Gen Z fears AI will jeopardize retirement savings, survey shows

According to a new TIAA survey titled “Retirement In the Age of AI and GLP-1s,” 51% of Gen Z say AI endangers their retirement savings, outpacing the overall average by 11 points. The anxiety stems largely from fears that AI will reshape industries, potentially displacing jobs and lowering earnings, with 42% of Gen Z describing the threat as extreme or very serious, versus 33% of millennials and 28% of older cohorts. Longer life expectancy adds another layer of concern: 59% of Gen Z worry they will deplete their retirement accounts before death, and nearly half think traditional planning ignores extended lifespans.

TIAA CEO Thasunda Brown Duckett cautioned graduates that AI is rapidly redefining the economic landscape and advised young workers to “max out” 401(k) contributions from their first paycheck, emphasizing compounding benefits and the importance of maintaining an emergency fund. She reflected on her own experience at Fannie Mae in the 1990s, where early, aggressive saving set the foundation for financial security.