A new survey conducted by The Harris Poll on behalf of the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA) reveals that Americans are entering 2026 with strong financial aspirations, but many of these goal setters worry that economic challenges could interfere with those goals.
Half (50%) of Americans with 2026 financial goals fear cost of living increases (e.g., housing, groceries, utilities), could keep them from achieving those goals. Other obstacles include unexpected expenses (e.g., medical bills, car or home repairs) (41%), job/income loss or uncertainty (26%), and higher interest rates (21%).
“Americans are determined to take control of their finances in 2026, but the reality of rising costs means planning and flexibility are more important than ever,” says Pamela Ladd, CPA/PFS, AICPA’s Senior Manager of Personal Financial Planning. “Defining your goals, choosing sustainable steps and getting help from online resources or a CPA professional can help consumers stick to their goals.”
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Key Findings:
- 92% of Americans have financial goals for 2026
- 77% say saving is among their financial goals for 2026, including saving for retirement (32%) and saving for a vacation (29%), while about a third say the same of paying down debt (e.g., credit card bills, student loans, medical debt) and investing (both 34%)
- Of those Americans who had financial goals in 2025, 81% say they did not stick to them
- 12% of Americans who have financial goals for 2026 say that not knowing how to get started might affect their ability to reach their financial goals in 2026
Challenges Ahead:
Among Americans who have 2026 financial goals, the top things that might keep them from reaching those goals are:
- 50% – rising cost of living (e.g., housing, groceries, utilities)
- 41% – unexpected expenses (e.g., medical bills, car or home repairs)
- 26% – job/income loss or uncertainty
- 21% – higher interest rates (making borrowing or debt repayment harder)
- 21% – feeling stressed or overwhelmed and putting goals on hold
- 18% – competing financial priorities (e.g., saving for retirement, kids, vacation, emergencies)
Generational Insights:
- Gen Z’s top financial goal for 2026 is saving for a car (41%)
- Millennials’ top financial goal for 2026 is saving for a vacation (36%)
- Gen Xers top financial goal for 2026 is saving for retirement (46%)
- Baby Boomers’ top financial goal for 2026 is paying down debt (e.g., credit card bills, student loans, medical debt) and investing (both 33%)
Optimism vs. Uncertainty:
- 42% of Americans feel that 2026 will be much better or somewhat better financially for them than 2025
- 34% of Americans feel that 2026 will not be any better or worse than 2025 for them financially
- 24% of Americans feel that 2026 will be worse or much worse financially for them than 2025
- Younger generations are more optimistic: 50% of Gen Z and 52% of Millennials feel that 2026 will be better or financially for them than 2025, compared to 29% of Baby Boomers
Lessons from Last Year:
- 82% of Americans had financial goals for 2025
- Among those with financial goals, rising costs of living was the top reason (36%) for falling short of 2025 financial goals
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Tags: AICPA, economy, financial goals, money, Payroll, personal finances
