©2011 Lincoln National Corporation201111-2061288

The MOOD of America:Measuring Optimism, Outlook and DirectionPresented by Lincoln Financial Group

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Executive Summary

• Despite the current economic turmoil, Americans remain optimistic

• Two-thirds of Americans are in control of their lives– Being in control contributes to a positive outlook and lower stress– Americans feel more control over their personal lives and health

than their financial futures

• Financial freedom and control are more important than wealth

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Executive Summary

• The MOOD of America survey identified some key behaviors associated with feeling in control:

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The MOOD of America survey found that Americans are optimistic,

resilient and in control

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Americans are Optimistic about Their Futures

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Women are especially positive: 76% of women are optimistic, compared with 67% of men.

Women are especially positive: 76% of women are optimistic, compared with 67% of men.

Somewhat Very

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Americans Believe They Can Always Solve Their Problems

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Strongly agree Somewhat agree

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Financial Control and Freedom are Much More Important than Wealth

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% Very Important

Being in control of your financial

situation

Having enough money to do what

you want to do

Being wealthy

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However, Americans Feel More in Control Over Life/Health than Over Financial Security

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% Very much in control

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Feeling in control of one’s life has a positive impact on

future outlook and stress levels

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2 out of 3 Americans are in Control of Their Lives

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Personal Life

Health

Finances

66% IN CONTROL*

66% IN CONTROL*

* These are individuals who feel very much or somewhat in control of their life in general, personal/family life, health and financial futures.

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Being in Control Contributes to a Positive Outlook

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Very optimisticSomewhat optimistic

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Americans in Control are also More Optimistic about Their Financial Futures

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Very optimisticSomewhat optimistic

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Americans in Control Report Lower Levels of Stress

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% A lot of stress

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The survey uncovered some key behaviors that are associated with

feeling in control

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Cultivating Personal Relationships

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Regularly spend time with family

Currently in love

Regularly make time for friends

(+7%)

(+9%)

(+9%)

Use Facebook to stay in touch (+10%)

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Prioritizing Family Time

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Regularly have family dinners at home

Have children living at home

Regularly help kids with homework

(+9%)

(+7%)

(+8%)

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Being Engaged in the Community

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Volunteer or donate to charity

Will ‘definitely’ vote in next election

Actively support a political candidate

or issue

(+11%)

(+7%)

(+7%)

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Making “Me-Time”

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Take time out of your day to be alone and think

Spend time on a hobby

Have enough time to do the things

you want to do

(+7%)

(+9%)

(+19%)

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Taking Care of Yourself Physically

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Exercise

Take long walks

Regularly go for a dental checkup

(+6%)

(+12%)

(+17%)

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Taking Concrete Steps to Enhance Your Financial Security

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(+6%)

(+28%)

(+19%)

Regularly stay within budget

Regularly put money away for retirement

“I save some money from every paycheck,

even if it isn't a lot”% Agree Completely

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Owning Financial Products

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Have life insurance

Own a retirement account such as

401(k) or IRA

Own financial products other than a retirement, checking

or savings account

(+16%)

(+12%)

(+13%)

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Demographically, those in control are strikingly similar to those not in control

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Demographic Profile

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Total In Control Not In Control

Gender

Male 49% 49% 50%

Female 51% 51% 50%

Age

18 – 44 years old 47% 48% 44%

45 – 64 years old 35% 34% 36%

65 years or older 17% 16% 19%

Don’t know/refused

1% 1% 0%

Region

Northeast 19% 19% 19%

Midwest 23% 23% 23%

South 36% 35% 37%

West 22% 23% 20%

Total In Control Not In Control

Marital Status

Married/domestic partnership/living with someone 69% 70% 68%

Single 15% 15% 16%

Widowed 8% 8% 8%

Divorced 8% 8% 8%

Children living at home 41% 43% 36%

Sexual Orientation

Heterosexual 93% 93% 92%

LGBT 2% 1% 3%

Prefer not to answer/Don’t know 5% 6% 5%

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Demographic Profile

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Total In Control Not In Control

Education

High/technical school 27% 23% 34%

Some college 27% 25% 29%

College graduate or higher 46% 51% 36%

Don’t know/refused 1% 1% 1%

Employment

Employed full/part time 64% 66% 60%

Retired 19% 19% 20%

Unemployed/ temporarily laid off 8% 5% 11%

Other 9% 10% 9%

Don’t know/refused 1% 1% 0%

Total In Control Not In Control

Hispanic/Latino ethnicity 14% 15% 12%

Race

White/Caucasian 71% 69% 73%

Black/AfricanAmerican 11% 13% 8%

Asian 4% 4% 5%

Other 13% 12% 13%

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Financial Profile

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Total In Control Not In Control

Household Income

Less than $50,000 39% 34% 49%

$50,000 to $100,000 39% 40% 36%

$100,000 or more 22% 26% 15%

Financial Situation

Have enough money to do what you want to do 51% 61% 31%

Have enough money to live on when you retire 46% 54% 30%

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Methodology

The MOOD (Measuring Optimism, Outlook and Direction) of America survey results are based on telephone interviews conducted by Whitman Insight Strategies on behalf of Lincoln Financial Group.

Interviews were conducted on November 4-8, 2011, among 803 adults 18 years of age and older across the United States.

The margin of error for total sample is ±3.5% at the 95% confidence interval, and is somewhat higher for subgroups. Respondents were contacted by phone via a live operator; their telephone numbers were selected using random-digit-dial methods. The sample was weighted by age, Hispanic ethnicity, race. Demographic weighting targets are based on the 2010 U.S. Census figures for adults 18 years of age and older.

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