Growing uncertainty over Social Security, Medicare and fiscal policy has left many older Americans more concerned about their financial futures \u2014 with some delaying retirement and shifting to more conservative investment strategies.<\/p>\n
Findings from a new survey analysis by the Center for Retirement Research at Boston College offer critical insights for reverse mortgage<\/a> professionals as they collaborate with financial planners<\/a> to address senior clients\u2019 evolving retirement needs.<\/p>\n The survey, conducted by Greenwald Reserch<\/strong>, drew responses from 1,443 individuals ages 45 to 79 with more than $100,000 in investable assets. It found 39% growing more concerned about their financial future during the first seven months of 2025 \u2014 while only 15% became less concerned.<\/p>\n Among the policy risks examined, potential cuts to Social Security<\/a> benefits emerged as the top worry for retirees and near-retirees alike.<\/p>\n Fifty-four percent of respondents said a 20% cut to Social Security benefits starting in 2035 would require \u201csignificant sacrifices or a tighter budget\u201d \u2014 the highest percentage among all policy scenarios presented.<\/p>\n \u201cSince Social Security provides the majority of income for roughly half of U.S. retirees, any change to the program can have seismic implications for their household finances,\u201d the report states.<\/p>\n The Social Security retirement trust fund is projected to be depleted<\/a> by 2033, according to the report, after which current revenue would cover only about 75% of statutory retirement benefits.<\/p>\n In response to heightened policy uncertainty, 21% of pre-retirees now plan to retire<\/a> later than they anticipated before 2025, while only 4% plan to retire earlier.<\/p>\n Additionally, 27% of respondents have moved to more conservative investment portfolios since the start of the year.<\/p>\n The survey found a direct correlation between exposure to news about Social Security\u2019s financial challenges and decisions to delay retirement. Those who consumed substantial coverage of Social Security\u2019s difficulties were 16.6% percentage points more likely to delay retirement compared to those with little exposure.<\/p>\n While only 39% of respondents said Medicare<\/a> premium increases of 10% annually for three years would significantly affect their budgets, exposure to news about Medicare cost growth was still associated with heightened financial concerns and plans to delay retirement.<\/p>\nRetirement delays, investment shifts<\/h2>\n
Medicare, inflation and tariffs<\/h2>\n