Despite the Alarming News Headlines, Half of Americans Say They're Financially Secure. Every Generation Reported an Improvement From Last Year Despite a steady drumbeat of alarming economic headlines, a new Northwestern Mutual study finds that about half of Americans consider themselves financially secure, and every generation reported an improvement from last year. Financial discipline is on the rise. The share of Americans who see themselves as financially disciplined climbed to 53% from 49% the year before, a sign that habits may be strengthening even in an uncertain environment. Retirement anxiety still lingers. Nearly half of respondents worry they could outlive their savings, and 41% expect to keep working in some capacity during retirement. Housing optimism jumped among younger groups. Among non-homeowners, Gen Z optimism about buying rose from 42% to 54%, and millennials climbed from 34% to 47%, while Gen X and boomers slipped slightly. Three out of four adults still believe owning a home is important for building wealth, and 74% of parents plan to help their children buy one. John Roberts, Northwestern Mutual's Chief Field Officer, framed the results around consistency, noting that financial security does not happen overnight and comes from making steady decisions over time and sticking to good habits even when the economy feels shaky. The report, part of the firm's 2026 Planning and Progress Study, suggests that many households feel they are making real progress toward their goals despite inflation, high living costs and broader uncertainty.