Retirement

Amid labor shortages in the post-pandemic economy, this survey report describes employers' competition for talent and the current state of age-friendly business practices and health, welfare, and retirement benefit offerings.

In-depth survey report outlining more than 25 indicators of retirement readiness among the U.S. general population with demographic analysis by household income, urbanicity, race/ethnicity, gender, and LGBTQ+ status.

This research illustrates how women workers are juggling competing financial priorities, preparing for the future, and facing risky retirement prospects.

Examines similarities and differences in the retirement-related expectations, preparations, and experiences of age 50+ workers and retirees.

Learn how Generation Z, Millennial, Generation X, and Baby Boomer workers are contending with the post-pandemic hangover and hurdles to their future retirement.

Explore employers’ benefit offerings, employees' unmet needs, and best practices for the multigenerational workforce and enhancements to retirement savings plans from the SECURE 2.0 Act of 2022. 

Research from Transamerica Center for Retirement Studies illustrates the importance of the SECURE 2.0 Act of 2022 and how it enhances retirement security.

An in-depth survey report with 35 key indicators of workers’ retirement readiness by employment status, household income, educational attainment, urbanicity, caregiver status, LGBTQ+ status, and race/ethnicity.

Survey report examines the experiences of women workers and the impacts of the pandemic on their health, employment, financial well-being, and retirement preparedness.

Focuses on the experiences of workers including Generation Z, Millennials, Generation X, and Baby Boomers and the impacts of the pandemic on their health and happiness, employment, financial well-being, and retirement preparations. 

Examines the impacts of the pandemic on employers, how they are adapting to rapidly evolving new realities, and how they are supporting their employees through their business practices and employee benefit offerings including retirement benefits.

Examines the impacts of the pandemic and the retirement prospects of the workforce including employed workers, self-employed workers, and those unemployed but looking for work. Based on a late 2021 survey.

An early 2022 analysis of a little-known tax credit for retirement savers, the IRS Saver's Credit, which includes historical trends data, levels of awareness, and recommendations for policymakers to expand it. 

Transamerica Center for Retirement Studies celebrated International Women's Day in 2022 with these infographics based on its global retirement survey, a collaboration with Aegon and Instituto de Longevidade (MAG). 

The New Social Contract: Future-Proofing Retirement explores the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on workers and retirees, outlines how individuals can enhance their retirement security, examines the roles of government and employers, and provides detailed recommendations. This research report is based on a global survey in 15 countries spanning the Americas, Europe, Asia, and Australia.

Examines the health, employment, and finances of workers amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Research report offers 35 key indicators of workers' retirement readiness by employment status, work arrangements, urbanicity, household income, race/ethnicity, LGBTQ+, and caregiver status.

Examines the experiences of women workers and the impacts of the pandemic on their health, employment, financial well-being, and retirement preparedness. 

Examines the retirement outlook of Generation Z, Millennials, Generation X, and Baby Boomers. It focuses on the experiences of employed workers of for-profit companies and the impacts of the pandemic on their health, employment, financial well-being, and their ability to save and invest for retirement.

Examines the pandemic’s impact on employers, their response, and timely opportunities. The research report is based on a survey of more than 1,900 employers conducted during November and December 2020. It includes an analysis by company size.

The New Social Contract: Young Adults Reinventing Life, Work, and Retirement examines the retirement-related attitudes and behaviors of workers around the world who are in their 20s, a cohort straddling the Millennial and Generation Z generations. 

This research provides insights into employers' business practices and employee benefits offerings including retirement benefits. Based on surveys of employers and workers conducted in late 2019, before the onset of the pandemic, this report provides comparisons by company size.

The Compendium examines the impact of the coronavirus pandemic and offers 25+ indicators of retirement readiness across employment status, urbanicities, LGBTQ status, level of educational attainment, generation, gender, and race/ethnicity. It also offers priorities for policymakers for improving retirement security for all Americans. This research report is based on a survey of workers conducted in late 2019 and offers comparisons with a supplemental survey conducted in October 2020.

This research report examines women’s finances before and during the pandemic, and their expectations about retirement. It offers actionable recommendations for improving outcomes in women’s long-term retirement preparedness.

Retirees were financially fragile before the COVID-19 pandemic and now they are even more vulnerable. Most retirees had already retired before the COVID-19 pandemic and they may be able to weather the storm better than workers. However, many retirees would be unable to pay large out-of-pocket costs if they were hit with unexpected bills. This research report is based on a survey conducted in late 2019 and offers comparisons with a supplemental survey conducted in June 2020. 

