Household Costs Weigh Heavily on Retirement Savings

A new study from Goldman Sachs has found that household costs are putting increasing pressure on Americans' retirement savings. The research, which surveyed over 5,000 individuals, found that financial strain remains widespread, with housing, healthcare, education, caregiving, and day-to-day living expenses eating up a larger share of household resources.

The study also found that nearly two-thirds (66%) of Gen Z, millennials, and Gen X expect to delay their retirement due to competing priorities. In addition, the report revealed that savings momentum is stalling, with 39% of respondents saying they increased savings in 2026, down from 55% in 2025.

Goldman Sachs' senior retirement strategist, Christopher Ceder, pointed out that financial security does not uniformly improve with income. He noted that individuals at both the upper and lower ends of earnings are reporting financial concerns, with 57% of those earning under $100,000 and 65% of those earning over $300,000 saying they have difficulty focusing at work due to financial stress.