#RelationshipGoals: New Study by John Hancock Finds 33 Percent of Couples Anxious About Saving Money Together with 84 Percent Looking to Technology for Help

BOSTON, Jan. 17, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- John Hancock today released a new study, #RelationshipGoals: How Americans are Saving Together, which found that while 74 percent of couples share a checking account and 68 percent sharing a savings account, nearly one-third have feelings of anxiety, confusion or fear when it comes to saving with their partner. The study comes on the heels of John Hancock's launch of Twine, a new collaborative saving and investing app built for couples to help simplify saving for major life milestones. The app was also recently highlighted by Apple as the "App of the Day."

One thousand adults in long-term relationships were surveyed for the study, asking how and why finances are managed collaboratively, what their top financial goals are and why long-term goals can be especially hard to reach.

Can we Talk?

Communication was found to be the biggest challenge when it comes to saving money together, with 57 percent of those surveyed noting they avoid bringing it up on a daily or weekly basis. Despite a majority of respondents indicating they talk to their partner about financial goals, it's the how and where they are talking about these goals that may be impacting getting on the same page and truly working toward achieving them:

• 70% discuss financial goals only sporadically or during a casual conversation
• 52% discuss them over a meal at home
• 21% discuss over a meal in a restaurant
• 8% discuss them via text message.

"These findings highlight a key issue for consumers navigating their finances: saving and managing money can be difficult and confusing," said Steve Dorval, head of advice and innovation at John Hancock. "We see a major opportunity here to help couples and families reach their financial goals through technology, with hopes that we can make saving money a painless experience that empowers people to live their best lives."

If I had a million dollars...

For those who are willing to pool their finances, the likelihood to impulse purchase or splurge when extra money comes in is hindering couples' ability to reach life goals. To reveal more about saving versus spending amongst partners, respondents were asked to share how they allocate extra funds - whether they are gifted, received as a bonus or won. Results showed that the smaller the reward, the less likely people are to save it, and the more likely they are to spend it alone rather than with their partner. Large sums of money, while great to put in a savings account or retirement fund, are fewer and far between, and relying on a yearly tax return or holiday bonus to reach financial goals just delays crossing the finish the line. 

Where would you put extra cash?

"The survey validates what we have heard from focus groups and early Twine users - they want to work together with their partner to achieve the important goals that make life worth living, but need more education and helpful tools to help them make progress," said Uri Pomerantz, founder and CEO of Twine. "Our goal in developing Twine is to provide a solution that simplifies saving and investing for couples, helping to keep everyone on track with an eye toward their goals."

The team at Twine offers the following #SavingsHacks for couples can try determined from the study:

1. Consider using technology to help keep on the same page about their goals. Of the 38 percent of survey respondents who are using an app or technology to manage or save their money, more than three-quarters (84 percent) said it has helped them in some way - whether that's saving more money, saving faster or forcing saving behaviors.
   
   
2. Save in smaller, consistent amounts. It's more successful, and far more predictable.
   
   
3. Pick a goal to achieve in the next one, five, 10, even 20 years, and figure out how much to save monthly. Establish a timeline for and commit to an automatic savings plan

Methodology

This report was commissioned by John Hancock and fielded by independent research firm Equation Research in November 2017. The responses were generated from a survey 1,013 people ages 25+, who self-identified as being in a committed relationship for two years or more and have a household income of at least $50,000.

About Twine by John Hancock

Twine is the first savings app built for two. It simplifies saving for major milestones like weddings, down payments and vacations. With a simple interface and intuitive dashboard, Twine makes it easy to open and manage goal accounts and keeps you and your partner on the same page. Twine is backed by John Hancock, leveraging the company's 150 years of stability and expertise to provide bank-level security to keep user information and accounts safe. Twine is currently available for iOS in the App Store. To download, visit http://apple.co/2BZWCjJ. Twine is a service provided by John Hancock Personal Financial Services, LLC, an SEC registered investment adviser.

About John Hancock and Manulife
John Hancock is a division of Manulife Financial Corporation, a leading international financial services group that helps people achieve their dreams and aspirations by putting customers' needs first and providing the right advice and solutions. We operate primarily as John Hancock in the United States, and Manulife elsewhere. We provide financial advice, insurance and wealth and asset management solutions for individuals, groups and institutions. Assets under management and administration by Manulife and its subsidiaries were over $1 trillion (US$806 billion) as of September 30, 2017. Manulife Financial Corporation trades as MFC on the TSX, NYSE, and PSE, and under 945 on the SEHK. Manulife can be found at manulife.com.

One of the largest life insurers in the United States, John Hancock supports approximately 10 million Americans with a broad range of financial products, including life insurance, annuities, investments, 401(k) plans, and college savings plans. We also offer advice through Signator, a network of independent financial advisors. Additional information about John Hancock may be found at johnhancock.com.

PR-2018-04

SOURCE John Hancock

Related Links

http://www.johnhancock.com