Retired Canadians Spending Less Time Travelling than
Pre-Retirees Anticipate Spending in Their Retirement

Toronto, ON - According to the RBC Myths and Realities poll conducted by Ipsos Reid among Canadians aged 50+ with investable assets of $100,000 or more, retired Canadians are spending less time travelling in retirement then those who are still working anticipate spending in their retirement.

Nearly three quarters (74%) of working Canadians aged 50 and older think that they will be spending their time travelling once retired, but only six in ten (58%) retirees say that that is how they're spending their time. Similarly, three in ten (30%) pre-retirees think that they will be a "snowbird", spending winter down south and summer in Canada, but only 14% of retirees say that they are snowbirds.

Similar reality checks are given in the area of volunteerism as well: while a majority (56%) of pre-retirees think they'll be spending their time volunteering, just four in ten (38%) retirees actually are. Further, four in ten (38%) think they'll be spending their time making a contribution or giving back to the community in their retirement, while just one quarter (26%) indicate that this is how they're spending their time.

Conversely, retirees are finding that that they're spending more time on other areas. Three quarters (74%) say they're taking time for themselves, compared to 70% who think that's what they'll be doing. Nearly half (46%) are improving their health, while just one in three (35%) expect to be doing this. One quarter (23%) are improving their knowledge about finances, while just one in ten (12%) pre-retirees think that they'll be doing that in their retirement.

Below is a list of activities, contrasting answers from those who are working and nearing retirement with those who are retired:

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These are some of the findings of an Ipsos Reid poll conducted between February 25 to March 7, 2011, on behalf of RBC. For this survey, a sample of 2,245 Canadians aged 50 and over with household assets of $100K+ from Ipsos' Canadian online panel was interviewed online. Weighting was then employed to balance demographics to ensure that the sample's composition reflects that of the adult population according to Census data and to provide results intended to approximate the sample universe. A survey with an unweighted probability sample of this size and a 100% response rate would have an estimated margin of error of +/- 2.1 percentage points, 19 times out of 20, of what the results would have been had the entire population of adults in Canada been polled. All sample surveys and polls may be subject to other sources of error, including, but not limited to coverage error, and measurement error.

For more information on this news release, please contact:

Sean Simpson
Associate Vice President
Ipsos Reid
416.572.4474
[email protected]

About Ipsos Reid

Ipsos Reid is Canada's market intelligence leader, the country's leading provider of public opinion research, and research partner for loyalty and forecasting and modelling insights. With operations in eight cities, Ipsos Reid employs more than 600 research professionals and support staff in Canada. The company has the biggest network of telephone call centres in the country, as well as the largest pre-recruited household and online panels. Ipsos Reid's marketing research and public affairs practices offer the premier suite of research vehicles in Canada, all of which provide clients with actionable and relevant information. Staffed with seasoned research consultants with extensive industry-specific backgrounds, Ipsos Reid offers syndicated information or custom solutions across key sectors of the Canadian economy, including consumer packaged goods, financial services, automotive, retail, and technology & telecommunications. Ipsos Reid is an Ipsos company, a leading global survey-based market research group.

To learn more, please visit www.ipsos.ca.

About Ipsos

Ipsos is a leading global survey-based market research company, owned and managed by research professionals. Ipsos helps interpret, simulate, and anticipate the needs and responses of consumers, customers, and citizens around the world.

Member companies assess market potential and interpret market trends. They develop and build brands. They help clients build long-term relationships with their customers. They test advertising and study audience responses to various media. They measure public opinion around the globe. Ipsos member companies offer expertise in advertising, customer loyalty, marketing, media, and public affairs research, as well as forecasting, modeling, and consulting. Ipsos has a full line of custom, syndicated, omnibus, panel, and online research products and services, guided by industry experts and bolstered by advanced analytics and methodologies. The company was founded in 1975 and has been publicly traded since 1999. In 2010, Ipsos generated global revenues of e1.140 billion ($1.6 billion U.S.).

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