Not much of this year’s tax refunds are expected to go to 401(k)or other workplace retirement savings plans.

A John Hancock Financial survey found 52 percent of workers whoare expecting a refund plan to channel the money into a savingsaccount, while 25 percent plan to use refunds to pay downdebt.

But only 2 percent said they would direct their refund toward anemployer-sponsored retirement plan.

Also read: IRS,Social Security sued over confiscated refunds

Half of the more than 1,000 affluent investors (total assets ofat least $100,000) expect to receive a refund. Nearly one in five(17 percent) said they plan to spend it.

Of those planning to spend the cash, 38 percent said the moneywill go to vacations, down considerably from last year, when 56percent of respondents said refunds would go to trips.

This year, 20 percent of refund money is expected to go to“basic household needs.” Last year, 13 percent said they wouldtreat themselves to a “luxury item.” Only 5 percent said they willdo so this year.

The refund snapshot is a part of John Hancock’s larger 2015 Investor Sentiment Survey.

In its report, investors reported their most positive sentimentin the survey’s five-year existence.

Investor sentiment is gauged by assessing the percentage ofrespondents who believe it is a “good” or “very good” time toinvest.

“There is a belief that 2015 will be a good year for the averageinvestor, with 81 percent saying so vs. 73 percent in the firstquarter of 2014,” said Megan Greene, chief economist, John HancockAsset Management.

Despite the low number of investors saying they will direct taxrefunds into retirement accounts, retirement investing was a“strong priority” for respondents, as 80 percent said now was agood time to contribute to their 401(k) plans and IRAs.

Three-quarters said they expect the U.S. economy to be strongertwo years from now.