Outlook for Retirement Savers, Small-to-Midsized Business Owners Uncertain at Start of New Year
Principal Financial Group research reveals key insights about retirement savings and small business outlook for 2025. While 88% of Americans are saving for retirement, with 89% using employer plans and 58% contributing at least 9% of annual income, there's a notable confidence gap. 34% feel behind on retirement goals and 32% are uncertain about maintaining their living standard post-retirement.
The study highlights misconceptions about retirement planning, with 56% believing they need 30x their annual salary saved by age 65, though 10x may suffice. Additionally, 54% incorrectly assume they can safely withdraw 10% of retirement savings annually. On the business front, small-to-midsized business owners show cautious optimism, with 64% positive about their 12-month outlook despite decreased confidence in U.S. economy (14-point drop) and local economies (12-point drop). Employee retention concerns fell from 46% to 32%, while talent attraction worries dropped from 39% to 33%.
La Principal Financial Group ha condotto una ricerca svelando informazioni chiave sul risparmio per la pensione e le prospettive delle piccole imprese per il 2025. Anche se l'88% degli americani sta risparmiando per la pensione, con l'89% che utilizza i piani offerti dai datori di lavoro e il 58% che contribuisce con almeno il 9% del reddito annuale, si evidenzia un notevole divario di fiducia. Il 34% si sente indietro rispetto agli obiettivi pensionistici e il 32% è incerto sulla possibilità di mantenere il proprio tenore di vita dopo il pensionamento.
Lo studio evidenzia le idee sbagliate sulla pianificazione della pensione, con il 56% che crede di dover accumulare 30 volte il proprio stipendio annuale entro i 65 anni, sebbene 10 volte possano essere sufficienti. Inoltre, il 54% presume erroneamente di poter ritirare in sicurezza il 10% dei risparmi pensionistici annualmente. Sul fronte aziendale, i proprietari di piccole e medie imprese mostrano un ottimismo prudente, con il 64% che si manifesta positivo sul proprio outlook nei prossimi 12 mesi, nonostante una diminuzione della fiducia nell'economia statunitense (un calo di 14 punti) e nelle economie locali (un calo di 12 punti). Le preoccupazioni per la retention dei dipendenti sono scese dal 46% al 32%, mentre le preoccupazioni per l'attrazione di talenti sono diminuite dal 39% al 33%.
Principal Financial Group realizó una investigación que revela información clave sobre el ahorro para la jubilación y las perspectivas de las pequeñas empresas para 2025. Mientras que el 88% de los estadounidenses ahorra para su jubilación, con un 89% que utiliza los planes ofrecidos por los empleadores y un 58% que contribuye con al menos el 9% de sus ingresos anuales, hay una notable brecha de confianza. El 34% se siente rezagado en sus metas de jubilación y el 32% no está seguro de poder mantener su nivel de vida después de la jubilación.
El estudio destaca conceptos erróneos sobre la planificación de la jubilación, con un 56% que cree que necesita ahorrar 30 veces su salario anual para los 65 años, aunque 10 veces puede ser suficiente. Además, el 54% asume incorrectamente que puede retirar de manera segura el 10% de sus ahorros para la jubilación anualmente. En el ámbito empresarial, los propietarios de pequeñas y medianas empresas muestran un optimismo cauteloso, con un 64% positivo sobre su perspectiva a 12 meses, a pesar de la disminución de la confianza en la economía estadounidense (una caída de 14 puntos) y en las economías locales (una caída de 12 puntos). Las preocupaciones sobre la retención de empleados cayeron del 46% al 32%, mientras que las preocupaciones sobre la atracción de talento disminuyeron del 39% al 33%.
프린시펄 파이낸셜 그룹의 연구는 2025년 퇴직 저축 및 중소기업 전망에 대한 주요 통찰력을 공개합니다. 미국인의 88%가 퇴직을 위해 저축하고 있으며, 그중 89%는 고용주 계획을 사용하고, 58%는 연간 소득의 최소 9%를 기여하고 있지만, 두드러진 신뢰의 격차가 있습니다. 34%가 퇴직 목표에서 뒤처져 있다고 느끼고, 32%는 퇴직 후 생활 수준 유지를 확실하지 않다고 합니다.
