Burson-Marsteller and Penn Schoen Berland (PSB), launched the seventh consecutive The Atlantic/Aspen Institute survey, an exclusive poll unveiling Americans’ views on the direction of their country. The quantitative survey collected insights from 1,988 members of the general population and 513 broad elites in the U.S. Most notably, this year’s survey found that Americans are overwhelmingly optimistic about their personal lives and ability to live the “American Dream,” even though three fourths are worried the Dream is suffering overall.

1. The Atlantic/Aspen Institute
The American Dream
June 2015
The Atlantic/Aspen Institute
The American Dream
July 2015
1
What Does the American Dream Mean in 2015?
Summary Report

2. The Atlantic/Aspen Institute
The American Dream
June 2015
2
The Atlantic/Aspen Institute
The American Dream
June 2015
PSB conducted an quantitative online survey in the US among 1,988 Gen Pop and 513 Broad Elites.
Methodology
Audiences PolledMethodology
SAMPLING
US
Gen Pop Broad Elites
Sample Size 1988 513
Margin of Error** ±1.75% ±3.58%
TIMING: June 8 - June 19, 2015 Gen Pop
Broad Elites
• College graduate or higher
• Income of $75,000 or more a year
• Engaged with politics/technology
Research Objectives:
 Defining the Dream—associations and obtainability of the American Dream
 Identifying barriers to the Dream—greatest obstacles to achieving the dream
 Reducing Barriers—Identifying whether there is a need or not, who is responsible, and best methods to reduce barriers
 Understanding American perceptions surrounding the American Dream today— core concepts of the dream, prevalence, and
views on the nation as a whole
2

3. The Atlantic/Aspen Institute
The American Dream
June 2015
The Atlantic/Aspen Institute
The American Dream
June 2015
Q31. Which of the following is closer to your view? (Right track/Wrong track)
Q32. Which of the following is closer to your view? (Best days still ahead, Best days behind us)
Americans are pessimistic about the direction of the nation country
43
36
57
64
Elites
Gen Pop
America’s Current Course
Currently on the right track Currently on the wrong track
3

4. The Atlantic/Aspen Institute
The American Dream
June 2015
The Atlantic/Aspen Institute
The American Dream
June 2015
Q128. Which of the following is closer to your view?
Most Americans believe that the American Dream is “suffering”
35
25
65
75
Elites
Gen Pop
The American Dream is…
Alive and Well Suffering
4

5. The Atlantic/Aspen Institute
The American Dream
June 2015
The Atlantic/Aspen Institute
The American Dream
June 2015
Q202. Which of the following is closer to your view?
Americans perceive the obstacles to attaining the American Dream to be more
severe today than in the past
34
31
66
69
Elites
Gen Pop
Obstacles to Realizing the
American Dream
Obstacles to realizing the American Dream are no more severe today than they’ve ever been
Obstacles to realizing the American Dream are more severe today than ever
5

6. The Atlantic/Aspen Institute
The American Dream
June 2015
The Atlantic/Aspen Institute
The American Dream
June 2015
Q130. Do you believe you are living the American Dream?
Q132. Do you believe you will have the opportunity to achieve the American Dream in your lifetime?
Almost three-quarters of Americans believe they are currently living the dream or
will be able to attain it in the future
28
14
22
14
50
72
Gen Pop Elites
Do you believe you are living
the American Dream?
Not living the dream, and don't believe they can Not living the dream, but believe they can Living the dream
6
72
86

7. The Atlantic/Aspen Institute
The American Dream
June 2015
The Atlantic/Aspen Institute
The American Dream
June 2015
23 26
37
27 32
18 17 18
36 26
12
7
17 39
28 27
41 48 51
66
51
43
55 55
30 or under 31-50 51-64 65+ White African
American
Latino/Hispanic Asian
Do you believe you are living
the American Dream?
Not living the dream, and don't believe they can Not living the dream, but believe they can Living the dream
Q130. Do you believe you are living the American Dream?
Q132. Do you believe you will have the opportunity to achieve the American Dream in your lifetime?
77% of Millennials say that they are living the dream or believe they can, racial
minorities more optimistic than white Americans
7
77 74
63
73 68
82 83 82

