Americans ages 19 to 39–the so-called Generations X and Y–know more about how to use an iPod than they do about financial matters, a new study suggests.
The Employee Benefits Research Institute, Washington, asked people in the age groups how knowledgeable they are about a list of items.
The largest number, 40%, said they were very knowledgeable about how to use an iPod, the portable media player.
Only 32% said they were very knowledgeable about buying a car, how to stick to a budget, and eliminating or avoiding debt.
Just 14% said they know how the Social Security system works, while 15% said they know how to save for retirement and 15% knew how to invest money outside the work place.
The survey of 1,700 individuals was sponsored by the American Savings Education Council, a program backed by EBRI and Divided We Fail, a coalition of the AARP, the Business Roundtable, Service Employees International Union, and the National Federation of Independent Business.
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