A long-running survey, polling people still working and those who have already stopped found that while 64 percent are confident they have the funds<\/a> to live a comfortable retirement, that number is down six points in only a year.<\/p>\n The rising concerns in both workers and retirees are centered on one major issue: Social Security<\/a>. Around half of workers and 40 percent of retirees believe it won\u2019t \u201ccontinue to provide benefits of equal value in the future,\u201d the Employee Benefit Research Institute and Greenwald Research survey reported Tuesday.<\/p>\n The U.S. Social Security system, which Americans pay into during their working lives to then later draw from in retirement, <\/a>will be severely depleted by 2032, the Congressional Budget Office reported in<\/a> February. Fewer workers supporting the system and an aging U.S. population pulling money out has drained large amounts from the fund. <\/p>\n It means payments could drop by as much as 20 to 25 percent, Nick St. George, owner of North Carolina-based St. George Wealth Management, told The Independent in an email. A 25 percent drop would decrease the average Social Security payment from $2,071<\/a> to $1,553.<\/p>\n Social Security\u2019s delicate situation puts those nearing retirement in the next decade in a tough spot. They may have estimated their retirement needs based on typical Social Security payments until now and not reduced disbursements in 2032 and beyond. <\/p>\n Other financial concerns plague workers and retirees, according to the new survey. Nearly 60 percent of workers say health care costs are limiting their ability to save for retirement. And some 40 percent of retirees say their health care expenses are higher than what they anticipated. <\/p>\n The concerns are valid – retirement medical bills are hefty. The average retiree will spend $172,500<\/a> on healthcare costs during their golden years, according to a 2025 study<\/a> from healthcare research, polling and data firm KFF. <\/p>\n![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/GettyImages-2228235691.jpg\")
The average retiree will spend $172,500 on healthcare costs during their golden years, according to a July 2025 study from healthcare research, polling and data firm KFF (Getty Images)<\/p>\n