Core Insights - A significant decline in retirement confidence is observed among middle-income Americans aged 50 to 85, with one in three (32%) feeling less confident in their retirement plans compared to the previous year [1] - Economic factors such as inflation and uncertainty regarding Social Security and Medicare are major contributors to this decline in confidence [1] Economic Concerns - Inflation is the top concern for middle-income Americans, cited by 27%, followed by fears of outliving savings (23%) and potential cuts to Social Security (18%) [1] - 44% of middle-income Americans report increased anxiety about personal finances compared to a year ago, with pre-retirees showing higher anxiety levels [1] Retirement Planning - Many middle-income Americans are uncertain about their financial plans, with 34% feeling less confident in meeting daily financial obligations [1] - Women and pre-retirees are particularly affected, with 25% of women expressing no confidence in having enough for retirement, nearly double the rate of men [1] Government Program Confidence - Confidence in Social Security and Medicare is waning, with 43% of respondents less confident in Social Security's availability and 47% believing Medicare benefits will be cut [1] - There is a significant knowledge gap regarding long-term care financing, with 49% expecting Medicare to cover all needs despite its limitations [1] Survey Methodology - The survey was conducted by Harris Poll among 500 U.S. respondents aged 50 to 85 with household incomes between $50,000 and $100,000, and less than $1 million in investable assets [1]