Retirement Reconsidered 2025: Third Annual F&G Survey Reveals More American Workers Consider Delaying Retirement

Core Insights - Economic volatility is significantly impacting retirement readiness among Americans over 50, with 70% of pre-retirees considering or delaying their retirement date [1][2] - A notable 23% of pre-retirees are definitely postponing their planned retirement date, reflecting a 14% increase from 2024 [2] - Half of the respondents (50%) cite financial uncertainties and economic volatility as reasons for reconsidering their retirement plans, marking a 10% increase from the previous year [2] Group 1: Retirement Planning Concerns - Nearly a third (29%) of retirees are contemplating returning to work, with this figure rising to 54% among younger Generation X retirees [3] - 49% of American investors feel the need to invest in products that provide guaranteed income for the future due to economic uncertainty [3][4] - 48% of respondents are worried about not having enough money for retirement, while 44% express concerns about inflation [8] Group 2: Self-Assessment of Retirement Readiness - 32% of American investors rated their financial readiness for retirement as a C or below, compared to only 26% who rated it an A [6] - 41% of respondents rated their social connections in retirement as a C or below, indicating a lack of confidence in this area [6] - 28% rated their personal fulfillment in retirement as an A, while another 28% rated it a C or lower [6] Group 3: Financial Professional Engagement - Despite lower self-assessments, 47% of Americans over 50 are not currently using a financial professional, an increase from 43% in the previous year [7] - Among Generation X, over half (54%) are not leveraging a financial professional, up from 49% in 2024 [7] - Only 15% of retirees indicated they would consult their financial advisor before returning to work, suggesting a trend of independent financial decision-making [10] Group 4: Importance of Financial Guidance - Financial professionals are seen as crucial in helping investors align their financial plans with their desired lifestyle in retirement [11] - The emphasis on personal fulfillment in retirement planning is lacking, with 29% of investors placing little to no emphasis on this aspect [10]