US Retirement System Slips to 24th Globally as Inflation, Debt…

Event summary

The US dropped to 24th place in Natixis Investment Managers' 2026 Global Retirement Index, down from 21st in 2025 and 14th a decade ago.
Finances in Retirement ranking fell eight places to 18th due to inflation and government indebtedness.
81% of American investors now believe it is their responsibility to fund retirement, up from 63% a decade ago.
76% of US investors expect mounting public debt to reduce retirement benefits, while 77% anticipate higher taxes.
Over 700,000 Americans now receive Social Security benefits abroad, a 60% increase from two decades ago.

The big picture

The US retirement system is under strain from an aging population, inflation, and public debt, forcing individuals to take more responsibility for their retirement savings. The decline in the Global Retirement Index reflects broader pressures on traditional three-pillar retirement models, with policymakers and advisors focusing on modernizing systems to better align with current economic realities. Natixis Investment Managers, with $1.5 trillion in assets under management, highlights the need for expanded access, automated savings, and realistic return expectations.

What we're watching

Policy Adaptation: Whether SECURE 2.0 and state-level automated retirement savings programs can effectively expand access and participation.
Investor Expectations: How the gap between investor expectations (8.9% returns above inflation) and advisor projections (7.4%) will impact retirement planning.
Private Asset Integration: The pace at which defined contribution plans incorporate private assets, given 60% of advisors expect this within the next 12 months.