About Transamerica Center for Retirement Studies

Transamerica Center for Retirement Studies® (TCRS) is an operating division of Transamerica Institute®, a nonprofit, private foundation that is dedicated to educating the public on trends, issues, and opportunities related to saving and planning for retirement and achieving financial security in retirement. TCRS engages with the American public through a comprehensive website, publishing of research findings and actionable advice through media articles, and collaborating with industry groups and organizations who share a similar passion for improving the retirement outlook for all. TCRS also contributes to grassroots education by appearing in articles throughout the country’s community papers and radio stations.

TCRS’s research and outreach is based on the premise that there is no such thing as an “average American” – and that every demographic has the opportunity to improve their retirement security. TCRS is propelled by the certainty that each person also has the ability to take charge of their own financial futures through education, engagement and ultimately proactive saving and investing behaviors. It is focused on uncovering best practices for educating and affecting positive change among the American public to help achieve greater levels of financial security in retirement.

TCRS conducts an Annual Retirement Survey, one of the largest independent studies of its kind. The survey emphasizes savings trends, attitudes and behaviors among American workers and segments within the population, as well as retirees. It also tracks employers, their company-sponsored retirement plans and their participating employees, as well as the implications of legislative and regulatory changes. The 22nd Annual Transamerica Retirement Survey polled a nationally representative sample of more than 10,000 people in late 2021.

The Annual Retirement Survey was launched in 1998; TCRS was officially founded in 2002 to expand the survey; and, in 2007, it was incorporated as a nonprofit corporation and private foundation. In 2013 Transamerica Institute was created to broaden the scope of the foundation and Transamerica Center for Retirement Studies became an operating division of Transamerica Institute. 

Transamerica Institute is funded by contributions from Transamerica Life Insurance Company and its affiliates.

Catherine Collinson
Catherine Collinson

CEO and President