A study in 2003 by the Federal Reserve showed only:
- 39% of adults in America had enough saved to cover three months of expenses.
- 48% said they could spend $400 on an emergency. This was without borrowing money or selling something they owned.
A 2015 survey by the Employee Research Institute, found that 26% of American workers ages 45 to 54 have not started putting money away for retirement. Making them more susceptible to problems caused by economic weakness. Similar to the 21st century recession.