"67% of Americans worry Social Security will not last through their full retirement, up from 57% in 2024. A ten-point jump in twelve months is the kind of move that signals something beyond ordinary news cycle anxiety, and the broader economic backdrop helps explain why the worry is compounding rather than fading."
"In a single survey cycle, the share of Americans expecting Social Security to fall short of their needs moved from a slim majority to roughly two-thirds of the country. That shift is happening against a consumer mood that was already fragile. The University of Michigan Consumer Sentiment Index stood at 48.2 in May 2026, down 4 points from March, which is yet another reason retirement security worries are layering atop broader pessimism about household finances."
"Only 25% of respondents understand that Social Security benefits are adjusted for inflation, and just 21% correctly identify how Social Security fits into a complete retirement income plan. Three-quarters of the country is making retirement decisions without a clear picture of the benefits they are counting on or doubting."
67% of Americans worry Social Security will not last through their full retirement, up from 57% in 2024. The increase reflects weakening retirement confidence alongside fragile consumer sentiment, with the University of Michigan Consumer Sentiment Index at 48.2 in May 2026. Unemployment remains relatively stable at 4.3% in April 2026 and weekly jobless claims are near historic lows, suggesting the anxiety is not driven by immediate labor market collapse. Many people also lack key knowledge about Social Security, with only 25% understanding inflation adjustments and only 21% identifying how Social Security fits into a full retirement income plan. Inflation pressures make this confusion more consequential for retirement planning.
Read at 24/7 Wall St.
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