Americans Retreat from Risk as Financial Stress Peaks, F&G Survey Shows
Event summary
- 77% of Americans report increased financial caution in F&G's 2026 Risk Tolerance Tracker, up 4 percentage points from 2025.
- 81% of Americans in their 40s have become more risk-averse, reflecting mounting financial pressure at a critical life stage.
- Healthcare costs surged to the second-highest financial concern, rising 8 percentage points year-over-year to 31%.
- 56% of Americans worry about AI's negative financial impact, up 6 percentage points from 2025.
- 54% of respondents do not work with a financial professional despite heightened uncertainty.
The big picture
F&G's survey highlights a broader trend of increasing financial caution among American investors, driven by affordability pressures and economic uncertainty. The data suggests a strategic opportunity for financial institutions to address growing demand for risk management solutions, particularly among mid-career individuals facing multiple financial pressures. The survey results underscore the importance of comprehensive financial planning in an environment where traditional retirement assumptions are being challenged.
What we're watching
- Shifting Financial Priorities
- How rising healthcare and AI-related concerns will impact demand for guaranteed income products like annuities.
- Generational Divide
- Whether younger generations' proactive financial adjustments will translate into sustained demand for financial advisory services.
- Advisory Gap
- The pace at which financial institutions can address the 54% of Americans navigating economic uncertainty without professional guidance.
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