Retirement Confidence Down
- Jun 1
- 2 min read
People, both working and retired are less confident about retirement security than in 2025.
Overview
The 2026 Retirement Confidence Survey (RCS)—conducted by the Employee Benefit Research Institute (EBRI) and Greenwald Research—shows that Americans’ confidence in their ability to retire comfortably has declined for the third consecutive year. Rising living costs, uncertainty about Social Security and Medicare, and concerns about personal savings are the primary drivers.
Retirement Confidence Is Falling
61% of workers feel confident they will have enough money to live comfortably in retirement.
73% of retirees feel confident. Both groups show a noticeable decline from 2025 levels.
Inflation & Expenses Are the Top Concerns
Workers and retirees cite:
Higher cost of living
Rising housing and healthcare expenses
Difficulty maintaining savings
Increased debt pressure
Social Security & Medicare Uncertainty
Only about half of workers believe Social Security will provide benefits of equal value in the future.
Confidence in Medicare has also dropped, especially among retirees.
Savings & Financial Preparedness
Fewer than 60% of workers have enough emergency savings.
Only about half of retirees rate their financial well‑being as “very good.”
Many workers expect to work longer or work part‑time in retirement.
Retirement Timing
Median expected retirement age (workers): 65
Median actual retirement age (retirees): 62
More workers now anticipate retiring at 70 or later.
2026 Special Focus: Caregivers
This year’s survey includes expanded insights on caregivers:
Caregivers report higher stress, lower savings, and greater financial strain.
Many struggle to balance caregiving responsibilities with retirement planning.
What This Means
Rising costs and uncertainty are reshaping retirement expectations.
The working class may need to revisit savings strategies, healthcare planning, and Social Security timing.
Caregivers may require additional support and more detailed planning.
To learn more about what this means for your retirement readiness, contact MNM Vested, LLC.
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