1. Correct.
2. They will be persistent, but it doesn't hurt to back them up anyway. I've been through 4 upgrades and have had no problem. But things happen. From the file menu, you can export your settings to an INI file and this will account for all of your rules, filters, schedules, database formats and login credentials that are saved, your e-mail settings, etc... Then backup that INI file and all of your scripts just to be on the safe side.