A recent survey commissioned by retirement‑income specialist John Stevenson reveals a stark “fear gap” in retirement confidence across income levels. The poll of 1,000 American adults, conducted in July 2026 via the online platform Pollfish, shows that households earning less than $25,000 a year are nearly four times as likely as those making six figures to say they are not confident in their retirement savings and are scared of running out of money.
Income Drives Retirement Anxiety
More than one in four respondents in the lowest‑income bracket reported no confidence in their retirement savings and expressed fear of outliving their nest egg. By contrast, fewer than one in ten high‑income earners (six‑figure households) shared the same concern. The data challenges the conventional notion that retirement anxiety is primarily an age‑related issue; instead, it appears closely tied to earnings.
Perceptions of the 401(k) System
When asked whether the 401(k) plan gives workers greater control over their retirement funds, only 21.3% of respondents answered affirmatively. Among low‑income earners, 37.7% said the system works better for higher earners, a view that rises to 44% for those making $50,000 to $249,999. The survey notes that as of March 2025, roughly 14% of private‑sector workers had access to pension benefits, leaving the 401(k) as the primary retirement vehicle for most Americans.
Support for Restoring Pensions
When respondents were asked whether bringing back pensions would improve retirement security, 46.1% said yes outright, and an additional 40.4% supported the idea provided workers retain some control over their savings. Support for pension restoration was strong across income groups. Among households earning $100,000 to $250,000, 49% favored pensions, with another 41.6% backing them with conditions.
Interest in Guaranteed Income
Overall, 33.8% of participants said they would be very likely to explore a guaranteed monthly income if the terms were clearly explained, and another 47% said they would be somewhat likely. However, the willingness to consider such products drops sharply among those who are already saving for retirement. Four in ten of those savers said they would eagerly explore a guaranteed paycheck, while less than a quarter of non‑savers who worry about retirement expressed the same interest.
Paralysis Over Fear
The survey concludes that the fear gap is real, but fear does not translate into action for many. Instead, it creates a paralysis where people recognize the need for a solution but are less willing to explore available options. Transparency about product parameters appears to be a key factor in encouraging participation.
Methodology
John Stevenson’s firm surveyed 1,000 U.S. adults across the country in July 2026. Participants answered questions about traditional pensions, 401(k) plans, confidence in personal retirement savings, trade‑offs between guaranteed income and flexibility, and what would make them comfortable exploring a guaranteed monthly paycheck. Responses were broken down by age, gender, household income, and education level to identify trends and disparities.
This story was produced by John Stevenson and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
Original reporting: El Paso News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
