High-Income Americans Report Rising Financial Strain in Retirement Survey

A 2026 retirement survey of 5,106 Americans found that financial strain remains widespread among high-income households, with respondents earning above $300,000 reporting paycheck-to-paycheck finances at a higher rate than middle-income respondents.

Thirty-six percent of respondents earning more than $300,000 said they primarily lived paycheck to paycheck, compared with 23% of those earning between $100,000 and $300,000. Lower-income respondents reported the highest rate of financial strain in the survey.

The survey included 3,612 workers and 1,494 retirees ages 45 to 75 and was conducted in July 2026. It measures respondents’ descriptions of their financial circumstances rather than independently verified household cash-flow data.

Nearly 70% of all respondents said they had delayed a major financial goal. Only 39% said they increased their retirement savings, a 16-percentage-point decline from the previous year. Among retirement savers, 58% considered themselves on track or ahead of schedule, down from 68% in 2025.

Housing costs and everyday expenses each affected 31% of respondents’ ability to save, while debt payments affected 27%. More than 60% had taken on work outside their primary job, and most cited financial necessity.

The results show that financial pressure does not decline steadily as income rises. Retirement savings compete with housing, health care, education, caregiving and other everyday expenses across income groups.

“For generations, the retirement security formula was straightforward: work consistently, save diligently, and security would follow,” said Greg Wilson, head of retirement and co-head of Americas third-party wealth at Goldman Sachs Asset Management.

“The path forward isn't just about saving more but about being strategic in making every dollar work harder,” said Chris Ceder, a senior retirement strategist at Goldman Sachs Asset Management.