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  • report

    Public More Optimistic About the Economy, But Still Reluctant to Spend

    Overview The public is increasingly optimistic that the nation’s economy will improve in the next year, while a growing number also expect their personal finances to get better. But this has not caused people to open their wallets: The proportion saying they have cut back on personal spending remains as high as it was earlier […]

  • report

    Obama’s Ratings Remain High Despite Some Policy Concerns

    Overview A solid majority of Americans (61%) continue to approve of Barack Obama’s job performance, although they express mixed views of several of his policies. An important positive sign for Obama is the public’s continued optimism that his policies will improve the economy – fully 65% express this view. A smaller majority (55%) is optimistic […]

  • report

    Cockeyed Optimists or Self-Fulfilling Prophets?

    Even while their personal worries have deepened, Americans have been feeling more upbeat about the national economy’s prospects and less concerned about rising inequality. What underlies this trend and can it be sustained?

  • short reads

    Empty Nest Eggs

    Just over half of all working adults ages 50 to 64 say they have thought in the past year about postponing retirement.

  • report

    Gen Next Squeezed By Recession, But Most See Better Times Ahead

    While the economic downturn is falling quite heavily on younger Americans, their overall outlook remains optimistic. A new survey also finds Generation Next expressing more liberal views when compared with older age cohorts as well as evidence of increased political engagement.

  • report

    Most Middle-Aged Adults Are Rethinking Retirement Plans

    In the midst of a recession that has taken a heavy toll on many nest eggs, just over half of all working adults ages 50 to 64 say they may delay their retirement — and another 16% say they never expect to stop working.

  • report

    Different Age Groups, Different Recessions

    Older adults are less likely than younger and middle-aged adults to say that in the past year they have cut back on spending; suffered losses in their retirement accounts; or experienced trouble paying for housing or medical care.

  • report

    Minorities, Immigrants and Homeownership

    The boom-and-bust cycle in the U.S. housing market over the past decade and a half has generated greater gains and larger losses for minority groups than it has for whites, according to an analysis of housing, economic and demographic data.

  • report

    Support for Free Trade Recovers Despite Recession

    Overview Despite the economic recession, public support for free trade agreements has recovered after declining a year ago. Currently, 44% say that free trade agreements like NAFTA and the policies of the World Trade Organization are good for the country, up from 35% a year ago. Slightly more than a third (35%) say that such […]