8. The Atlantic/Aspen Institute
The American Dream
June 2015
The Atlantic/Aspen Institute
The American Dream
June 2015
Most Americans are satisfied with their lives and optimistic about their future
Q12. How satisfied are you with your life?
Q13. How optimistic are you about your future?
4 1
10
6
50
41
36
52
Gen Pop Elites
Optimism about Future
3
12
5
49
39
36
56
Gen Pop Elites
Satisfaction with Life
8
Very Satisfied
Somewhat Dissatisfied
Somewhat Satisfied
Very Dissatisfied
Very Optimistic
Somewhat Pessimistic
Somewhat Optimistic
Very Pessimistic
85
95 86 93

9. The Atlantic/Aspen Institute
The American Dream
June 2015
The Atlantic/Aspen Institute
The American Dream
June 2015
Most Americans feel secure about their personal financial situation and are
happy with their current employment
Q27. Are you happy or unhappy in your job?
9
3 1
8 8
17
11
45
49
27 31
Gen Pop Elites
Happiness with Job
Neither Happy nor Unhappy
Completely Happy
Somewhat Unhappy
Somewhat Happy
Completely Unhappy
80
72
11 1
22
11
49
51
18
37
Gen Pop Elites
Feelings About Personal Financial Security
Very Secure
Somewhat Insecure
Somewhat Secure
Very Insecure
67
88

10. The Atlantic/Aspen Institute
The American Dream
June 2015
The Atlantic/Aspen Institute
The American Dream
June 2015
Q140.mA-Q170.mA. How attainable are each of the following for the average American?
Most believe that the key characteristics of the American Dream are achievable
10
76
60
53
77
89
74
49
85
72
87
82
68
62
87
94
78
52
92
82
92
Living
comfortably
Achieving
financial security
Being debt-free Providing a
comfortable
quality of life for
your family
A healthy
marriage
Owning a nice
home
Having
affordable
healthcare
Pursuing
happiness
Being free to
pursue your
personal or
professional
passions
Getting ahead
through hard
work
How Attainable are the Most Important Characteristics of the American Dream?
Top 10 Most Important Elements of American Dream Shown
Top 2 Box Shown
Ranked by Most Important
GenPop Broad Elite

11. The Atlantic/Aspen Institute
The American Dream
June 2015
The Atlantic/Aspen Institute
The American Dream
June 2015
Q23. Which of the following is closer to your ideal in terms of where to live?
Most Americans consider suburban neighborhoods closest to their “ideal” in
terms of where to live neighborhood
64
53
19
19
15
26
1
2
Broad Elites
Gen Pop
Ideal Place to Live
In a family-oriented, suburban neighborhood In a vibrant urban neighborhood In a more rural area Something else
11

12. The Atlantic/Aspen Institute
The American Dream
June 2015
The Atlantic/Aspen Institute
The American Dream
June 2015
Q23. Which of the following is closer to your ideal in terms of where to live?
Millennials also prefer the suburbs and are only slightly more interested in urban
living than other age cohorts
63
53
53
53
29
29
32
14
8
16
14
31
3
2
Asian
Latino/Hispanic
African-Americans
White
Ideal Place to Live
In a family-oriented, suburban neighborhood
In a vibrant urban neighborhood
In a more rural area
Something else
50
53
54
52
15
15
19
24
31
29
25
23
4
3
1
1
65+
51-64
31-50
30 or under
Ideal Place to Live
In a family-oriented, suburban neighborhood
In a vibrant urban neighborhood
In a more rural area
Something else
12

13. The Atlantic/Aspen Institute
The American Dream
June 2015
The Atlantic/Aspen Institute
The American Dream
June 2015
Most respondents have a PC, car, flat-screen TV and smart phone
Q17. Which of the following items do you or your immediate family have or own? Please select all that apply.
89
85
82
76
71
61
55 55
45
33 33
90
94
91
88
94
83 83 83
73
70 72
Personal
Computer
Car Flat-screen TV Healthcare
coverage
Smartphone A living wage House or
Condominium
Tablet Home office/
Den/ Family
room
6 months of
emergency
savings
A financial
plan for
retirement
Item Ownership
Gen Pop Elites
• Broad Elites are more than twice as likely to have 6 months emergency savings and a retirement plan vs.
Gen Pop
13