Explores the evolving nature of employer-employee relationships and examines the vital role of employers in helping their employees achieve a financially secure retirement. Based on a global survey, the research report delves into employers' business practices and employee benefit offerings.

Examines the retirement outlook of women compared with men at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. It is based on findings from a survey conducted in April 2020, a time when large segments of the economy were shutting down.

Examines the retirement outlook of Millennials, Generation X, and Baby Boomers at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. The report is based on findings from a survey of workers conducted in late 2019 and comparisons from a follow-up survey in April 2020 when large segments of the economy had temporarily closed.

Highlights the gravity of the challenges women face inhibiting their ability to achieve a financially secure retirement and calls for a new social contract. The research report is based on a 2019 global survey spanning 15 countries across the Americas, Europe, Asia, and Australia.

Provides in-depth perspectives on the retirement readiness of U.S. workers. This research report offers 30+ key indicators with analysis by employment status (full-time, part-time), generation, gender, household income, level of education, and race/ethnicity.

Sheds light on the financial vulnerabilities of women. This survey report highlights opportunities and action steps women can take to help improve their retirement outlook.

Explores the vital societal role that employers play in helping workers achieve long-term financial security. It examines employers’ perspectives, age-friendly business practices, and employee benefits that enable workers to work, save, and transition into retirement.

Examines the retirement views, expectations, and preparations of the self-employed and offers comparisons with employed workers.

Focuses on how individuals can take greater control over their retirement security with the support of governments, employers, and other social partners. The research report is based on a global retirement survey across 15 countries spanning the Americas, Europe, Asia, and Australia. 

Explores the perspectives, attitudes, and preparations of American workers for longer lives and the meaning of “retirement.” Based on a survey of workers, this research report focuses on Baby Boomers, Generation X, and Millennials. 

Examines the unique circumstances among workers in physically demanding occupations (referred to as physical workers) that undermine their ability to achieve financial security in retirement. Based on a global retirement survey across 15 countries spanning the Americas, Europe, Asia, and Australia.

Examines retirees’ lives in retirement, financial situation, living arrangements, and plans for long-term care. The research report is based on a 2018 survey of more than 2,000 people who are retired.

A comparison of the 2007 and 2017 survey findings illustrates the resilience of the U.S. retirement system, especially with regard to 401(k) or similar plans, and that retirement security among many workers has improved since 2007. However, it should be underscored that many workers can do more to adequately prepare themselves for retirement and they need support from their employers and policymakers.

Illustrates ways in which employers and workers are in sync, while also revealing major disconnects. As part of its 18th Annual Retirement Survey, Transamerica Center for Retirement Studies interviewed more than 1,800 employers of for-profit companies to gain insights into how they are helping their employees prepare for retirement. The report provides comparisons with a survey of more than 6,300 workers.

Provides a trend analysis of more than 60 broad measures of the retirement outlook among American workers, ranging from attitudes and beliefs, access to employer-sponsored retirement benefits, savings rates, and planning-related activities, to the changing nature of retirement itself. The report also offers demographic analysis by employer size, generation, gender, household income, level of education, and ethnicity.

Examines retirement insecurities at a time in history in which megatrends are changing how people live, work, age, and retire. The report offers a detailed depiction of retirement-related attitudes and preparations among today’s workers, identifying areas of strength and highlighting vulnerabilities, in the context of this era in which continued change is a certainty. Ultimately, the report sets forth a series of recommendations for forging a new social contract that is sustainable, resilient, and adaptable for the future. Based on a global retirement survey across 15 countries spanning the Americas, Europe, Asia, and Australia.

Illustrates that women in the workforce have a strong vision of retirement, yet many face challenges that make it more difficult to adequately save, invest, and prepare than their male counterparts. The research report also illuminates opportunities for women to take greater control of their retirement.

A research report examining the retirement outlook among the LGBT community. Based on findings from a survey of 900 LGBT workers and retirees across nine countries: Australia, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, the United Kingdom and the United States.

Today’s workers are expecting to live long lives and, in doing so, they are disrupting retirement as we once knew it. Many are envisioning retirement as a new chapter in life that involves continued work but with more free time to pursue personal interests. The big question: Is their vision wishful thinking or within their reach? This research report finds that  workers across generations including Millennials, Generation X, and Baby Boomers share a compelling vision of retirement, yet many still have major fears and concerns.

