Need to Know: What Americans Are Most Concerned About When It Comes to Retirement
- Robin Weingast
- 11 minutes ago
- 2 min read
Retirement confidence in the U.S. is slipping. According to Allianz’s 2025 Annual Retirement Study, many Americans feel less certain than ever about their ability to support their future goals because of rising expenses, market turbulence, and questions about Social Security.
Why the Worry
Confidence is down. Fewer people feel secure that they will be able to financially support all the things they want to do in life. Since 2020, there has been about a 13-point drop in that feeling of security.
Major concerns now include inflation, healthcare costs, market volatility, and the risk of outliving one’s savings.
The Gaps and Challenges
Unclear plans. Many contribute to retirement vehicles like 401(k)s and IRAs, but a large share do not have written plans or clarity on how they will convert savings into reliable income.
Unrealistic goals and uncertainty. Some Americans have high benchmarks such as an average household target of $3.3 million for a “comfortable” retirement. Many others do not even know what their number should be.
The Sandwich Generation Squeeze
One of the most pressing issues highlighted in the report is the sandwich generation, Americans who are simultaneously supporting both aging parents and adult children while trying to save for their own retirement. These dual responsibilities are creating extra stress:
More than half of respondents in this situation said it directly affects their ability to save consistently.
Competing financial priorities often force them to put off retirement contributions or tap into savings early.
Emotional strain is also real, as balancing tuition, healthcare, and eldercare often leaves little energy for long-term planning.
This generation’s challenges underline why flexibility and protection in retirement planning are more important than ever.
Trends Shaping Retirement
Retirement reimagined. It is not just about quitting work. Many imagine easing into retirement while maintaining purpose, legacy, and personal fulfillment.
Social pressures. Divorce, caregiving, and competing financial demands are stretching many families and changing the picture of what retirement will realistically look like.
What People Want and Need
Stability, protection, predictability. Americans are increasingly interested in income sources that they can count on, even if that means avoiding risky high-return bets.
Guidance. Although many view financial professionals as trusted, few are using their services. There is a big opportunity for advisors who offer personalized, realistic plans that acknowledge individual risk, values, and life’s unexpected twists.
Takeaway: What to Do Next
Are you thinking about retirement now? Here's what the study suggests:
Develop a written, holistic plan that defines how savings will produce income safely over time.
Prioritize protection against downside risk, inflation, and longevity.
Build in flexibility for life pressures like caregiving or unexpected family obligations.
Use professional advice for investments, Social Security timing, tax considerations, and legacy goals.
Retirement is no longer simply an end goal. It is a journey with many crossroads. With clarity, the right tools, and guidance, the path can become far more manageable and meaningful.
Want to make sure your plan is holistic enough to cover retirement's many twists and turns? Contact Robin S. Weingast & Associates today for a planning partner.
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