Allstate, National Journal Release Inaugural Heartland Monitor Poll Findings Reflect Middle America's Perceptions of Financial R
April 24 2009 - 9:00AM
PR Newswire (US)
Survey shows Americans believe they face more financial risks than
their parents' generations and that financial security is based
more on their own actions than government programs WASHINGTON,
April 24 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The Allstate Corporation
(NYSE:ALL) and National Journal today unveiled the first
installment of the Allstate-National Journal Heartland Monitor, a
series of four surveys conducted by FD, a leading international
strategic communications consultancy, which details how average
Americans are navigating personal financial matters and where they
look for help in doing so. Presenting the survey's findings today
at National Journal Group's headquarters at The Watergate in
Washington, D.C., were Thomas J. Wilson, chairman, president and
CEO of Allstate; Ronald Brownstein, political director of Atlantic
Media Company; and Edward J. Reilly, CEO of FD Americas. The
Heartland Monitor poll follows the frequently cited
Allstate-National Journal Battleground States poll released in fall
2008. This first installment of The Heartland Monitor focused on
how Americans manage and assess the financial risks they face in
their everyday lives, including buying a home, saving for
retirement, affording health care, accumulating assets and
maintaining a reliable income. "As part of society, businesses like
Allstate have a responsibility to take a leadership role on key
issues that are important to a healthy, successful America," Wilson
said. "We believe that dialogue about these survey results can
prompt government and the private sector to create innovative
solutions that help everyday Americans better manage their risks,
create more secure futures, and successfully navigate this
difficult period in our nation's economy." Among its most
significant findings, the Heartland Monitor illustrated that 64
percent of Americans feel today's economy presents more risks than
their parents faced at the same age. This attitude prevailed across
all socioeconomic levels. The survey also found that most Americans
view their own situations better than that of their peers - 56
percent said they were doing a good or excellent job of managing
economic risks and opportunities, while 54 percent rated the
abilities of most Americans to manage economic and financial risks
and opportunities as merely fair. The survey results also revealed
attitudes destined to raise eyebrows and perhaps inspire caution
among political and business leaders. Pluralities of those surveyed
said their own actions would best ensure the ability of themselves
and most Americans to afford health care and save for retirement.
Respondents were equally split on whether corporate leaders and
businesses or political leaders and government will offer the best
ideas and solutions, with both options garnering support from 40
percent of respondents. "While many Americans are looking to
government to provide a more comprehensive safety net, on most
questions, an even larger number places the most emphasis on
personal initiative," Brownstein said. "In the same vein, even amid
the sharpest downturn in 75 years, a majority of those surveyed
believe their own actions have more influence on their economic
fate than events out of their control, like trends in the economy
and the stock market. The survey shows striking variations in
attitudes based on the extent to which Americans have actually
experienced economic reversal, with those that have been the most
exposed being most supportive of an enhanced government role." The
Allstate-National Journal Heartland Monitor poll was conducted by
FD on April 8-14, 2009. Results are from a sample of 1,200 American
adults. Questions asked of the full sample had a margin of error of
plus or minus 2.8 percent. Questions asked of a half sample had a
margin of error of plus or minus 4.0 percent. Video of the release
of the poll results is available online at NextGenWeb.org. Full
results also are available at NationalJournal.com. About Allstate
The Allstate Corporation (NYSE:ALL) is the nation's largest
publicly held personal lines insurer. Widely known through the
"You're In Good Hands With Allstate(R)" slogan, Allstate is
reinventing protection and retirement to help individuals in
approximately 17 million households protect what they have today
and better prepare for tomorrow. Customers can access Allstate
products and services such as auto insurance and homeowners
insurance through approximately 14,700 exclusive Allstate agencies
and financial representatives in the U.S. and Canada, or in select
states at allstate.com and 1-800 Allstate(R). Encompass(R)
Insurance brand property and casualty products are sold exclusively
through independent agents. The Allstate Financial Group provides
life insurance, supplemental accident and health insurance,
annuity, banking and retirement products designed for individual,
institutional and worksite customers that are distributed through
Allstate agencies, independent agencies, financial institutions and
broker-dealers. Customers can also access information about
Allstate Financial Group products and services at
myallstatefinancial.com. About National Journal Group National
Journal Group is the leading source of nonpartisan reporting on the
current political environment and emerging policy trends. Its
print, online and broadcast properties include National Journal,
CongressDaily, The Hotline, NationalJournal.com, The Capital
Source, The Almanac of American Politics, and "Washington Week with
Gwen Ifill and National Journal." About FD One of the most highly
regarded consultancies in the communications industry, FD employs
more than 750 staff and advises more than 1000 clients worldwide
through its hub offices in London and New York, as well as its
network of wholly-owned offices in Bahrain, Beijing, Bogota,
Boston, Brussels, Cape Town, Chicago, Dubai, Dublin, Frankfurt,
Hong Kong, Johannesburg, Los Angeles, Manchester, Melbourne,
Moscow, Panama City, Paris, San Francisco, Shanghai, Sydney and
Washington, DC. With a 20 year history of advising clients in both
the private and public sectors, FD's services include financial
public relations, capital markets communications, public affairs,
crisis and issues management and corporate, business-to-business
and business-to-consumer communications. FD is also a market leader
in M&A advisory work. FD is structured around specialist sector
teams operating on an international basis, covering consumer
industries, financial services, basic industries, business
services, life sciences & healthcare, media, real estate,
technology and telecommunications. FD is a division of FTI
Consulting Inc. (NYSE:FCN), the global business advisory firm. For
more information, please visit http://www.fd.com/. Media Inquiries:
Brendan McManus Tel: (212) 850 5626 Email: DATASOURCE: Allstate
Corporation CONTACT: Brendan McManus for Allstate Corporation,
+1-212-850-5626, Web Site: http://www.allstate.com/
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