An in-depth analysis of non-professional family caregivers to gain a better understanding of caregivers' responsibilities, time commitments, and the impact of caregiving on their own health and well-being, employment, finances and retirement preparations. Includes primary versus non-primary caregivers and demographic portraits by voluntary status, gender, generation, household income, employment status, and race/ethnicity. The report also offers detailed findings about the care recipients, including their health status and financial situation. Lastly, it provides recommendations for helping caregivers.

Based on a survey of 1,800 employers, this research report illuminates employers’ views on their employees’ future retirement, including when and how they believe their employees envision retiring, the extent to which they have business practices to support them, and the current state of retirement benefits offered.

Broadens the discussion on how people are preparing for retirement by examining the roles that health and finances play in in people’s retirement outlook and preparations. Based on a global survey, this report spotlights a disconnect between concerns many people have about their health in older age versus their current health-related behaviors.

Sheds light on vulnerabilities unique to women in their efforts to prepare for a secure retirement. This research report is based on findings from TCRS’ 17^th Annual Transamerica Retirement Survey of Workers and is being released coincident with National Women’s History Month which corresponds with International Women’s Day on March 8.

A portrait of the self-employed, their vision of retirement, and their approach to (or lack of) retirement saving, planning, and investing. Based on a global survey across 15 countries spanning the Americas, Europe, Asia, and Australia. It also reveals the vulnerabilities among the self-employed and offers recommendations for helping improve their long-term financial security.

Examines the retirement preparedness of American workers. Based on a survey of more than 4,100 workers, the report shares their perspectives and experience with regard to retirement confidence, access to employer-sponsored retirement benefits, savings rates, and planning-related activities. It offers demographic analysis by employer size, generation, gender, household income, level of education, and race/ethnicity. 

Examines the retirement preparations and prospects of three generations currently represented in the workforce: Baby Boomers, Generation X, and Millennials. With the November 2016 election in mind, the survey asked workers about priorities for the new President and Congress to help prepare Americans for a financially secure retirement.

Provides an overview of employer trends, plan sponsorship rates, comparisons by company size, and worker insights. This research report features survey data about employers and the extent to which they are helping their employees prepare for retirement. It was released as part of Catherine Collinson's testimony at a hearing convened by the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging.

Workplace retirement plans are one of the most effective ways of encouraging Americans to save for retirement. However, many workers including part-time workers do not have access to a plan. This short report examines differences of retirement plan coverage among workers based on their employment status (i.e., full-time, part-time) and illustrates the value of workplace retirement plans among part-time workers as supported by their high participation and contribution rates.

This fifth annual global retirement survey presents a five-year trend analysis based on the survey’s original nine countries in 2012 and present-day findings from 2016 based on 5 countries spanning Europe, the Americas, Asia, and Australia. Central to the findings in this report is the lack of progress in retirement readiness across the globe. The report evaluates the current state of retirement readiness and explores key areas warranting focus and attention.

At a time when many are still recovering from the Great Recession, this research report provides in-depth perspectives about retirees including their attitudes about life in retirement, time commitments, living arrangements, and personal finances. The good news is that most retirees are enjoying life, but the concerning news is that many are ill-equipped to deal with a financial shock such as the possible need for long-term care.

Transamerica Center for Retirement Studies released this short research report about women's retirement-related risks in recognition of International Women’s Day, March 8, 2016.

The study identifies workers’ vision of retirement as "the new flexible retirement." This vision represents an important opportunity to work longer, continue earning income, stay active and involved, and fully retire at an older age – while freeing up time for family, friends, and enjoyment. This vision can also create a win-win situation by serving as a powerful tool to help solve government, social security, and employer-related issues resulting from population aging.

Compares and contrasts the retirement outlook of age 50+ workers with the actual experiences of retirees. While many age 50+ workers expect to work beyond age 65 and/or work in retirement, many retirees retired before they had planned to, often due to circumstances beyond their control.

A global retirement survey report that exposes homemakers’ retirement risks, identifies their challenges and opportunities, and offers recommendations for homemakers and their families, as well as employers, and policymakers to improve their long-term financial security. 

At a time when few workers had fully recovered from the Great Recession, this comprehensive research report provides a five-year trend analysis on 50 key indicators of retirement readiness and demographic segmentation analyses of 20 key indicators of retirement readiness by employer size, generation, gender, household income, and level of education.

