Retirement anxiety is intensifying in the United States as inflation, debt and market volatility undermine households’ ability to save. A WalletHub survey released at the end of August found that 43% of Americans expect to work until they die, while 39% feel anxious about retirement and 29% expect financial help from family after they stop working. Retirement insecurity has been a leading U.S. financial concern since 2001, according to Gallup, but rising prices for essentials have sharpened the pressure. The National Institute on Retirement Security (NIRS) found that 61% of Americans worry they will not achieve financial security in retirement, with inflation cited by 73% and market volatility by 62%. Debt is also limiting savings, while worker confidence in retiring comfortably fell six points to 61% in the Employee Benefit Research Institute’s 2026 Retirement Confidence Survey. Americans continue to value retirement benefits, although many view the country as facing a retirement crisis and remain wary of cryptocurrency in workplace plans and artificial intelligence in financial advice.