이 연구는 퇴직 계획에 대한 오해를 강조하며, 56%가 65세까지 연봉의 30배를 저축해야 한다고 믿고 있지만, 10배면 충분할 수 있습니다. 또한, 54%는 연간 퇴직 저축의 10%를 안전하게 인출할 수 있다고 잘못 가정하고 있습니다. 사업 측면에서 중소기업 소유자들은 신중한 낙관론을 보이며, 64%가 향후 12개월에 대해 긍정적인 견해를 갖고 있지만, 미국 경제에 대한 신뢰는 감소했습니다(14포인트 하락) 및 지역 경제(12포인트 하락). 직원 유지에 대한 우려는 46%에서 32%로 감소했으며, 인재 유치에 대한 걱정은 39%에서 33%로 줄어들었습니다.
Principal Financial Group a mené une recherche qui révèle des informations clés sur l'épargne retraite et les perspectives des petites entreprises pour 2025. Bien que 88% des Américains épargnent pour la retraite, avec 89% utilisant les plans de l'employeur et 58% contribuant au moins 9% de leurs revenus annuels, il existe un écart de confiance notable. 34% se sentent en retard par rapport à leurs objectifs de retraite et 32% ne sont pas sûrs de pouvoir maintenir leur niveau de vie après la retraite.
L'étude met en avant des idées fausses sur la planification de la retraite, avec 56% croyant qu'ils doivent économiser 30 fois leur salaire annuel d'ici 65 ans, alors que 10 fois pourrait suffire. De plus, 54% supposent à tort qu'ils peuvent retirer en toute sécurité 10% de leurs économies de retraite chaque année. Du côté des affaires, les propriétaires de petites et moyennes entreprises montrent un optimisme prudent, 64% étant positifs quant à leurs perspectives à 12 mois malgré un déclin de la confiance dans l'économie américaine (une baisse de 14 points) et dans les économies locales (une baisse de 12 points). Les préoccupations concernant la rétention des employés ont diminué de 46% à 32%, tandis que les craintes liées à l'attraction de talents sont passées de 39% à 33%.
Die Principal Financial Group hat eine Untersuchung durchgeführt, die wichtige Einblicke zum Thema Altersvorsorge und zu den Perspektiven für kleine Unternehmen im Jahr 2025 offenbart. Obwohl 88% der Amerikaner für die Rente sparen, nutzen 89% Arbeitgeberpläne und 58% tragen mindestens 9% ihres Jahreseinkommens bei, gibt es eine auffällige Vertrauenslücke. 34% fühlen sich bei ihren Alterszielen hinterher und 32% sind unsicher, wie sie ihren Lebensstandard im Ruhestand aufrechterhalten können.
Die Studie hebt Misskonzeptionen zur Altersvorsorge hervor, wobei 56% glauben, dass sie bis zum Alter von 65 Jahren 30-mal ihr Jahresgehalt gespart haben müssen, obwohl 10-mal ausreichend sein könnte. Außerdem gehen 54% fälschlicherweise davon aus, dass sie jährlich sicher 10% ihrer Altersvorsorge abheben könnten. Im Geschäftsbereich zeigen Klein- und Mittelstandsunternehmer eine vorsichtige Optimismus, wobei 64% positiv auf ihre 12-Monats-Aussichten blicken, trotz eines Rückgangs des Vertrauens in die US-Wirtschaft ( Rückgang um 14 Punkte) und die lokalen Volkswirtschaften (Rückgang um 12 Punkte). Die Bedenken bezüglich der Mitarbeiterbindung sanken von 46% auf 32%, während die Sorgen um die Anwerbung von Talenten von 39% auf 33% zurückgingen.
- 88% of Americans actively building retirement savings
- 58% of Americans committing 9%+ of annual income to retirement
- 72% of employees comfortable getting professional financial help
- 64% of business owners optimistic about 12-month outlook
- Improved business climate with decreased retention concerns (46% to 32%)
- 34% of Americans feel behind on retirement goals
- 32% uncertain about maintaining living standard post-retirement
- 14-point decrease in confidence in U.S. economy
- Only 44% of employees report wages keeping up with inflation
- Widespread misconceptions about retirement savings requirements
Insights
Principal Financial Group's latest research unveils critical insights into retirement savings patterns and business sentiment, with significant implications for the financial services sector. The data presents a complex picture of both opportunities and challenges.
The retirement savings landscape shows strong engagement, with 88% of Americans actively building their nest eggs and 58% committing at least 9% of annual income to retirement. However, there's a troubling knowledge gap in retirement planning fundamentals. The widespread misconception that 30x annual salary is needed for retirement (versus the generally accepted 10x benchmark) suggests potential over-saving that could be impacting current consumption and economic growth.