14. The Atlantic/Aspen Institute
The American Dream
June 2015
The Atlantic/Aspen Institute
The American Dream
June 2015
Americans who do not believe they are living the American Dream have much
less in terms of savings or retirement planning than those living the Dream
Q17. Which of the following items do you or your immediate family have or own? Please select all that apply.
88 88
84
80
71 71
67
59 58
47 45
89
81 81
73
70
50
44
51
31
19 20
Personal
Computer
Car Flat-screen TV Healthcare
coverage
Smartphone A living wage House or
Condominium
Tablet Home office/
Den/ Family
room
6 months of
emergency
savings
A financial
plan for
retirement
Item Ownership
Living the American Dream Not Living the American Dream
14

15. The Atlantic/Aspen Institute
The American Dream
June 2015
The Atlantic/Aspen Institute
The American Dream
June 2015
Q139. Which of the following are most important to your, personal, American Dream? Please select top 5 that apply.
Most Important Themes of the American
Dream
Ranked by 30 or Younger
30 or
younger
31-50 51-64 65+
Financial Security 80 75 80 83
Being debt-free 37 31 40 42
Achieving financial security 31 35 41 46
Getting ahead through hard work 17 17 19 22
Retiring when you want 13 13 20 20
Owning your own business 11 7 6 3
Being/becoming wealthy 10 11 4 2
Traditional family values 67 68 66 68
A healthy marriage 29 26 27 30
Owning a nice home 25 26 27 26
Having kids 20 15 10 11
Having access to a good education 14 14 14 18
My children attending college 13 17 12 8
Living in a family-oriented suburban community 8 9 4 4
Personal happiness 61 52 56 49
Pursuing happiness 32 23 18 15
Being free to pursue your personal or professional passions 18 18 19 19
A healthy balance between my professional and personal
lives
18 18 20 11
Lifelong friends 17 9 15 15
Living near your peers 2 1 1 0
Most Important Themes of the American
Dream
(cont.)
30 or
younger
31-50 51-64 65+
Comfort, quality of life 48 62 71 73
Living comfortably 31 39 47 49
Providing a comfortable quality of life for your family 21 38 38 42
Luxury 32 23 20 15
Traveling to other countries 9 5 3 5
Owning a nice car 6 7 7 5
Taking yearly vacations 7 6 7 5
Having the latest technology 6 5 2 1
Membership in exclusive social club or organization 5 1 0 0
Access to great technology and entertainment online 3 1 2 0
Having a vacation or second home 2 2 2 1
Helping Others 22 23 24 29
Helping others 14 14 19 22
Having a job that has a meaningful impact on my
community/society
9 10 7 11
Having affordable healthcare 11 20 33 38
Living in a vibrant urban neighborhood 7 4 3 2
Other 0 1 1 3
All ages view Financial Security as central to their own, personal American Dream
15
Top 2 Answers

16. The Atlantic/Aspen Institute
The American Dream
June 2015
The Atlantic/Aspen Institute
The American Dream
June 2015
Professional Goals
Ranked by Gen Pop
30 or
Under
31-50 51-64 65+
Having a good work/life balance 45 49 45 37
Pays a lot of money 46 40 31 23
Working near where you live or having an easy commute 18 30 36 39
Having flexibility in when and where you work 27 31 30 21
Working in a fun workplace environment 30 22 28 21
Reflects your personal passions 28 20 19 15
Making an impact 20 16 16 17
Working in a humane, nurturing workplace environment 9 13 16 15
Having opportunities for training and development 11 13 9 11
Being able to navigate your own career path 9 8 7 8
Being able to take on new professional challenges 8 9 6 9
Uses the most up-to-date technology 7 7 5 4
Being able to support social causes that are important to you 6 5 5 6
Encourages an entrepreneurial spirit 6 4 4 2
Traveling for work 6 4 3 5
Offers opportunities to work abroad 3 5 3 3
None of the above 4 6 11 19
Q30. Thinking a little more about your professional goals... Please pick the three things that would be the most important elements of
your ideal job situation. Please select your top 3.
Younger Americans want jobs that Pay a lot of money, whereas older Americans
are interested in Work/life balance and an Easy commute
16
Top Answers

