Global Retirement Reality Report

What’s Inside

Retirement optimism is rising. But does that equal
readiness?
Discover how global retirement sentiment is evolving,
what retirement savers' biggest concerns are now — and how retirement providers can help.

Key Study Findings and Analysis

Dive into our proprietary research findings, which reveal the forces shaping saver sentiment, savings behaviors, income expectations, and more.

Retirement Readiness Opportunities

Turn findings into action with insights and strategies that can help support savers and potentially deliver better retirement outcomes.

Global Shifts and Impact

Discover how economic, structural, and behavioral trends are reshaping retirement systems worldwide — and the foundational role retirement providers play.

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Regional Retirement Snapshots

Australia

Retirement optimism in Australia is higher than global peers, but a gender gap persists as do concerns about retirement income.

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Canada

Though a bit more optimistic than 2023, Canadians’ retirement confidence lags global peers. Explore why and what may help.

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Ireland

Retirement optimism in Ireland has increased from 2023 but optimism doesn’t equal preparedness. How can DC schemes help?

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United Kingdom

UK retirement optimism remains low compared to global peers. What can DC plans do now to help build greater confidence?

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United States

Retirement optimism in the US held steady, so why are more participants questioning if they can retire when they want?

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About the Global Retirement Reality Report

Our annual online survey, conducted by international data analytics firm YouGov between March and April 2025, engaged a total of 4,371 respondents in Australia, Canada, Ireland, the UK, and the US.

4,371

Engaged respondents in Australia, Canada, Ireland, the UK, and the US

More Respondent Details

Quick Quiz

What is the top factor that boosts retirement confidence?

Employment security

Carrying little or no short-term debt

Having a financial plan

Emergency savings

Correct! Carrying little or no-short term debt was the top confidence booster, cited by 41% of respondents.

Sorry, that was incorrect. Carrying little or no-short term debt was the top confidence booster, cited by 41% of respondents.

Research Trends in Retirement Confidence

How have respondent views and behaviors changed? Dig into our prior retirement research to review the trends.

2024 Global Retirement Reality Report – US Snapshot

The 2024 Global Retirement Reality Report reflects an evolving view of retirement by US savers, but key concerns around readiness remain.

Read 2024 Report

Regaining Retirement Confidence in a Post-Pandemic Environment

Our global retirement research tracks evolving sentiment on what retirement means for retirement plan participants

Read 2023 Report

The Retirement Prism: Seeing Now and Later

Our 2022 Global Retirement Reality Report shows how global savers are managing finances today with an eye toward a brave, new tomorrow.

Read 2022 Report

A New Leadership Era: Institutional Meets Individual

Our 2021 Global Retirement Reality Report research found that despite the relative financial security of our sample, everyone was strained by a year of upheaval. Employers who rose to the occasion bypassed the public’s heightened mistrust of government and media and are signaling the dawn of a new leadership era.

Read 2021 Report

The New Retirement Straits

Our 2020 Global Retirement Reality Report explores how a global pandemic shapes saver sentiment.

Read 2020 Report

Disclosures

GR3

What’s Inside

Key Study Findings and Analysis

Retirement Readiness Opportunities

Global Shifts and Impact

Regional Retirement Snapshots

About the Global Retirement Reality Report

Research Trends in Retirement Confidence