Social Security Turns 80: Expectations and Preparations of American Workers by Age Range examines workers’ attitudes and expectations surrounding Social Security in 2015.

Inspiring a World of Habitual Savers: The Aegon Retirement Readiness Survey 2015 explores how increasing life expectancy is having a profound impact on how societies all over the world plan for retirement. It shows how this changing financial landscape is impacting on people’s expectations and aspirations for later life. Based on a global survey spanning the Americas, Europe, Asia, and Australia.

As many are still recovering from the Great Recession, this survey report compares and contrasts the retirement outlook of workers in their Twenties, Thirties, Forties, Fifties, and Sixties and older, and it sheds light on how they can navigate the future and improve their retirement outlook.

Describes how employers continuing to recover from what is commonly referred to as the Great Recession and its after-effects. The research report offers a wide range of employer perspectives about their businesses, their specific retirement benefit offerings and plan features, and perceptions of their employees’ retirement preparations.

A short report highlighting women's unique retirement risks. It is based on findings from the 15th Annual Transamerica Retirement Survey. It offers comparisons of women and men. 

Baby Boomer Workers Are Revolutionizing Retirement: Are Their Employers Ready? explores how Baby Boomer workers are envisioning their transition to retirement and finds a major disconnect with employers' business practices.

This report seeks to answer one basic question: what steps should women take now to achieve a secure and comfortable retirement in the future? It is based on a global retirement survey across 15 countries spanning the Americas, Europe, Asia, and Australia.

A short report outlining five ways in which employers with their retirement plan advisors and providers, along with workers, can improve their retirement benefit offerings. 

Amid the prolonged hangover of the Great Recession, this research report sheds light on the state of retirement preparedness among Generation X at a time when they are at great risk, but often overshadowed by Baby Boomers and Millennials in news headlines.

An examination of retirement preparedness of American workers that offers perspectives on retirement confidence, access to employer-sponsored retirement benefits, savings rates, and planning-related activities. Provides 5-year trend analysis and demographic segmentation analyses by employer size, generation, gender, household income, level of education, and race/ethnicity.

A survey report that illustrates how Millennial workers are not only recovering from the Great Recession, but they are also getting an impressive head start in saving and planning for their future retirement. 

This research examines people’s ambitions and fears about retirement in the aftermath of the global financial crisis. Based on a global retirement survey, the report sheds light on what comes to people’s minds when they think about their retirement amid a chorus of societal messages to take more personal responsibility for funding their retirement.

This survey report contemplates the evolving retirement landscape and how today’s workers are facing a retirement that will be very different than their parents. In fact, the landscape is changing so rapidly, the retirements of Baby Boomers, Generation X, and Millennials will be very different from each other's.

An extensive literature review and a focused analysis on how framing effects, financial literacy, self-control, and loss aversion affect pension decisions.

This research connects Americans’ dreams of traveling in retirement and the need to financially prepare for travel as part of a healthy aging process. Although Americans aspire to travel and are beginning to recognize the physical and mental benefits of traveling, they are not saving sufficiently to make these goals a reality.

The Young, Pragmatic and Penniless Generation describes how twentysomethings have the will to save for retirement, but they lack the income to save amid unprecedented financial challenges. The report is based on a retirement survey spanning 12 countries around the world.

On October 2, 2013, Catherine Collinson testified before the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Small Business. The purpose of the hearing was to examine the state of retirement savings for small employers, the barriers they face in offering plans, and options for expanding coverage.

These reports examine small businesses and their retirement benefit offerings, if any, and offer a 5-year trend analysis. They identify ways to expand retirement plan coverage and implement plan features to enhance retirement security. 

This survey report examines the negative impacts of unemployment and underemployment on workers' retirement savings. It sheds light on ways for them to get back on track and improve their long-term prospects.

This survey report provides trend data and comparisons of workers' retirement preparations and outlook by age, gender, generation, household income, employer size, and access to workplace retirement benefits.

This research explores the expectations and preparations of workers to identify who are at greater likelihood of achieving retirement readiness. In doing so, it uncovers a hidden cohort of everyday people who are "power planners."

This global survey of workers and retirees finds that retirement readiness has declined. For many people, retirement expectations have been replaced with expectations of working longer and a phased retirement. 

This research sheds light on women's retirement-related risks and how they can take action to improve their retirement preparedness. 

