Mature couple looking at computer screen together in kitchen of home.

Retirement Confidence Down

June 30, 2026

Retirement confidence slipped in 2026 after showing signs of improvement the year before, with both workers and retirees feeling less certain about their financial future. According to the latest findings from the Employee Benefit Research Institute’s 2026 Retirement Confidence Survey, only about three in five workers now say they are confident they will have enough money to live comfortably in retirement, while roughly three in four retirees say the same.

Economic concerns

A key reason behind both confidence and concern is how people view the adequacy of their savings, and inflation and the rising cost of living continue to weigh heavily, especially on workers. About a quarter of workers with low confidence cite inflation as a key reason they feel uncertain about retirement. Workers are also less confident than last year that they will be able to cover basic expenses in retirement, keep up with inflation, and handle emergency expenses.

Financial well-being declined overall. Fewer than two in five workers and about half of retirees describe their household financial situation as very good. Debt remains a major obstacle, particularly for workers; 65% say debt is a problem, one in four say it is a major problem, and half carry credit card debt. Debt also affects retirees, though to a lesser extent. Many say it is making it harder to save for retirement or live comfortably.

The information below represents the percentage of workers and retirees who said they were at least somewhat concerned about these events affecting their finances in retirement.

Concerns Among Workers

  • The U.S. government making significant changes to the American retirement system: 79% in 2025; 78% in 2026
  • An economic recession will impact your retirement plans: N/A in 2025; 74% in 2026
  • Housing costs will rise: 71% in 2025; 72% in 2026
  • A health event that would prevent you from working: N/A in 2025; 65% in 2026
  • Having to provide care for a loved one who has a health condition or disability: N/A in 2025; 61% in 2026
  • The growing role of technology/AI will cause you to change jobs: N/A in 2025; 53% in 2026

Concerns Among Retirees

  • The U.S. government making significant changes to the American retirement system: 71% in 2025; 69% in 2026
  • An economic recession will impact your retirement plans: N/A in 2025; 58% in 2026
  • Housing costs will rise: 53% in 2025; 52% in 2026
  • A health event that would prevent you from working: N/A in 2025; 46% in 2026
  • Having to provide care for a loved one who has a health condition or disability: N/A in 2025; 44% in 2026
  • The growing role of technology/AI will cause you to change jobs: N/A in 2025; 25% in 2026

Expected retirement age

Workers continue to expect to retire later, with the median expected retirement age holding at 65 and more saying they do not plan to retire at all. In contrast, retirees report a median retirement age of 62, and many say they retired earlier than planned because of health issues or other factors beyond their control.

Expected/Actual Retirement Age

Less than 55: Workers 7%; Retirees 13%

55 to 59: Workers 5%; Retirees 17%

60 to 61: Workers 10%; Retirees 8%

62 to 64: Workers 7%; Retirees 23%

65: Workers 19%; Retirees 14%

66 to 69: Workers 13%; Retirees 16%

70 or older: Workers 22%; Retirees 10%

Will never retire: Workers 16%; Retirees N/A

Notes: 

For more information on this year’s Retirement Confidence Survey, please visit www.ebri.org.

More than two in five workers and one in four retirees said they were unsure where to go for financial or retirement planning advice.

 

Disclaimers:

Prepared by Broadridge Advisor Solutions. © 2025 Broadridge Financial Services, Inc

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