"Retirement Reconsidered (and Redefined) in 2026": Americans Embrace More Flexible Retirement Paths
The fourth annual “Retirement Reconsidered” survey by F&G found that Americans are rethinking when to retire and what retirement should look like.
- 51% of the near-retiree population plans for a semi-retired lifestyle, while 75% have considered or are delaying their retirement.
Des Moines, Iowa, October 15th / PRNewswire / -- According to the fourth annual “Retirement Reconsidered” survey by F&G (New York Stock Exchange ticker: FG, hereinafter referred to as F&G), retirement is increasingly not seen as a single point in time when Americans stop working, but rather as a gradual transition. F&G is an insurance solutions provider for retail annuity and life insurance customers, as well as institutional clients. Among Americans over the age of 50 surveyed, nearly one-third (31%) consider themselves to be semi-retired or plan to become semi-retired. Among those who have not yet retired, more than half (51%) indicate that they plan to semi-retire in the future. At the same time, 75% of the pre-retirement population has considered or is delaying their retirement date, which is higher than the 70% reported in 2025.
Americans are not just delaying retirement; they are actually redesigning it.
Surveys show that many Americans over the age of 50 are rethinking retirement, and the traditional definition of retirement is becoming more flexible and personalized. Generation X and the pre-retirement population are driving this trend. Other key findings include:
- More than half (53%) of Americans over the age of 50 agree that the path to retirement is becoming more flexible.
- 60% of the pre-retiree population believes that retirement is a "gradual transition over time."
- Only 21% of the pre-retiree population associates retirement with "completely stopping work"
- Nearly two-thirds (65%) of the pre-retiree population view retirement as an opportunity to reinvent themselves.
F&G's CEO and President, Conor Murphy, stated: "Regardless of their savings or income levels, Americans are not only rethinking when to retire; they are also redefining what retirement itself entails. For some, this means choosing to work less, gradually transitioning into retirement, and even redefining themselves in this new phase of life; for others, their original plans have had to be adjusted to fit financial realities. As retirement becomes more flexible and personalized, it is increasingly important to provide accessible planning solutions that can evolve with changing needs and offer greater certainty and confidence throughout the process."
External factors are reshaping retirement plans
Even as retirement itself has become more flexible, financial and economic pressures continue to reshape Americans' plans. Among the surveyed pre-retirees, over half (51%) indicated that they expect to retire later than originally planned, up from 45% in 2025. For those considering or delaying retirement, 52% are worried that they do not have enough money, compared to 48% last year.
Other financial uncertainties are also affecting retirement decisions. Among Americans aged 50 and above, the factor that influences retirement planning is the availability of social security (46%) at the top of the list, followed by medical/long-term care costs (43%) and the availability of health insurance (31%).
With the evolution of retirement patterns, Americans aged 50 and above indicate that economic and other external factors have a greater impact on their decisions than a year ago. More than half (57%) say that events in 2026 have affected their retirement planning, up from 49% in 2025. Among those approaching retirement, this proportion rises to 70%, compared to 61% last year.
This impact is more pronounced among Generation X, with over two-thirds (68%) stating that events in 2026 influenced their retirement decisions, which is 11 percentage points higher than last year. In contrast, approximately half of the Baby Boomer generation (51%) also reported the same.
Seeking predictability in an uncertain retirement environment
Although Americans surveyed are more open to flexible retirement options, the survey results show that, in addition to concerns about retirement readiness, people still strongly prefer financial certainty and predictability, especially those from Generation X.
Main findings include:
- Three-quarters (75%) of people would prefer higher financial certainty and predictable income, even if this limits the potential for investment growth.
- Two-thirds (67%) of people stated that they feel it is necessary to invest or increase their allocation in products that can provide guaranteed income in the future, and this proportion rises to 73% among Generation X.
- Only 11% of Generation X gives themselves an “A” rating in terms of financial preparedness for retirement, compared to 20% among Americans over the age of 50 as a whole.
F&G's Chief Distribution Officer, Ron Barrett, stated: "The roadmap to retirement is no longer a straight line, which makes personalized financial planning increasingly important. Financial professionals can help individuals consider how their assets can support different stages of retirement and provide predictability throughout the process through customized plans, thereby ensuring a secure financial legacy. Guaranteed income products, such as annuities, as well as protective products like index-linked universal life insurance, may be important components of such discussions, as they help to provide reliable income and greater financial confidence throughout the retirement period, regardless of where that journey takes them."
For more information on F&G's latest survey, please visit fglife.com / research.
Investigation Methods
This study was conducted by Censuswide and involved 2,001 adults aged 50 and above from the United States. These individuals are considered "decision-makers" (or co-decision-makers) in their family finances and possess investable assets of $100,000 or more. Data collection took place from August 4, 2026, to August 31, 2026.
About F&G
F& G Annuities & Life, Inc. Committed to helping Americans turn their visions into reality. F&G is a leading insurance solutions provider for retail annuity and life insurance customers, as well as institutional clients, with its headquarters located in Des Moines, Iowa. For more information, please visit fglife.com.
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