Childless Americans Trail Parents by 20 Points in Retirement Confidence, Allianz Study Finds
Updated
Updated · Benefits and Pensions Monitor · Aug 21
Childless Americans Trail Parents by 20 Points in Retirement Confidence, Allianz Study Finds
3 articles · Updated · Benefits and Pensions Monitor · Aug 21
Summary
52% of Americans without children said they feel confident about saving for retirement, versus 72% of parents in Allianz Life’s 2026 retirement survey.
71% of childless adults said rising living costs could keep them from enjoying retirement, and 61% said they cannot even think about retirement saving because they are covering day-to-day expenses.
62% of childless Americans lack a written financial plan, compared with 42% of parents, reinforcing Allianz’s view that not having children does not automatically produce better saving habits.
19.9% of childless adults have a will, and more than 70% have completed no legal planning documents, highlighting broader financial-preparedness gaps beyond retirement accounts.
47% of adults under 50 said in a Pew survey they are unlikely ever to have children, suggesting the retirement-planning shortfall could affect a growing share of Americans.