Even during the calmest of times, questions about retirement trouble many of us. The current chaos in markets and the economy likely amplifies such concerns.
Recently, the Harris Poll surveyed more than 4,600 adults in the United States as part of Northwestern Mutual’s 2025 Planning & Progress Study. In the survey, respondents were asked to reveal the “burning questions” they have about retirement.
Here are their answers.
1. ‘How much money will I need to retire comfortably?’
Survey respondents who cited this among their top three burning questions about retirement: 43%
Adults who participated in the survey said they will need at least $1.26 million to retire comfortably. If they are right, many of them have a long way to go.
For example, among surveyed members of Generation X — who are fast approaching retirement — 52% say they have just three times their income (or less) saved for retirement, according to Northwestern Mutual.
A majority of Gen Xers — 54% — do not believe they will be financially prepared for retirement when the time comes.
2. ‘Will Social Security be there when I qualify for it?’
Survey respondents who cited this among their top three burning questions about retirement: 33%
Just about everyone knows that the nation’s Social Security program is in financial trouble, with one of the trust funds that supports the system projected to run out of money in 2033.
However, the level of concern folks feel about the program’s future varies by generation. Here are the percentage of survey respondents who included the query above in their list of the top three “burning questions”:
- Generation Z: 26%
- Millennials: 39%
- Generation X: 47%
- Baby boomers and older: 20%
3. ‘What if inflation rises when I’m retired?’
Survey respondents who cited this among their top three burning questions about retirement: 30%
Mercifully, inflation has begun to ebb in recent years after hitting a multi-decade high of 9.1% in June 2022.
However, retirees feel the fear of rising prices as much as — or more than — people of other ages. Once you retire, you no longer have a steady paycheck rolling in. That leaves you especially vulnerable to costs that grow over time.
In the survey, 40% of respondents said they plan to work during their retirement years or are currently doing so. Among these folks, 48% say they will need the additional income to afford retirement.
How other questions ranked
Here is a list of other burning questions folks have about retirement and how they ranked:
- “Is it possible I could outlive my savings?” — 27%
- “How can I plan for potential long-term care needs?” — 26%
- “How will taxes impact me in retirement?” — 25%
- “How should I budget for health care expenses?” –21%
- “Will I have enough to leave behind assets for loved ones or charitable causes I care about?” — 19%
- “What if the stock market drops when I’m retired?” — 14%
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