17. The Atlantic/Aspen Institute
The American Dream
June 2015
The Atlantic/Aspen Institute
The American Dream
June 2015
15
6
85
94
Gen Pop Elites
10 12
20 17
90 88
80 83
30 or Younger 31-50 51-64 65+
23
5 3
16
77
95 97
84
White African
American
Latino/
Hispanic
Asian
Americans 51-64 are the most pessimistic about their future, particularly among
white Americans
Q12. How satisfied are you with your life?
Q13. How optimistic are you about your future?
17
Optimistic Pessimistic
Optimism about Future
51-64
All Age Ethnicity among 51-64

18. The Atlantic/Aspen Institute
The American Dream
June 2015
The Atlantic/Aspen Institute
The American Dream
June 2015
Q175. Do you think getting married is part of the American dream?
Q176. Do you think having children is part of the American dream?
When asked directly, Millennials are the most likely of all age cohorts to indicate
that marriage and having children are part of the American Dream
62
51
42
47
30 or under 31-50 51-64 65+
Is Marriage Part of the American
Dream?
% Yes Shown
62
55
48
53
30 or under 31-50 51-64 65+
Is Having Children Part of the American
Dream?
% Yes Shown
18

19. The Atlantic/Aspen Institute
The American Dream
June 2015
The Atlantic/Aspen Institute
The American Dream
June 2015
Q173. Which of the following is closer to your view?
Q174. How does your race impact your ability to achieve the American dream?
Roughly one-third of Americans believe race is an important factor for attaining
the American Dream, though most don’t believe it has affected them personally
30
22
53
60
17
18
Broad Elites
Gen Pop
The Impact of Race on
Achieving the American Dream
Probably helps me
Probably has no impact for me
Probably makes it more difficult for me
39
34
61
66
Broad
Elites
Gen Pop
The Importance of Race and Availability of
The American Dream
Race is an important factor Race is not an important factor
• However over half of both audiences believe it has made it more difficult for them
19

20. The Atlantic/Aspen Institute
The American Dream
June 2015
The Atlantic/Aspen Institute
The American Dream
June 2015
Q173. Which of the following is closer to your view?
Q174. How does your race impact your ability to achieve the American dream?
African-Americans believe that race is an important factor in the availability of
the American Dream and has affected them personally
31
22
11
24
49
48
32
68
20
30
57
8
Asian
Latino/Hispanic
African-American
White
The Impact of Race on
Achieving the American Dream
Probably helps me
Probably has no impact for me
Probably makes it more difficult for me
45
47
60
25
55
53
40
75
Asian
Latino/His
panic
African-
American
White
The Importance of Race and Availability of
The American Dream
Race is an important factor Race is not an important factor
20

21. The Atlantic/Aspen Institute
The American Dream
June 2015
The Atlantic/Aspen Institute
The American Dream
June 2015
Q125. If everyone had roughly the same opportunity to achieve their goals based on their own effort and merit, would
it still be okay that some people in America do not achieve their goals?
As long as everyone has opportunity, Americans believe it is okay that some
people fail to achieve their goals
84
76
16
24
Elites
Gen Pop
If opportunity was all equal, would it be okay that some do not achieve their
goals?
Yes No
21

22. The Atlantic/Aspen Institute
The American Dream
June 2015
The Atlantic/Aspen Institute
The American Dream
June 2015
Q123 Which of the following is closer to your view?
Concentration of wealth is not a problem so long as they are able to provide for
themselves and their family
58
64
42
36
Elites
Gen Pop
Perceived Concentration of Wealth
As long as I am able provide the life I want for myself and my family, it doesn’t matter if others are
substantially wealthier than me
The concentration of wealth and privilege within the top 1% of American society is a problem
22

23. The Atlantic/Aspen Institute
The American Dream
June 2015
The Atlantic/Aspen Institute
The American Dream
June 2015
Q134. Which of the following is closer to your view?
Most believe the Dream is achievable if you work for it
71
65
29
35
Broad Elites
Gen Pop
The American Dream is…
Still achievable for those who are willing to work for it No longer a possibility for most Americans no matter how hard they work
23

