406
IR@etrade.com

Contacts

E*TRADE Media Relations
646-521-4418
mediainq@etrade.com

E*TRADE Investor Relations
646-521-4406
IR@etrade.com