Nearly three in five non-retirees say they’re confident they’ll have enough money to retire from their primary career on schedule, according to Thrivent’s 2026 Retirement Expectations Survey released July 15, with the 58% confidence level holding steady from 2025 even as Americans grapple with artificial intelligence, rising costs and economic uncertainty reshaping their retirement outlook.
The survey of more than 2,000 Americans, conducted by Ipsos from June 15 to June 22, 2026, captures a paradox in retirement planning: while headline confidence remains flat, deeper anxieties are mounting. Nearly half (47%) of non-retirees remain skeptical they’ll ever be able to fully retire, up from prior years, and 64% say they prioritize their current financial situation over planning for retirement.
Cost-of-living pressures are a primary driver. Among non-retirees who feel behind in retirement planning, 53% cite the high cost of living as a reason, while 47% say they don’t earn enough to save for retirement. More than half (56%) have already changed their retirement strategy, with 22% paying down debt and 18% planning to continue working while delaying retirement.
AI and Changing Work Concerns Reshape Retirement Expectations
Artificial intelligence is emerging as a new source of retirement anxiety. Half of non-retirees feel that AI changing the type of work people do will negatively impact their retirement, with younger generations expressing the most concern. Among Gen Z non-retirees, 63% anticipate a negative impact from AI reducing job availability, compared to 59% of Millennials and 49% each of Gen X and Baby Boomers.
The broader retirement confidence landscape shows strain across multiple surveys. The New York Life Wealth Watch Midyear Outlook survey, conducted June 5-7, 2026, found that just 52% of Americans are confident their retirement savings will last a lifetime—a sharp 21-percentage-point drop from 73% in 2025. Confidence in retiring at one’s desired age fell to 67% from 74% the prior year. The Employee Benefit Research Institute’s 2026 Retirement Confidence Survey, released in April, reported that workers’ confidence in having enough money to live comfortably in retirement fell 6 percentage points to 61%, while retirees’ confidence dropped 5 points to 69%—the lowest level in nearly a decade.
Despite these headwinds, Americans are taking action. According to New York Life, 79% have taken steps to address their financial concerns, with 31% making changes to their financial strategy and 29% staying up-to-date on economic developments. However, only 27% feel confident in their financial strategy, and only 19% describe themselves as prepared for retirement. Among those who have delayed retirement or plan to, 46% say they haven’t saved enough, 45% cite inflation, and 30% are working to pay off debt.
One consistent finding across surveys: working with a financial professional significantly improves retirement outlook. New York Life found that Americans with a financial professional and protection products are 86% confident their assets will last through retirement, compared to just 43% of those without professional guidance—a 43-point gap.
Sources
- Thrivent — 2026 Retirement Expectations Survey (June 15-22, 2026, released July 15): 58% non-retiree confidence, 47% skeptical of full retirement, 50% concerned about AI impact, 64% prioritizing current finances, 53% citing cost-of-living concerns
- New York Life — Wealth Watch Midyear Outlook survey (June 5-7, 2026): 52% confident retirement savings will last (down from 73%), 67% confident in retiring at desired age (down from 74%), 79% taking financial action, 86% with professional guidance confident in assets
- Employee Benefit Research Institute (EBRI) — 2026 Retirement Confidence Survey (released April 21, 2026): Workers’ confidence at 61% (down 6 points), retirees’ confidence at 69% (down 5 points)
