New Economics of Retirement: Retirement Survey & Insights Report 2025

Goldman Sachs

Chris Ceder, Greg Wilson

Research

38 Pages

Goldman Sachs Asset Management’s fifth annual Retirement Survey & Insights Report explores how structural shifts in costs, inflation, and competing financial priorities are redefining retirement readiness in America. Drawing on responses from more than 5,000 individuals and 250 plan sponsors, the study identifies both the growing affordability crisis for workers and the emerging policy and plan design solutions that could improve outcomes.

Key Takeaways

Rising costs: Basic expenses such as housing, childcare, and healthcare have grown 200–400% since 2000, outpacing wage growth and reducing savings capacity.
Optimism gap: While 70% of workers feel confident about retirement, 58% expect to outlive their savings, revealing a mismatch between perception and preparedness.
Solutions ahead: Early savings programs, greater access to 401(k)s, and integrating lifetime income options could increase retirement readiness by up to 49%.
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