- Four in ten (42%) Americans feel uncertain when thinking about retirement.
- More than four in ten non-retirees surveyed (44%) lack confidence they’re saving enough to retire when planned.
- One third of non-retirees surveyed say it’s unlikely they will ever retire; Gen Z (37%) & Millennials (39%) are the least confident.
- More than one in three (35%) non-retirees surveyed say they plan to work for pay after retiring from their primary career.
MINNEAPOLIS, Sept. 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Traditional expectations of retirement may be weakening, according to a new survey from Thrivent released today that offers a complex and often conflicted picture of how Americans feel about their financial future.
Thrivent’s Retirement Expectations Survey, conducted by Ipsos, uncovers a range of influences driving shifts in how Americans spend, plan, and think about what retirement means to them:
- Growing Anxiety, Shrinking Confidence: 42% of non-retirees surveyed expect to be less financially secure in retirement than their parents, and 42% feel uncertainty when thinking about their own retirement. 44% of non-retirees lack confidence they’re saving enough to retire when planned.
- Feeling the Squeeze: In the past 12 months, 33% of Americans—retirees and non-retirees alike— have adjusted their plans for retirement because of the economic environment. These adjustments include cutting back on discretionary spending (73%), delaying major purchases (49%) and canceling subscriptions or memberships (45%).
- External Pressures: Economic and technological shifts are fueling uncertainty, as a majority of non-retirees believe inflation (76%), changes in Social Security policies (64%), and global economic conditions (62%) will negatively impact their retirement. Over half (53%) worry artificial intelligence will reduce job availability and 45% fear it will change the nature of work in ways that hurt their retirement prospects.
- Generational confidence erosion: While one third of non-retirees surveyed say it’s unlikely they’ll ever retire, the confidence declines further with each generation. Gen Z (37%) and Millennials (39%) are the least confident.
- Years of Solitude: More than one third (36%) of non-retirees surveyed anticipate retirement will feel “lonely” over “social” – and roughly the same number (35%) say they plan to work for pay after retiring from their primary career. Similarly, those who plan to work in retirement are making that choice to keep mentally active (51%) and stay busy or avoid boredom (50%).
The survey also showed strong consumer confidence for professional financial advice, with 89% of those who work with an advisor saying it’s important in their attempt to reach their financial goals. However, the survey also showed a stark disconnect: only 22% of all respondents say they’re currently working with a financial advisor. At Thrivent, thousands of financial advisors across the country serve individuals and families who are planning for the future, establishing legacies for their loved ones and making their communities better. Working together, clients and financial advisors create a financial plan that reflects their values and helps achieve their goals.
This includes Thrivent Financial Advisor Jason Rogoff in Westbury, N.Y.
“Retirement shouldn’t be seen as the end of someone’s financial journey—it should be the reward for how they’ve navigated it,” said Rogoff. “For many, the road to retirement may feel uncertain or even overwhelming; these survey results match the fears and concerns that I hear often from clients. But with the right planning and guidance, it’s possible to make retirement a chapter of security, freedom and fulfillment.”
Although everyone’s retirement goals and plans are different, Rogoff says he often shares these three tips with his clients to help put them in the best position to reach their financial goals:
- Plan for a purposeful retirement: “True financial well-being in retirement goes beyond simply having enough money to survive; it’s about using what you have to live with intention and meaning. Everyone defines fulfillment differently—mentally, socially, and financially—so we work with each person to shape a retirement that reflects their values. Even social fulfillment often carries financial implications, which is why a purpose-based approach helps to identify these goals and ensure they’re accounted for in planning.”
- A financial advisor can help make retirement a reality: “The first thing I do after meeting a client is learn what’s important to them along with their vision for retirement—and then we start planning to meet those goals. While retirement planning may feel like a maze of accounts, investment vehicles, and tax strategies, your financial advisor is here to help provide clarity amidst the uncertainty and lay out actionable steps to help you get—and stay—on the right track.”
- Saving for retirement is a long-term game: “While a common guideline suggests having at least eight times your annual salary saved by the time you retire, there is no one-size-fits-all savings number. Regardless of how external factors fluctuate over time, what is certain is that retirement accumulation is a marathon, not a sprint. Starting to save early allows you to maximize the power of compound interest and market growth over a longer period of time. But if you feel behind, don’t be discouraged: the most important step is to start today.”
If you’d like to speak to Jason or another Thrivent financial advisor about Thrivent’s Retirement Expectations survey, please contact us at [email protected].
About Thrivent
Thrivent is a Fortune 500 financial services company that helps build, grow and protect financial well-being through purpose-driven advice, investments, insurance, banking and generosity programs. Thrivent serves more than 2.4 million clients through thousands of financial advisors across the country and has more than $194 billion in assets under management/advisement (as of 12/31/24). Thrivent carries strong financial ratings from independent rating agencies – including AM Best, Moody’s and S&P Global Ratings – which demonstrate the company’s financial strength, stability and ability to pay claims. Ratings don’t apply to investment product performance and more information can be found on each rating agency’s website. For more information about Thrivent, visit Thrivent.com or find us on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.
About Ipsos
Ipsos is the world’s third largest market research company, present in 90 markets and employing more than 18,000 people. Our passionately curious research professionals, analysts and scientists have built unique multi-specialist capabilities that provide true understanding and powerful insights into the actions, opinions and motivations of citizens, consumers, patients, customers or employees. We serve more than 5000 clients across the world with 75 business solutions. Founded in France in 1975, Ipsos is listed on the Euronext Paris since July 1st, 1999. The company is part of the SBF 120 and the Mid-60 index and is eligible for the Deferred Settlement Service (SRD).
Survey Methodology
This poll was conducted by Ipsos on behalf of Thrivent Financial from July 29 – August 12, 2025, using the probability-based KnowledgePanel®. This poll is based on a nationally representative probability sample of 2,317 general population Americans. In addition, oversamples were included in five target Metropolitan Statistical Areas to achieve n=500 total completes. The sample for these MSA oversamples came from a combination of KnowledgePanel® and supplemental non-probability (opt-in panel) sample. The margin of sampling error for the U.S. gen pop sample is plus or minus 2.1 percentage points at the 95% confidence level, for results based on the entire sample of adults. The margin of sampling error takes into account the design effect, which was 1.11.
Media Contact:
Nathan Dupont
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SOURCE Thrivent