24. The Atlantic/Aspen Institute
The American Dream
June 2015
The Atlantic/Aspen Institute
The American Dream
June 2015
Q203. Does action need to be taken to reduce the barriers to the American Dream?
Americans believe action should be taken immediately to reduce the barriers to
the Dream
68
19
13
74
15
11
Yes, immediately Yes, in the future No
Does Action Need to Be Taken to Reduce Barriers to the American
Dream
Gen Pop Elites
24

25. The Atlantic/Aspen Institute
The American Dream
June 2015
The Atlantic/Aspen Institute
The American Dream
June 2015
Q178.mA. Please rank each of the following from the greatest barrier/ obstacle to achieving the American Dream to the least.
Top 3 Barriers/Obstacle Themes to The
Dream
Ranked by Democrat
Democrat Independent Republican
Lack of opportunity 82 74 54
Rules favor the wealthy 27 18 10
Economic inequality 24 18 10
Lack of economic opportunity 22 19 13
Decline of the middle class 18 16 16
Unequal access to education 16 14 9
Access to affordable housing 13 10 7
Lack of government support for programs for the
disadvantaged
10 6 3
Lack of socio-economic mobility 7 8 7
Lack of access to technology tools and training 5 6 3
Government 37 45 58
Lack of government policies to support economic growth 11 9 9
Big government 9 18 25
High government spending 9 16 18
Obamacare 9 10 18
Excessive government regulations 8 10 17
Top 3 Barriers/Obstacles Themes to The
Dream
(Cont.)
Democrat Independent Republican
Values 26 38 44
Decline of work ethic 14 24 28
Decline of values/moral standards 14 20 26
Erosion of personal liberties 3 7 8
Personal debt 21 18 20
Discrimination 21 10 9
Racial discrimination 16 7 6
Gender discrimination 7 3 3
Cost of healthcare 14 17 12
Political gridlock 11 8 11
Too much immigration 7 10 13
Lack of immigration reform 5 6 7
Republicans view Government as the biggest barrier to the dream, while
Democrats and Independents view it as Lack of Opportunity
25
Top Answers

26. The Atlantic/Aspen Institute
The American Dream
June 2015
The Atlantic/Aspen Institute
The American Dream
June 2015
Q205. Which of the following could have the most impact in reducing the barriers to the American Dream? Please select your top three.
Democrats and Independents focus on Expand Access/Opportunities to reduce
barriers to the Dream, while Republicans Focus on Reducing Government
Reducing Barriers to The American Dream
Ranked by Democrat Democrat Independent Republican
N-Size 593* 496* 465*
Expanding access/opportunities 68 56 38
Make college free or much more affordable 31 23 18
Expand access to free healthcare 14 11 7
Improve access to quality education in poor communities 13 11 6
Provide free job training 12 14 8
Expand access to affordable housing 12 10 6
Increase funding of anti-poverty programs 10 6 3
Redistribution 57 37 27
Increase taxes on the wealthy 28 20 15
Increase minimum wage nationwide 29 19 10
Increase taxes on corporations 12 8 6
Reduce government 36 52 71
Reduce government spending 15 23 31
Increase economic growth by cutting taxes 13 21 27
Repeal Obamacare (the Affordable Care Act) 7 13 24
Increase economic growth by reducing regulation 5 13 24
Eliminate regulations that limit personal liberties 4 7 11
Reducing Barriers to The American Dream
(cont.) Democrat Independent Republican
Discrimination 19 18 20
End race-based discrimination 16 8 4
End gender-based discrimination 9 4 2
Fix our public schools 18 18 17
Work ethic, entrepreneurship 14 21 29
Emphasize work ethic and personal accountability 9 15 23
Increase support for entrepreneurship 5 8 7
Reduce immigration 11 15 18
Reduce political partisanship 7 9 9
Immigration reform 7 10 10
26
*Asked of only those that indicated action needs to be taken
Top Answers

27. The Atlantic/Aspen Institute
The American Dream
June 2015
The Atlantic/Aspen Institute
The American Dream
June 2015
Q207. Do you consider yourself wealthy, middle class or poor?
Nearly 7 in 10 respondents describe themselves as Middle Class
27
28
3
69
86
3
11
Gen Pop Elites
Class
Poor Middle class Wealthy