Adults Without Children More Concerned About Retirement Saving Than Parents, per Survey

While child-related costs would seem to deter retirement savers’ investments, new research suggests parents may be more confident about retirement than their child-free peers.

According to recent data from the 2026 Annual Retirement Study from Allianz Life Insurance Co., 52% of U.S. adults with no children said they were confident in reaching their retirement savings goals, compared with 72% of U.S. adults that do have children.

The findings challenge a common assumption that adults without children have an easier path to retirement readiness because they are not facing child-related expenses.

“This is a wake-up call for all of us,” says Kelly LaVigne, Allianz Life’s vice president of consumer insights. “Advisers might be making the same type of assumption: If [clients] don’t have children, their expenses are lower, and … they have more freedom to do some of the things that people with children might not.”

However, the survey suggested, many child-free adults face financial challenges of their own. According to the study, 62% of adults without children have no written financial plan, compared with 42% of parents.

Among respondents without children, the most-cited concerns affecting retirement savings were rising costs of living (71%), day-to-day expenses (61%) and housing costs (54%). Additionally, 66% said they worried they would not be able to afford long-term care expenses in retirement.

By comparison, among adults with children, 64% cited rising living costs, 53% cited day-to-day expenses, 60% cited long-term care costs, and 47% cited housing costs as concerns.

LaVigne says adults without children may feel additional pressure because they lack the family support system many expect to rely on later in life. As a result, they may feel a greater need to save, while simultaneously facing similar economic pressures as other households.

The findings echo broader concerns about workers’ overall financial well-being. According to Alight’s 2026 Employee Mindset Study, 61% of employees contributed to their employer retirement plan in 2026, down from 73% in 2021. The full results of the Employee Mindset Study have yet to be released.

“The financial environment facing workers today is markedly different than it was a few years ago,” wrote Chris Farmer, Alight’s wealth client portfolio leader, in an email to PLANADVISER. “Employees continue to navigate higher costs for essentials, healthcare expenses and broader economic uncertainty.”

Alight’s research also found that 41% of surveyed workers said they are just getting by financially, with most respondents citing rising costs and economic uncertainty. 

According to Farmer, advisers can address such needs by helping employees understand how much they should save for retirement, whether they are on track and what actions will make the biggest difference.

“When financial decisions feel complex or overwhelming, people are more likely to delay action,” Farmer wrote. “That’s why access to personalized guidance and clear communications is so important.”