More than 36% of Americans with household incomes above $500,000 say they live paycheck to paycheck, according to Goldman Sachs Asset Management’s Retirement Survey and Insights Report 2026. This group’s financial strain is second only to households earning less than $50,000, where 60.8% reported the same. The findings highlight the growing challenge of managing expenses despite high earnings, the report revealed this week.
The report attributes this financial pressure to rising costs in housing, health care, education, caregiving, and everyday expenses that have outpaced wage growth for decades. Consumer prices have increased roughly 22% over the past five years, with gasoline prices up 27.4% year over year in August, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Median household income reached a record $87,460 in 2025, but many families still struggle to save amid rising costs, Goldman Sachs noted.
These findings underscore the broader economic challenge where even affluent households face competing financial demands. The report’s key insight is that the issue is no longer about participation in the economy but balancing multiple rising expenses. This dynamic affects financial security and retirement readiness across income levels, reflecting persistent inflationary pressures and stagnant wage growth relative to living costs.
Goldman Sachs’ Retirement Survey and Insights Report 2026 was released this week, providing detailed data on income groups and their financial behaviors amid current economic conditions.