The business sentiment data reveals a noteworthy shift in the labor market dynamics. The significant drop in retention concerns from 46% to 32% between July and November 2024 indicates a potential cooling in the job market, which could impact wage growth and retirement contribution rates. The declining confidence in both national and local economies (14 and 12-point decreases respectively) suggests businesses are preparing for a more challenging operating environment.
For Principal Financial Group, these trends present both opportunities and challenges. The high engagement in retirement savings coupled with widespread uncertainty about retirement planning creates a clear market opportunity for financial education and advisory services. The research shows 72% of employees are receptive to professional financial guidance, representing a significant business opportunity in the advisory space.
However, the softening business outlook and persistent inflation concerns could pressure Principal's core business segments, particularly in employee benefits and retirement solutions. The fact that only 44% of employees report wages keeping pace with inflation suggests potential headwinds for retirement contribution growth and increased pressure on maintaining current participation rates.
Retirement Landscape in 2025
Saving for retirement is the top financial priority for Americans, according to recent Principal® research. Nearly nine-in-10 people (
“Retirement savers were resilient in 2024, socking away money at a robust rate despite inflation and interest rate pressures,” said Chris Littlefield, president of Retirement and Income Solutions at Principal. “However, the same Americans who are showing strong savings behaviors and momentum also lack confidence in their retirement readiness. That's where we focus at Principal – helping set people up for success while building confidence in the choices they’re making. Our decades of retirement expertise in the workplace helps us support employees of all kinds with services that include advice, income solutions, and education.”
The disconnect between how people are saving for retirement and how they feel about their retirement readiness could stem from misconceptions around savings benchmarks and planning for income in retirement.
Over half of employees surveyed (
While there is a knowledge gap around best practices for saving and planning for income in retirement, two-thirds (
“People are seeking more comprehensive help and advice as they plan for retirement, which is increasing the importance of taking a holistic view of their needs in retirement beyond just the amount they need to save,” Littlefield said.
Economic Outlook for Small-to-Midsized Businesses
The landscape for small-to-midsized businesses is softening from record hiring and growth in the first half of 2024 to cautious optimism and stable staffing. Recent survey data from the Principal® Financial Well-Being IndexSM shows most business owners (
Economic inflation remains the top concern for both employers and employees, with findings showing both groups continue to feel pinched. Notably, only
At the same time, the outlook for hiring and retention has softened. Employer concerns about employee retention fell from
“We’ve seen ongoing small business growth, reaching post-pandemic highs in 2024. While we expect to see that growth continue, we could see a slowdown as business owners continue to battle inflation,” said Amy Friedrich, president of Benefits & Protection at Principal. “It will be critical for small-to-midsized business owners to closely watch the impact of new economic policies – particularly those with tax implications – along with changes in credit and lending markets and adjust accordingly to do what’s right for their employees, customers, and the health of their business.”
Click the links for more results and insights from the latest Principal® Real Life Retirement Journeys and Principal® Financial Well-Being IndexSM surveys.
About Principal Financial Group®
Principal Financial Group® (Nasdaq: PFG) is a global financial company with nearly 20,000 employees6 passionate about improving the wealth and well-being of people and businesses. In business for 145 years, we’re helping approximately 68 million customers7 plan, protect, invest, and retire, while working to support the communities where we do business, and build a diverse, inclusive workforce. Principal® is proud to be recognized as one of the 2024 World’s Most Ethical Companies8, a member of the Bloomberg Gender Equality Index, and named as a “Best Places to Work in Money Management9.” Learn more about Principal and our commitment to sustainability, inclusion, and purpose at principal.com.
Dynata is not an affiliate of any company of the Principal Financial Group®.
Insurance products issued by Principal National Life Insurance Co (except in NY) and Principal Life Insurance Company®. Plan administrative services offered by Principal Life. Principal Funds, Inc. is distributed by Principal Funds Distributor, Inc. Securities offered through Principal Securities, Inc., member SIPC and/or independent broker/-dealers. Referenced companies are members of the Principal Financial Group®,
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1 Principal Real Life Retirement Journeys survey, August 2024
2 Principal Financial Well-Being Index Survey, November 2024
3 For illustrative purposes only. As of December 2024, assuming an individual has saved 10 times their salary at age 65 and a
4 Principal Financial Well-Being Index Survey, November 2024
5 Principal Real Life Retirement Journeys survey, August 2024
6 As of September 30, 2024
7 As of September 30, 2024
8 Ethisphere, 2024
9 Pensions & Investments, 2024
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250122966368/en/
Media Contact: Phillip Nicolino, nicolino.phillip@principal.com, 515-362-0239
Source: Principal Financial Group
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