The 2025 Retirement Confidence Survey (RCS), conducted annually by the Employee Benefit Research Institute (EBRI), reveals a mixed bag of optimism and concern. While a majority of American workers (67% “confident” and 24% “very high confidence”) remain confident in their retirement prospects, significant anxieties still persist, particularly around inflation, the cost of living, and potential government changes to the retirement system.

Key takeaways

    1. The 2025 Retirement Confidence Survey reported that while most American workers are confident in their retirement prospects, significant anxieties remain.
    2. Much of this anxiety was attributed to worries about inflation, the cost of living, and potential government changes to the retirement and Social Security system.
    3. Financial professionals can help alleviate concerns and increase confidence by empathetic understanding their clients’ circumstances and helping them develop a strategy that incorporates planning for healthcare expenses and reliable retirement income.
A&A Editorial Team