2 out of 3 Americans Worry That a Single Event Could Derail Their Retirement, As Inflation Erodes Their Low Savings

LOS ANGELES, CA, October 15, 2026: A new joint report released by Goldco and Senior Living.org reveals a growing sense of financial vulnerability among Americans preparing for retirement. According to the study, 67% of Americans, or 2 in 3 adults, worry that a single event, such as needing long-term care or a large medical bill, could completely derail their retirement plans. 

Despite widespread anxiety over inflation and rising living expenses, the study shows that most Americans are taking little action to protect their wealth. Many still view checking and saving accounts as a safe place for retirement funds, even though inflation causes cash to steadily lose purchasing power over time. Furthermore, while gold was named the top hedge against inflation, only 10% of U.S. adults currently hold physical gold or a Gold IRA. This disconnect underscores several key insights from the study: 

Key Findings Include: 

• Inflation is Americans’ top retirement concern. Rising prices have Americans fretting, whether it’s overall prices or healthcare costs, particularly the cost of long-term care; a cost 77% of Americans say their retirement savings couldn’t withstand. 
• Despite inflation concerns, Americans trust low-return assets most, such as checking and savings accounts. About 5 in 6 savers (83%) call these inflation-exposed cash accounts “safe.”
• Gold was most often named the best place to move money during high inflation. However, just 10% of U.S. adults invest in gold or a gold IRA.The typical American adult has less than $50,000 stored away. Nearly 4 in 10 adults have less than $10,000 saved, while even a typical saver nearing retirement (55+) has only between $50,000 and $99,999. 
• Americans worry that just one event could ruin their retirement. About 2 in 3 Americans (67%) are concerned that a single major event could derail their retirement. 
• About 62% of U.S. adults aren’t confident they’ll have enough money to live comfortably through retirement, but many avoid investments that could help close the gap: just 30% own individual stocks and 22% hold mutual funds or ETFs.

“Americans are deeply concerned about their long-term financial security, yet many are holding assets that leave them exposed to inflation,” said Goldco Founder Trevor Gerszt  “This study underscores the urgent need for more education around retirement planning, diversification, and strategies to protect purchasing power over the long haul.” 

Methodology

SeniorLiving.org and Goldco conducted this survey online in September 2026. It included responses from 916 U.S. adults. Quotas were set to ensure the sample is representative of the U.S. population by age, sex, and ethnicity. The survey has a margin of error of approximately ±3.2 percentage points at a 95% confidence level.

To view the full report, visit https://www.seniorliving.org/research/retirement-resilience-study/

About Goldco

Goldco is a privately held company with over a decade of experience in helping customers protect their retirement savings. Whether you want to diversify your retirement savings into a precious metals IRA or buy gold and silver directly, a Goldco specialist can help assist every step of the way. The company’s long-standing reputation for excellent customer service, high ethical standards, along with precious metals education and resources position Goldco as a preferred precious metals provider. With over 8,000 5-Star customer reviews, numerous awards and the highest industry buy back guarantee, Goldco has set the standard for buying precious metals.

Goldco is rated A+ by the Better Business Bureau and Triple A by Business Consumer Alliance. 

About SeniorLiving.org

SeniorLiving.org champions better living at any age by providing older adults, caregivers, and their loved ones with clear, compassionate guidance. More than 5 million people rely on its research and resources covering aging in place, senior housing, financial and retirement planning, and products and services for older adults. Backed by a team with more than 100 combined years of senior care experience, SeniorLiving.org combines thorough research, hands-on testing, and expert insights to help readers make informed, confident decisions for themselves and their families