About 80% of 40s and 50s, and 60% of those under 30 feel anxious about retirement! Comprehensive survey reveals generational differences in retirement fund concerns and preparedness

How prepared are working-age individuals for retirement finances?

While inflation continues to rise, many people feel uncertain about the future of pension benefits.

In this context, how do working-age individuals view their retirement finances, and how prepared are they actually?

Some may feel retirement is 'still far off,' while others may feel anxious about not preparing now. In reality, how many people are concerned about retirement funds, and what preparations are they making?

Therefore, in collaboration with Future Design Lab, Inc.—a consulting firm specializing in corporate defined-contribution pension plan implementation—we conducted a survey targeting 300 men and women aged 20 to 50 across Japan, focusing on their 'concerns and actual preparations regarding retirement funds.'

※When citing this press release, please adhere to the following:

・Clearly state the source as 'a survey conducted by NEXER Group Inc. and Future Design Lab, Inc., a corporate defined-contribution pension implementation support, HR, and consulting firm.'

・Include a link to Future Design Lab, Inc. (https://dc.futuredesignlab.jp/)

Survey Overview: 'Survey on Concerns and Preparedness Regarding Retirement Funds'

Survey Method: Online questionnaire

Survey Period: June 9, 2026 – June 16, 2026

Target Respondents: Men and women aged 20–50 across Japan

Valid Responses: 300 samples (100 each for under 30s, 40s, and 50s)

Survey Questions:

Question 1: Do you feel anxious about your retirement living expenses?

Question 2: Please explain your reasons.

Question 3: How much money do you think you will need for retirement?

Question 4: How much do you actually expect to save for retirement?

Question 5: Do you ever feel you 'should have started preparing for retirement earlier'?

Question 6: Please explain your reasons.

Question 7: Are you currently doing anything to prepare for retirement funds?

Question 8: Please select all actions you are taking to prepare for retirement funds. (Multiple answers allowed)

Question 9: Are there any new actions you would like to start for retirement fund preparation?

Question 10: Please select all new actions you would like to start for retirement fund preparation. (Multiple answers allowed)

※Percentages are rounded to two decimal places, so totals may not add up to exactly 100%.

About 80% of 40s and 50s, and about 60% of those under 30, say they 'feel anxious' about retirement living expenses

First, we asked respondents by generation whether they feel anxious about retirement living expenses.

The proportion of people who answered 'feel strongly' or 'somewhat feel' anxious was 57.0% among those under 30, 75.0% among 40s, and 78.0% among 50s. A clear trend shows increasing anxiety about retirement funds with advancing age.

Notably, the percentage of respondents who answered 'feel strongly' was 32.0% among those under 30, compared to 54.0% among 50s—over half. This suggests that as retirement approaches, financial anxiety shifts from vague concern to a more realistic and pressing issue.

Where does this anxiety about retirement funds come from?

We asked those who expressed anxiety to explain their reasons; some responses are highlighted below.

Reasons for feeling anxious about retirement funds:

・My salary is low, and financial support seems to only go to people raising children, who are being favored. (Female, 20s)

・Future pension amounts are uncertain, and with rising prices and medical costs, there's a risk my retirement living expenses will fall short. (Male, 30s)

・It's unclear how long I'll live or how much money I'll need. (Female, 40s)

・I'm only covered by the National Pension (basic pension), so the pension I receive won't be enough to live on. (Male, 40s)

・I'll lose income, prices seem likely to rise further, and burdens like medical expenses will probably increase. (Female, 50s)

・There's a risk of outliving my savings. (Male, 50s)

By generation, those under 30 expressed concerns about 'low income' and 'uncertainty about future pension amounts.'

Among 40s, concerns focused on the unpredictability of retirement funds—'how long I'll live' and 'how much I'll need.' Among 50s, concerns became more pronounced regarding post-retirement income reduction, rising prices, medical costs, and financial shortfalls due to longevity.

The most common amount people think they'll need for retirement is '20 million to under 30 million yen,' while the amount they expect to save is 'up to 10 million yen'

Next, we asked respondents by generation how much they think they'll need for retirement and how much they actually expect to save.

First, regarding the amount people think they'll need for retirement, '20 million to under 30 million yen' was the most common response across all generations. This was selected by 24.0% of those under 30, 29.0% of 40s, and 33.0% of 50s—showing an increasing proportion with age.

Next, we examined the amount people expect to actually save.

The most common response across all generations was 'up to 10 million yen.'

This was selected by 46.0% of those under 30, 55.0% of 40s, and 49.0% of 50s.

What emerges is a clear gap between the amount people think they'll need for retirement and the amount they expect to save. While people have a rough idea of how much they'll need, many lack a clear path to actually accumulate that amount.

53.0% of 40s said they 'wish they had started preparing earlier' for retirement funds

Next, we asked by generation whether people ever feel they 'should have started preparing for retirement earlier.'

Those in their 40s had the highest proportion expressing this sentiment.

The percentage answering 'yes' was 53.0% among 40s, surpassing 34.0% among those under 30 and 41.0% among 50s.

What specific regrets do they have?

We asked those who answered 'yes' to explain their reasons; some responses are highlighted below.

Reasons for feeling 'I should have started earlier':

・The earlier you start, the more you can save. (Male, 20s)

・I wish I had started investing when I was single. (Female, 30s)

・If I had prepared earlier, I could have comfortably saved the minimum necessary amount. (Male, 40s)

・I wish I had started the NISA investment plan earlier... (Female, 40s)

・If I had started asset management earlier, my current savings would be significantly different. (Male, 50s)

・Starting savings and asset management early helps prepare for a more comfortable retirement. (Female, 50s)

By generation, those under 30 mentioned 'starting early makes saving easier' and 'I should have started investing while single,' indicating growing awareness of the importance of early asset formation.

Among 40s, the sentiment 'I should have acted sooner to prepare for necessary retirement funds' was prominent. Among 50s, there was a sense that earlier asset management would have led to significantly higher current savings.