Retirement control is top success measure for middle class, ACLI says

One in four middle-class households identified having enough savings to retire at their desired age and lifestyle as the goal that would most make them feel financially successful, according to the American Council of Life Insurers' latest Financial Resilience Index.

The survey measures middle-class households’ ability to manage financial challenges and plan for a stable future.

This view was particularly pronounced among older middle-class generations, with 35% of both Gen X and baby boomers citing retirement readiness as their measure of financial success. ACLI’s most recent survey, released in April, found that 46% of middle-class Americans lack confidence in their retirement savings.

"A continuing theme we’ve seen in our research is that people define financial success as being prepared for the retirement they want," David Chavern, president and CEO of ACLI, said in an interview. “Although the stock market is up, people are concerned with inflation and the high cost of day-to-day expenses "

Beyond retirement, the most cited indicator of financial success was becoming debt-free, at 18%, ahead of other potential milestones like affording major purchases without strain (10%), earning at least $150,000 (9%), and buying a home (8%).

Daily concerns are getting in the way of many Americans saving for retirement. The survey found that almost half (48%) of middle-class households are most concerned about high inflation/high prices affecting their household’s financial security over the next several years.

More than two-thirds (67%) cited high inflation or wages not growing quickly enough as the event they are most concerned about affecting their financial security.

Tools to aid retirement readiness

Chavern said the key to being ready to retire when and how you want is to start early and put some of your savings on autopilot. There are a lot of tools available to allow clients to have a successful retirement.

“Particularly early in your career, it’s important to pay yourself first by taking a portion of your retirement savings and putting it on autopilot,” he said.

Chavern recommended talking with a financial professional about annuities, which can provide guaranteed lifetime income, life insurance to protect your loved ones, and long-term care insurance to protect against aging decline.

“Financial professionals can accurately describe what’s on the full menu of options and give people a sense that they have tools to manage the uncertainty,” he said. “Culturally, we spend a lot of time on accumulation but not as much time on focusing on spending in retirement. Working with a financial advisor can help you live the life you want, both today and throughout retirement.”

About the Financial Resilience Index

ACLI’s Financial Resilience Index, which is released quarterly, measures the ability of the middle class to manage life’s challenges and plan for a stable future. The index tracks 26 different variables that represent typical cost pressures for middle-class households (like housing, gas and childcare) and the financial resources that are available to meet them (like income, access to credit and retirement assets).

By tracking the direction and magnitude of cost pressures and resources, the index reflects how middle-class financial resilience changes over time, and what is driving improvement or decline.

ACLI’s Financial Resilience Survey is a nationally representative survey conducted by YouGov on behalf of ACLI, as a complement to the Financial Resilience Index. The survey explores how middle-class respondents understand their own financial resilience by asking questions about economic mobility, financial stressors, financial stability, and safety nets.

The quarterly survey consists of two questions about financial resilience, one recurring question that will be asked at the same time each year and one that will vary within the larger theme of middle-class financial health, stress, and resilience. Respondents of all household income levels respond to the survey, with reporting focused on middle-class respondents – those earning $50,000-$150,000 in annual household income.

ACLI’s latest Financial Resilience Survey was conducted online within the United States by YouGov on behalf of ACLI from May 1 – 6, 2026 among 3,721 adults ages 18 and older. The survey sample includes 1,450 respondents from middle-class households as well as 1,510 respondents from lower-income households and 332 respondents from upper-income households.

© Entire contents copyright 2026 by InsuranceNewsNet.com Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this article may be reprinted without the expressed written consent from InsuranceNewsNet.com.