Inflation, health care costs top retirees’ concerns, survey finds

American retirees see inflation, high health care costs and a market downturn as the top three threats to their nest eggs, a survey by Schroders found.

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Nine in 10 retirees in Schroders’ 2026 U.S. Retirement Survey said they are concerned about inflation reducing their assets, while 87% reported they are worried about unexpectedly high health care costs, according to results released May 19. Recent research from the AARP Public Policy Institute found medical costs are outpacing retirement income for many retirees. 

A slightly smaller share, 81% of retirees surveyed, said they are concerned about “a major market downturn significantly reducing” their assets, while more than two-thirds, 68%, are concerned about outliving their assets.

Meanwhile, 69% of retirees said they are concerned they do not know the best way to draw down retirement income. 

The findings point to an opportunity for financial advisors to help retirees address those concerns — only 32% of retirees said they work with a financial advisor.

More than one-third of retirees also reported being “concerned that financial stress will impact their overall health,” according to the survey.

“What often gets overlooked is that investing for retirement and investing in retirement are fundamentally different challenges,” Deb Boyden, head of U.S. defined contribution at Schroders, said in a statement. “With lifespans extending well into the 80s and beyond, your savings may need to work for you for three or four decades.”

The findings from the retirement survey, conducted from March 20 to April 15, were based on responses from 382 retirees.