For millions of Americans, retirement is supposed to be the finish line after decades of work. But a new survey suggests many workers aren’t sure they’ll ever make it there.
Nearly half of Americans who have not yet retired, 47%, say they are skeptical they’ll ever be able to fully retire, according to Thrivent’s 2026 Retirement Expectations Survey. The survey, conducted by Ipsos, included more than 2,000 Americans.
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At the same time, 58% of non-retirees say they are confident they’ll have enough money to retire from their primary career on schedule, a figure that remains unchanged from 2025.
So why the disconnect?
The survey found Americans are increasingly concerned about how changes in the economy and workplace could affect their ability to retire.
Artificial intelligence, rising costs and economic uncertainty are among the factors causing workers to rethink what retirement could look like.
Younger generations are particularly concerned about the impact of AI on their jobs, earnings and long-term financial security.
The survey also found 64% of non-retirees say they are more focused on their current financial situation than planning for retirement.
That means even workers who expect to eventually retire may be struggling to prioritize long-term savings while dealing with their immediate financial needs.
The survey suggests retirement itself may no longer have a single definition.
Some workers may expect to continue working in some capacity even after leaving their primary career, while others worry they simply won’t have enough money to stop working altogether.
Financial uncertainty is also changing how Americans think about when they will retire and how much they will need to save.
Thrivent financial adviser Jason Rogoff said retirement planning does not require having every future challenge figured out, but having a plan that can adapt as circumstances change can help people stay on track.
For workers worried they may never fully retire, the survey highlights a growing challenge: balancing today’s financial pressures with the need to prepare for a future that can feel increasingly uncertain.