The 2026 Retirement Confidence Survey just dropped, and I'm not going to sugarcoat it: the numbers are rough. More than a third of Americans don't think they'll have enough saved.
If you're one of them, this newsletter is for you.
Here’s what’s inside:
Did you know…?
(Actual answer at the end of the newsletter 👇)
Inflation is killing retirement confidence
The 2026 Retirement Confidence Survey just hit its lowest point since 2017 and honestly, it's not hard to see why.
Workers right now are juggling debt, rising housing costs, inflation that won't quit, and a Social Security system that nobody seems to fully trust anymore. And if you've been quietly wondering whether you're "on track" for retirement, you're not alone. A third of Americans are asking the same thing.
Here's what I want you to take from this: feeling behind doesn't mean you are behind. But it does mean now is a good time to actually look at the numbers instead of avoiding them.
A few places to start:
👉 Calculate your retirement gap. How much do you have saved vs. how much you'll actually need? Even a rough estimate is better than guessing.
👉 Check your contribution rate. If you haven't increased it since you first set it up, inflation has quietly been shrinking its impact.
👉 Don't count on Social Security as your whole plan. Factor it in, but don't bet on it.
Retirement anxiety is real, and it deserves a real plan. If you want help figuring out where you actually stand, talk to us here.
The Personal Finance Meter
🚨 Take action
States are raising taxes on millionaires (here's what it means for your wallet)
More Democratic states are passing millionaire income taxes, and federal proposals are gaining traction. Whether you're far from that bracket or approaching it, this is the time to review your tax strategy.
Source📌 Pay attention
Over half of Americans are using AI to manage their finances
55%+ of Americans now use AI for financial decisions. Experts say it's great for budgeting, pattern analysis, and running what-if scenarios... but not a substitute for a real financial advisor.
Source👀 Keep an eye
Americans love their pets but the bills are becoming a real problem
Nearly 1 in 3 pet owners say pet expenses are causing them financial stress, and vet bills have jumped 43% since 2021.
Source👌 Looking Up
Mortgage rates are the lowest they've been in years (and could keep easing)
Rates dipped under 6% recently, and Fannie Mae projects the 30-year fixed rate could hit 5.7% by end of 2026. For buyers who've been sitting on the sidelines, this may be the most favorable window in years.
SourceThe Panic Meter reflects our editorial read on urgency — not financial advice.
Building a growth mindset
By the numbers
21.9%
The average APR on general-use credit cards as of 2025.
To put that in perspective: if you're carrying a $5,000 balance and only making minimum payments, you could end up paying thousands more in interest alone and it could take years to clear.
$43,000
Average student loan debt incoming freshmen may carry by graduation.
That's before interest kicks in, before the job market has its say, and before the cost of actually living as an adult enters the picture. With tuition climbing roughly 5% a year and federal aid not keeping pace, the gap between what students can afford and what school costs keeps getting wider.
40%
Share of couples who merge their bank accounts
The other 60% are keeping things separate or figuring it out as they go. Either way, money is one of the top sources of relationship conflict, and most couples never have the actual conversation.
Need to talk numbers? We can help you sort out your money.
Poll answer
A) 8%
The other 92% exists purely as digital entries. Your "savings" are essentially a very convincing spreadsheet.