Research shows that 40s are a "pivot point." While two-thirds of men and over half of women in middle age make standard retirement plans, over one in five have delayed their planning. (The 40s are widely recognized as a "pivot point" for retirement planning, acting as a turning point where individuals often transition from just saving to actively planning their future. While a significant portion of middle-aged individuals make standard retirement plans, a substantial minority has delayed this crucial process.)

According to 2025/2026 retirement readiness studies, the primary obstacles reported are a lack of awareness (36%) regarding how much to save and insufficient income (30%) to set aside funds.