![](\"https:\/\/mms.businesswire.com\/media\/20260714224911\/en\/2727818\/5\/NYL_box-logo_rgb_blue.jpg\"){kind=logo}
<\/a><\/a>\nThe survey found that 61% of Americans have a financial strategy in place, up from 58% a year ago, and 79% have taken steps to address their financial concerns. Yet just 52% are confident their retirement savings will last a lifetime, a 21-percentage-point drop from 73% in 2025.<\/p>
\n\u201cThe findings show that Americans remain committed to their financial futures, even in the face of ongoing uncertainty,\u201d said Sean Madgett, vice president and head of Planning & Practice Solutions at New York Life. \u201cPeople are adjusting budgets, revisiting financial strategies and actively looking for ways to stay on track. At the same time, the sharp decline in retirement confidence suggests many Americans are questioning whether those efforts will be enough to achieve their long-term goals. That\u2019s where having a comprehensive financial strategy, oriented to personal goals, can help provide greater clarity and confidence.\u201d<\/p>
\nHow Americans are Navigating Financial Pressure<\/b><\/p>
\nAmericans are actively engaged in managing their finances, yet the results of that engagement are not yet translating into a sense of security, particularly for retirement.<\/p>
\nKey findings include:<\/p>
- \n
- \n61% have a financial strategy in place, up from 58% a year ago, though only 27% say they are confident in that strategy.<\/li>\n
- \n79% have taken action to address financial concerns, with the most common steps being making changes to their financial strategy (31%) and staying up-to-date on the economy (29%).<\/li>\n
- \n37% plan to make changes to their investment portfolio or strategy this year.<\/li>\n
- \nConfidence in retiring at one\u2019s desired age fell to 67% from 74% last year.<\/li>\n
- \nMore than half (56%) have already changed their retirement strategy, with paying down debt (22%) and continuing to work while delaying retirement (18%) among the most common adjustments.<\/li>\n<\/ul>
\nRethinking Retirement Timelines<\/b><\/p>
\nFor a growing share of Americans, the start of the retirement they envisioned is moving further into the future. One in three (34%) have already delayed retirement or plan to, and nearly half (46%) of that group expects to push it back by five years or more.<\/p>
\nAmong those who have delayed or plan to delay retirement:<\/p>
- \n
- \n46% say they haven\u2019t saved enough.<\/li>\n
- \n45% cite inflation as a driver.<\/li>\n
- \n30% are trying to pay off debt.<\/li>\n
- \n25% point to changes in benefits such as Social Security or pension eligibility ages, up from 20% last year. Among Gen Z respondents who are delaying retirement, that figure rises to 34%, the highest of any generation.<\/li>\n<\/ul>
\nFeelings about retirement reflect that strain. While hopeful remains the most common sentiment (29%), stressed (24%), worried (24%) and anxious (22%) are nearly as prevalent. Only 19% describe themselves as prepared.<\/p>
\nGen Z\u2019s Financial Balancing Act<\/b><\/p>
\nGen Z is seeking financial education, while navigating financial pressure.<\/p>
\nAmong Gen Z respondents:<\/p>
- \n
- \n31% have cut back on emergency savings to keep up with rising costs, the highest rate of any generation. Even as they trim their safety net, nearly half (47%) are contributing to a 401(k), the highest rate of any generation, suggesting many younger Americans are protecting their long-term savings even when it means sacrificing short-term financial cushion.<\/li>\n
- \nGen Z is more likely than any other generation to cite job loss as a top financial concern (30% vs. 23% of Millennials, 21% of Gen Xers and 5% of Baby Boomers).<\/li>\n
- \nYet Gen Z and Millennials are doing the most financial research: 32% and 31%, respectively, report actively researching financial topics, compared to 23% of Gen Xers and 21% of Baby Boomers. Notably, Gen Z is also far more likely to use generative AI tools to research financial topics (22%) than baby Boomers (3%).<\/li>\n
- \nThey also indicate the most interest in protecting themselves: 62% of Gen Z and 58% of Millennials are interested in purchasing protection products, compared to 49% of Gen Xers and 31% of Baby Boomers.<\/li>\n<\/ul>
\n\u201cFinancial confidence isn\u2019t just about what\u2019s happening today, it\u2019s also about feeling prepared for what\u2019s ahead,\u201d Madgett said. \u201cWhether it\u2019s building retirement savings, protecting against unexpected events or navigating changing economic conditions, Americans are looking for strategies that help them stay resilient and focused on their long-term goals.\u201d<\/p>
\nA Powerful Combination<\/b><\/p>
\nAcross nearly every measure in the survey, Americans who work with a financial professional report meaningfully better financial outcomes and outlooks than those who don't.<\/p>
\nAmong Americans who work with a financial professional and own protection products:<\/p>
- \n
- \n86% are confident their assets will last throughout retirement, compared to just 43% of those without a financial professional or protection products, a 43-point gap.<\/li>\n
- \nThey are far more likely to feel positive about retirement: hopeful (43% vs. 17%), confident (38% vs. 12%), prepared (31% vs. 8%), and excited (29% vs. 9%).<\/li>\n
- \nThey are significantly less likely to report financial concerns: 51% cite higher costs of living as a top worry, compared to 65% of those without a financial professional, 38% cite saving for the future as a concern, vs. 46% of those without a financial professional.<\/li>\n
- \nThey are also more likely to be taking action: 37% are staying up-to-date on the economy (vs. 20%), 35% are making changes to their financial strategy (vs. 27%), and 32% are increasing the percentage of their income going to savings (vs. 14%).<\/li>\n<\/ul>
\n\"The data makes clear that having a financial professional and the right planning strategy and solutions in place isn't just about peace of mind,\u201d continued Madgett. \u201cFor anyone who recognizes themselves in the more anxious side of these findings, that's precisely where a conversation with a financial professional can make a meaningful difference.\"<\/p>
\nABOUT WEALTH WATCH\n
\nSURVEY METHODOLOGY\n
\nABOUT NEW YORK LIFE\n
\n1 <\/sup>Based on revenue as reported by \u201cFortune 500 ranked within Industries, Insurance: Life, Health (Mutual),\u201d Fortune magazine, 6\/3\/2026. For methodology, please see https:\/\/fortune.com\/ranking\/fortune500\/#methodology <\/a>.<\/p>