PRESS RELEASE
New York Life | July 19, 2023
Inflation, rising credit card debt, and a sense of “going it alone” in retirement are impacting financial confidence.
The “Great Wealth Transfer” is underway and 15% of American adults expect to receive an inheritance in the next decade, according to the latest findings from the New York Life Wealth Watch survey. While inherited wealth may provide a financial lift for some, overall, Americans’ financial progress is impacted by inflation, growing credit card debt, and unexpected expenses. In fact, lack of emergency savings (29%), health care costs (27%), and credit card debt (26%) are the biggest risks adults perceive to their financial security and wellbeing. Of the 42% of adults who currently have credit card debt, 35% said their debt has increased in the last year by an average of $4,156.91, for an average total owed of $8,431.02.
Additionally, not all those inheriting wealth are confident in their ability to manage the funds. Only 42% of adults that expect to receive an inheritance feel very comfortable financially handling the new wealth that will be passed down. They are, however, feeling the impacts of inflation, as 58% of adults expecting an inheritance say inflation will have a medium-to-large impact on the sum.
“We are still in a turbulent economic environment. Inflation and higher interest rates continue to make credit card debt a challenge, compounded by unexpected expenses and a lack of emergency savings. Even those who are set to receive an inheritance in the next 10 years do not feel entirely confident managing it,” said Suzanne Schmitt, head of Financial Wellness at New York Life. “The data show us that people continue to be focused on the basics — paying down debt, building emergency savings, and contributing to their retirement — but it can feel incredibly difficult to plan for longer-term goals like buying a home, growing your family, or retiring when day-to-day challenges are occupying your time and attention.”
The “Great Wealth Transfer” underway may pose more challenges than expected
“Navigating competing priorities and family dynamics while grieving can make it even harder to know where to start or where to get reliable and objective advice,” said Schmitt. “While Baby Boomers are the most likely generation to say they prefer to get guidance from a financial or tax professional (29%), Gen Xers and Millennials, two cohorts set to inherit from Baby Boomers through 2045, could benefit from seeking professional advice, too. As the great wealth transfer may benefit some households, not all will feel the effects of economic relief. While there are a number of economic factors making money management more difficult for everyone, guidance from a trusted financial professional can help people navigate how to best manage resources in order to achieve financial goals such as paying down debt, planning for education expenses, bolstering savings, and setting themselves up for a more secure retirement.”
Many feel they are “going it alone” when it comes to retirement and report that they don’t feel support systems are in place to help them
“The data confirm what we know pre-retirees are experiencing: As traditional retirement savings and income vehicles come under pressure or become unavailable, people are feeling anxious and many also feel unprepared. That effect is compounded by inflation and unexpected expenses, which have made saving for retirement even harder, and that’s before we factor in caregiving, rising healthcare costs, and potential long-term care needs,” said Schmitt. “Pre-retirees are recognizing the need for more support but are unsure where to get it. For those still in the workforce, employers can play a supportive role by providing savings and planning resources — including access to financial professionals — as part of workplace benefits. This will become even more important as more Americans work later into their lives.”
Credit card debt continues to drive financial anxieties; over 1-in-3 with credit card debt report an increase in their debt in the past year
“Gen Xers in particular report struggling with rising credit card debt as interest rates have increased over the past year, likely because many find themselves caring for multiple generations,” said Schmitt. “Across generations, people are struggling to prioritize paying off debt versus bolstering emergency and retirement savings, as both are key elements of financial wellbeing. Fees and interest on revolving credit card balances contribute to vicious cycles of insecurity for households that may already be living paycheck-to-paycheck. Although it’s possible to learn the basics on your own, the more complex your financial life becomes as you age, the more beneficial it will become to seek the guidance of a trusted financial professional who can take into account your unique situation and needs including life stage, goals, and challenges, like debt, unexpected expenses, and health conditions that may impact your financial situation in retirement, and the legacy you want to leave behind to loved ones.”
ABOUT WEALTH WATCH
Wealth Watch is a recurring survey from New York Life that tracks Americans’ financial goals, progress toward those goals and feelings about their ability to secure their financial futures, identifying key themes and trends that are emerging about topics like retirement planning, the role of protection-oriented solutions and the importance of financial guidance.
SURVEY METHODOLOGY
This poll was conducted between June 8-June 11, 2023 among a sample of 4,437 adults. The interviews were conducted online. Results from the full survey have a margin of error of plus or minus 1 percentage point.
ABOUT NEW YORK LIFE
New York Life Insurance Company (www.newyorklife.com), a Fortune 100 company founded in 1845, is the largest mutual life insurance company in the United States 1 and one of the largest life insurers in the world. Headquartered in New York City, New York Life’s family of companies offers life insurance, retirement income, investments, and long-term care insurance. New York Life has the highest financial strength ratings currently awarded to any U.S. life insurer from all four of the major credit rating agencies.2
1 Based on revenue as reported by “Fortune 500 ranked within Industries, Insurance: Life, Health (Mutual),” Fortune magazine, 6/5/2023. For methodology, please see https://fortune.com/fortune500/.
2 Individual independent rating agency commentary as of10/18/2022: A.M. Best (A++), Fitch (AAA), Moody’s Investors Service (Aaa), Standard & Poor’s (AA+).
Go back to our newsroom to read more stories.
Sara Sefcovic
New York Life Insurance Company
(212) 576-4499
Sara_M_Sefcovic@newyorklife.com