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Key Takeaways
- Nearly one-third of middle-class Americans aged 50 to 85 feel less confident about retirement compared to last year.
- Inflation, fears of outliving savings, and potential Social Security cuts are their top concerns.
- Strategies like diversification, catch-up contributions, and delaying Social Security can help mitigate some retirement risks.
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For many middle-class Americans, a year of tariffs, tax policy shifts and economic uncertainty has led them to reassess their retirement outlook.
A survey of 500 people conducted in late October 2025 and published last month by insurance and financial services provider CNO Financial Group found that nearly one-third (32%) of middle-class Americans aged 50 to 85 reported feeling less confident about their retirement plans than a year ago. Respondents had household incomes of $50,000 to $100,000 and investable assets of less than $1 million.
What This Means For You
A decline in retirement confidence may indicate that economic uncertainty is putting pressure on your long-term plan. Reviewing your savings strategy now, especially regarding inflation, health care costs, and the timing of Social Security, can help you make adjustments while you still have time.
“Middle-income Americans are under pressure as they navigate rising costs, market volatility and questions about the future of government programs and safety nets,” said Scott Goldberg, president of the consumer division at CNO Financial Group, in a written statement. “This economic environment is challenging their sense of preparedness.”
Among the top concerns for respondents were inflation, a fear of outliving their money, and possible future cuts to Social Security.
Preparing for retirement is vital for older Americans, as this group has less time to save and make up for any shortfall in their retirement savings.
“As financial confidence declines, middle-income Americans need to evaluate their retirement timelines, savings strategies and long‑term care plans,” Goldberg said.
If you’re worried about inflation or about outliving your money in retirement, there are some steps you can take to mitigate those risks.
For example, diversification—which can involve investing across different asset classes, industries, and more—can help minimize the risk of inflation. Investments like Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities, or TIPS, are indexed to inflation, can help provide protection against rising prices.
Additionally, if you’re unsure of whether your nest egg will sustain you through retirement, you may consider working longer, taking advantage of catch-up contributions for retirement accounts or delaying Social Security.
If you’re age 50 or older, you can make additional contributions to retirement accounts like 401(k)s and IRAs. In 2026, this group can make catch-up contributions worth up to $1,100 to IRAs and $8,000 to 401(k)s.
And while you can claim Social Security as early as age 62, waiting can substantially increase your monthly benefit. If your full retirement age is 67, claiming at 62 cuts your benefit to just 70% of the full amount. Yet if you delay benefits until 70, you’ll receive far more than your full benefit: 124%.
