Key Takeaways
- • A joint Goldco and SeniorLiving.org study released October 19, 2026 finds 67% of Americans (2 in 3 adults) worry that a single event, such as needing long-term care or a large medical bill, could derail their retirement.
- • 83% of savers call checking and savings accounts "safe" for retirement funds, despite inflation steadily eroding their purchasing power.
- • Only 10% of U.S. adults hold physical gold or a Gold IRA, even though gold was most often named the best place to move money during high inflation.
- • The typical American adult has less than $50,000 saved; nearly 4 in 10 adults have under $10,000, and a typical saver aged 55+ has between $50,000 and $99,999.
- • 62% of U.S. adults are not confident they will have enough to live comfortably in retirement, yet only 30% own individual stocks and 22% hold mutual funds or ETFs.
Summary
A new joint report from Goldco and SeniorLiving.org, released October 19, 2026, highlights widespread retirement anxiety among Americans alongside low savings and heavy reliance on cash. According to the study, 67% of Americans worry that a single event, such as needing long-term care or a large medical bill, could completely derail their retirement plans.
Inflation is the top retirement concern identified by respondents, whether through overall price increases or healthcare costs, particularly long-term care. The study reports that 77% of Americans say their retirement savings could not withstand such a cost. Despite these worries, the survey finds that Americans place their greatest trust in low-return assets: about 83% of savers describe checking and savings accounts as safe, even though inflation causes cash to lose purchasing power over time.
The study also notes a gap between perception and action. Gold was most often named the best place to move money during high inflation, yet only 10% of U.S. adults invest in gold or a gold IRA. Holdings are also modest overall. The typical American adult has less than $50,000 stored away, and nearly four in ten adults have less than $10,000 saved. Even a typical saver aged 55 and older has between $50,000 and $99,999.
Confidence is similarly low, with about 62% of U.S. adults doubtful they will have enough money to live comfortably through retirement. The report indicates that many avoid investments that could help close this gap, with just 30% owning individual stocks and 22% holding mutual funds or ETFs.
Goldco Founder Trevor Gerszt said, "Americans are deeply concerned about their long-term financial security, yet many are holding assets that leave them exposed to inflation," and called for more education on retirement planning, diversification, and strategies to protect purchasing power. The survey was conducted online by SeniorLiving.org and Goldco in September 2026 with 916 U.S. adults, using quotas for representativeness by age, sex, and ethnicity, and carries a margin of error of approximately ±3.2 percentage points at a 95% confidence level. Note that the study was commissioned and published by Goldco, a precious metals dealer, which has a commercial interest in gold-related retirement products.
Inflation is the top retirement concern identified by respondents, whether through overall price increases or healthcare costs, particularly long-term care. The study reports that 77% of Americans say their retirement savings could not withstand such a cost. Despite these worries, the survey finds that Americans place their greatest trust in low-return assets: about 83% of savers describe checking and savings accounts as safe, even though inflation causes cash to lose purchasing power over time.
The study also notes a gap between perception and action. Gold was most often named the best place to move money during high inflation, yet only 10% of U.S. adults invest in gold or a gold IRA. Holdings are also modest overall. The typical American adult has less than $50,000 stored away, and nearly four in ten adults have less than $10,000 saved. Even a typical saver aged 55 and older has between $50,000 and $99,999.
Confidence is similarly low, with about 62% of U.S. adults doubtful they will have enough money to live comfortably through retirement. The report indicates that many avoid investments that could help close this gap, with just 30% owning individual stocks and 22% holding mutual funds or ETFs.
Goldco Founder Trevor Gerszt said, "Americans are deeply concerned about their long-term financial security, yet many are holding assets that leave them exposed to inflation," and called for more education on retirement planning, diversification, and strategies to protect purchasing power. The survey was conducted online by SeniorLiving.org and Goldco in September 2026 with 916 U.S. adults, using quotas for representativeness by age, sex, and ethnicity, and carries a margin of error of approximately ±3.2 percentage points at a 95% confidence level. Note that the study was commissioned and published by Goldco, a precious metals dealer, which has a commercial interest in gold-related retirement products.
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