More blacks cut savings, investing during economic downturn

A recent survey found that half of all blacks, compared with 31 percent of whites with household incomes of at least $50,000, dipped into savings to make ends meet in the last two years...

TheGrio Staff

Jul 22, 2010

From Chicago Sun-Times

Middle-class blacks are more likely than whites to have reduced their saving and investing to make it through the recession, according to the 2010 Ariel Black Investor Survey released today.

It found that nearly half of all blacks, compared with 31 percent of whites with household incomes of at least $50,000, dipped into savings to make ends meet in the last two years.

Among blacks who participate in 401(k) plans, 27 percent reduced the amount they contribute per month, compared with 16 percent of whites. Twenty-two percent of non-retired blacks borrowed or withdrew money from a retirement account, compared with 14 percent of whites. The median amount blacks contributed to their retirement plans is $230 per month, compared with $337 a month contributed by whites, the survey found. The findings mark the first time in a decade that black households have reported saving less than $200 per month.

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