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As the nation marks National Retirement Security Month, new research from TIAA, titled 'Retirement in the Age of AI and GLP-1s,' reveals that Americans are significantly divided on how artificial intelligence (AI) and medical breakthroughs will ultimately impact their financial security in retirement. The survey, which polled 1,000 U.S. adults, presents a complex perspective of both optimism for longer, healthier lives and anxiety over the substantial financial costs associated with funding these extended retirements.
The survey reveals a significant division among Americans regarding the financial impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) integration into the healthcare system on retirees' futures. Twenty-seven percent anticipate an increase in healthcare costs due to the development of expensive new breakthrough treatments enabled by AI. Conversely, 22% believe AI will lead to a reduction in costs by enhancing the efficiency, preventative capabilities, and accessibility of care. Another 20% foresee no significant financial impact from AI on retirement healthcare expenses. A substantial 32% admit they simply do not know what the financial implications of AI will be. This widespread uncertainty is particularly striking given that a large majority, 77% of all respondents, already identify the escalating cost of healthcare as a direct and serious threat to their retirement planning efforts and financial security.
A notable finding from the TIAA survey indicates that four in ten Americans, specifically 43%, lack confidence that current and traditional retirement planning methodologies adequately account for the reality of increasingly longer lifespans, where retirements often extend into a person's 80s, 90s, and even beyond. When questioned about the specific financial challenges associated with potentially living longer, particularly due to medical advancements like GLP-1 medications, a range of concerns emerged. The most prominent worries include the fear of running out of money to cover basic day-to-day living expenses (cited by 46%), not having sufficient disposable income to genuinely enjoy these extended years of retirement (42%), and the daunting prospect of affording the high cost of long-term medical, memory, or nursing care (41%). Furthermore, 30% of individuals express a specific concern about becoming a financial burden on their children or other family members, highlighting the intergenerational impact of inadequate planning. Overall, more than half (53%) of Americans consider withdrawing too much from their savings and consequently running out of money before death as a primary retirement concern.
Beyond the direct impact on healthcare costs and the general challenge of funding a longer life, the survey also brought to light a significant anxiety regarding AI's near-term influence on retirement readiness through its effects on the workforce. Forty percent of Americans perceive the rapid rise and integration of Artificial Intelligence in the workplace as a direct threat to their existing retirement plans. This concern is logically rooted in the potential for AI to disrupt established careers, potentially leading to job displacement or a reduction in earning potential before workers have had the chance to accumulate a comfortable level of savings. Such disruptions would inevitably shorten the critical accumulation phase of retirement planning, leaving individuals with less time and fewer resources to build the essential 'nest egg' required to adequately fund an increasingly longer retirement period.
The research highlights a strong consensus on the importance of robust retirement provisions. A vast majority, 90% of survey respondents, agree on the critical importance for all Americans to have access to comprehensive retirement savings accounts. This access should be complemented by essential resources and educational tools needed to effectively understand and manage their funds throughout their working lives and into retirement. Furthermore, there is an overwhelming belief among workers that employers bear a significant responsibility to offer retirement plans that include viable options for converting accumulated savings into guaranteed retirement income. Such income solutions are designed never to run out, thereby directly addressing the core 'longevity risk' – the fear of outliving one's savings. When individuals have access to these guaranteed lifetime income products within their employer-sponsored retirement plans, the fundamental concern about income security, irrespective of how long a person lives, can be effectively addressed, providing much-needed peace of mind.
The '2026 TIAA Retirement in the Age of AI and GLP-1s Survey,' which provided the data for these findings, was commissioned by TIAA and meticulously conducted online by KRC Research. The study gathered insights from a representative sample of 1,000 U.S. adults, ranging in age from 18 to 65. The data collection phase for this comprehensive study was carried out over a short period, from July 27th to July 31st, 2026, ensuring timely and relevant insights into public sentiment regarding retirement security in an evolving technological and medical landscape.
TIAA is a distinguished financial services organization with a core mission to help ensure a more secure financial future for all its clients. It operates as a leading entity in retirement planning, wealth management, and asset management sectors. Throughout its history, TIAA has consistently provided diverse investment options and expert guidance, enabling individuals to pursue lasting prosperity across various market cycles and multiple generations. As of June 30, 2026, TIAA managed nearly $1.6 trillion in assets. Demonstrating its commitment to client security, the organization successfully paid out more than $6.17 billion in lifetime income to its retired clients during the year 2025, underscoring its role in providing reliable financial support for a comfortable retirement.