NIRS survey finds most Americans see a retirement crisis
A new National Institute on Retirement Security survey says Americans see retirement security as getting harder, with debt, housing, healthcare and inflation among the main barriers.
A new National Institute on Retirement Security survey says most Americans believe the U.S. faces a retirement crisis, and many say affordability pressures are making it harder to save for the future.
The report, Retirement Insecurity 2026: Americans' Views of Retirement, was released Aug. 26, 2026, and is based on a nationwide survey conducted by Greenwald Research. The study used online interviews collected from Oct. 24, 2025, to Nov. 14, 2025, with 1,203 people age 25 and older. Final results were weighted by age, gender and income.
According to the release, 80% of Americans say the nation faces a retirement crisis, up from 67% in 2020. The survey also says 61% are concerned they will not achieve financial security in retirement, while 68% say preparing for retirement is becoming harder and 45% say it will be much harder.
Respondents cited rising healthcare costs, inflation, long-term care costs, wages not keeping pace and debt as major reasons retirement planning feels more difficult. The release says 79% believe the average worker cannot save enough on their own for a secure retirement.
The survey also found that debt, housing costs, emergency expenses, healthcare expenses, lack of a workplace retirement plan and childcare costs were obstacles to saving more. Among the listed barriers, paying down debt was the most common, cited by 41% of respondents, followed by high housing costs at 39%.
On technology, the release says 63% of respondents have used an AI tool, but 45% are uncomfortable with AI playing a role in financial advice. It also says 77% believe cryptocurrency in retirement plans is risky, and 53% oppose employers offering crypto as an investment option.
The report quotes NIRS executive director Dan Doonan as saying retirement security is becoming harder because housing, healthcare, debt and other expenses compete with retirement saving.
The survey also found broad support for retirement policy changes. The release says 84% believe leaders in Washington do not understand the savings challenges facing Americans, and 85% say policymakers should make retirement security a higher national priority, up from 76% in 2020.
On retirement plans at work, 57% said they would choose a job with a pension over a 401(k)-style plan. Among workers without a pension, 84% said they would be more likely to stay with an employer if one were offered, up from 74% in 2023.
The release invites readers to download the research and register for a webinar scheduled for Sept. 8 at 2 p.m. ET.
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