Core Insights - The primary concern for both active (34%) and retired (35%) 401(k) plan participants is the risk of outliving their retirement assets [1] - Inflation is a significant worry for 17% of active participants, while 19% of retired participants cite economic downturns as their top concern [2] - A majority of Gen Z (58%) and millennials (58%) expect their 401(k) accounts to be their main source of retirement income, aligning with 49% of all age groups [4][5] Group 1: Participant Concerns - 34% of active and 35% of retired participants are most concerned about their retirement assets lasting [1] - 18% of active and 32% of retired participants worry about health changes [1] - 17% of active participants identify inflation as their top financial worry, while 19% of retired participants cite economic downturns [2] Group 2: Generational Perspectives - 5% of Gen Z and 16% of millennials plan to rely on Social Security as their primary income source in retirement [3] - 33% of Gen Z feel "very confident" about maintaining their standard of living in retirement, compared to lower confidence levels in older generations [3] Group 3: Financial Advice Sources - 38% of active participants without a financial advisor rely on their retirement savings account provider for advice [6] - 24% seek guidance from their current or former employer, while 13% do not seek outside advice [6] Group 4: Spending and Loans - 58.5% of households taking out loans from their defined contribution plans saw healthcare spending rise by 10% or more [9] - 10.9% of DC plan participants took out a loan during the year of interest, with the highest prevalence among those aged 40-59 [11] - Participants with higher credit card debt are more likely to take out loans, with 20% of those with a high credit card debt/limit ratio doing so [12]

Core Insights - The significance of retirement accounts, particularly 401(k)s, is highlighted as they are crucial for family financial stability and future retirement security [2] Group 1: Importance of Retirement Accounts - More than half (54.3%) of working-age American families possess a retirement account, with a median value of $86,900 [1][2] - Assets in IRAs and defined contribution plans are key components of family balance sheets and future retirement security [2] Group 2: Growth of Forgotten 401(k)s - Forgotten 401(k) accounts have surpassed $2 trillion in assets for the first time, indicating a significant issue in retirement savings management [3] - As of July 2025, there are an estimated 31.9 million forgotten accounts, nearly double the 18.3 million from 2015 [4] - The average balance in a forgotten 401(k) account has increased by 18% since May 2023, reaching $66,691 [4] Group 3: Thrift Savings Plans (TSP) - There are over 7.2 million TSP plan participants with an average balance of $134,633, totaling just over $1 trillion in the program [5] - An estimated 3 million TSP accounts are expected to be left behind by the end of 2025, with potential increases due to federal civil service cuts [6] Group 4: Factors Contributing to Forgotten Accounts - The trend of forgotten 401(k)s is attributed to increased participation in 401(k) plans, high job switching rates, and confusion regarding account management after leaving jobs [6]

Retirement Security & Global Ranking - Norway ranks number one in retirement security, followed by Ireland, Switzerland, and Iceland [2] - The US ranks 21st with a C grade (70 average) in retirement security [2] - Smaller countries are perceived to have an easier time implementing programs that enhance retirement security [3] Concerns & Challenges - People are afraid of running out of money in retirement and are concerned about the future of social security and government benefits [5] - 67% of people believe inflation will erode the future value of their savings [5] - 20% (one in five) of people feel a miracle is needed for a secure retirement [5] Planning & Solutions - A retirement plan should involve saving more money, cutting expenses, and understanding long-term retirement costs [7] - Utilizing online calculators and professional services can aid in developing a retirement plan [7] - The "80% of income" rule is a goal to work towards, providing a benchmark for retirement income needs [8] Alternative Approaches - Some individuals are considering "mini retirements" or relocating to countries with lower costs of living [12][13]