Middle-income Americans struggling to keep up as living costs weigh on paychecks, survey says

Core Insights - Middle-income Americans are experiencing financial strain, with 68% reporting that their income is not keeping pace with the rising cost of living, a figure that has remained stable over the past two years [1] - The primary financial goal for 49% of middle-income families is to keep up with rising costs, indicating a lack of anticipated relief in the near term [2] - The CEO of Primerica noted that while attitudes among middle-income families have stabilized, they have not improved significantly, with many families relying on savings or credit cards to manage financial gaps [3] Financial Security and Savings - 70% of middle-income households reported that their ability to save for the future is "not so good" or "poor," showing only a slight improvement from 73% in the previous quarter [4] - Many families are delaying significant purchases, such as new appliances or vehicles, due to financial constraints, which is viewed as a prudent response to current economic pressures [5][6]