In the wake of the Great Recession, Transamerica Center for Retirement Studies created this infographic to raise awareness among Baby Boomers to increase their focus on saving, investing, and planning for retirement.

This multi-year trend analysis examines the U.S. retirement system, employer-sponsored retirement benefits, and workers' savings rates before, during, and in the wake of the Great Recession. It offers recommendations for policymakers.

As the economy slowly recovers from the Great Recession, The13th Annual Transamerica Retirement Survey of Employers finds many remain cautious about making any changes to employee benefits, whether positive or negative. 

This research examines factors shaping the retirement plans employers offer, and to what extent their employees value them. Based on a survey of workers across 9 countries and in-depth interviews with employers, the report provides detailed recommendations enhancing workplace retirement benefits.

The Great Recession resulted in high levels of unemployment. Findings from a survey of unemployed and underemployed workers illustrate how their situation could lead to a devastating impact on their future retirement.

As countries around the world were recovering from the financial crisis that began in 2008, this research aims to understand prevailing attitudes about retirement planning and personal expectations among the current working generation within eight European countries, as well as the United States.

This report provides an in-depth examination of the retirement preparedness among U.S. workers. It includes a multi-year trend analysis and demographic segmentation analysis by employer size, household income, age, gender, educational attainment, and race/ethnicity.

Transamerica Center for Retirement Studies proposes a new definition of 'retirement readiness' to reflect workers' expectations amid the evolving retirement landscape.

This report examines women's retirement outlook by age range, offers actionable insights, and makes recommendations to help women of all ages to improve their retirement outlook.

This research report examines the defining characteristics and retirement readiness of 'future early retirees,' a cohort of workers who plan to retire before age 65.

An in-depth report featuring multi-year trend analysis of employers' attitudes, commitment, and offering of retirement benefits and plan features. It sheds light on their experience before, during, and in the wake of the Great Recession.

For the first time since the Great Recession began, rising employer confidence is accompanied by an increase in enhancements to retirement benefits as well as reinstatement of benefits that had been suspended. However, small employers continue to struggle to provide retirement benefits compared with their larger counterparts.

Survey findings illustrate the negative impact of unemployment or underemployment during the Great Recession. Many unemployed and underemployed workers tapped their savings, went into debt, and took withdrawals from their retirement accounts to make ends meet.

A research report revealing that the retirement strategy among many American workers is simply to not retire or to continue working considerably longer than the traditional retirement age of 65. 

A worker's level of education influences their employment opportunities, compensation and benefits, and even their future retirement. This report examines workers' retirement expectations, access to workplace retirement benefits, and savings-related behaviors.

Women's retirement confidence has been shaken by the Great Recession. This report illustrates the challenges faced by women and how their current attitudes, actions, and inactions could unwittingly intensify their retirement-related risks. 

This report provides multi-year trend analysis and demographic segmentation analysis by workers' employer size, access to retirement benefits, age range, gender, household income, level of education, and race/ethnicity. 

As the country recovers from the Great Recession, this report examines employers' expectations of the economy, retirement benefit offerings, and perceptions of employee engagement in retirement planning.

The Great Recession is dampening the retirement outlook of both women and men, but it has been far worse for women. This report examines women's retirement expectations, preparations, and outlook.

This report compares and contrasts the retirement expectations, preparations, and outlook of workers in their twenties, thirties, forties, fifties, and aged 60-plus. Each age range cohort has unique opportunities to improve their retirement outlook and there are opportunities shared by all.

This report provides in-depth perspectives about employers' retirement benefit offerings with comparisons between large and small companies. It also includes a multi-year trend analysis before and during the Great Recession.

A multi-year trend analysis before and during the Great Recession about workers' changing retirement-related attitudes, expectations, and preparations. The report includes demographic comparisons by employer size, gender, generation, household income, and level of education.

This survey captures workers' changing attitudes, expectations, and retirement preparations amid the Great Recession. 

Amid the Great Recession's deep declines in the financial markets, Catherine Collinson testified on behalf of Transamerica Center for Retirement Studies as an expert witness at a hearing convened by the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Small Business.

This report spotlights the challenges that single women encounter in saving and planning for a secure retirement.

This report includes a multi-year trend analysis revealing workers' retirement outlook is faltering in the years leading up to the Great Recession. It offers demographic comparisons by employer size, gender, generation, household income, and level of education.

This report illustrates how American workers are stretched and their retirement confidence has declined at the onset of the Great Recession, the worst recession since the Great Depression of the 1930s.