Poll: High-Income Retirees Rely On Wide Range of Investments

High-income individuals rely heavily on a wide range of investments to fund their retirements, while their lower-income counterparts say they’ll depend mainly on Social Security, according to a new Gallup poll.

High-income individuals rely heavily on a wide range of investments to fund their retirements, while their lower-income counterparts say they’ll depend mainly on Social Security, according to a new Gallup poll. The difference between the high- income (considered those earning at least $75,000 a year) and the poorer group is dramatic: 72% of the well-heeled will rely largely on a 401(k) or similar account, while only 20% of the less-wealthy group plan to do so. In the wealthier group, 32% will receive income from stocks or mutual funds, vs. 8% of the lower-income group; 33% of the rich retirees count home equity as a major source, vs. 15% of the others. Even in regular savings accounts or CDs, 27% of the $75,000-plus retirees figure them as sources of income, compared with 13% of the other group.