WASHINGTON –The American Council of Life Insurers (ACLI) today released the latest Financial Resilience Index and accompanying survey, which measures middle-class households’ ability to manage financial challenges and plan for a stable future.

The survey, conducted by YouGov, found that retirement readiness has become the defining measure of financial success for middle-class Americans. One in four (25%) middle-class households identified having enough retirement savings to retire at their desired age and lifestyle as the goal that would most make them feel financially successful. This view was particularly pronounced among older middle-class generations, with 35% of both Gen X and Baby Boomers citing retirement readiness as their measure of financial success. However, these findings come on the heels of ACLI’s most recent survey, released in April, which found that 46% of middle-class Americans lack confidence in their retirement savings.

"Retirement security is the north star for middle-class financial success," said David Chavern, President & CEO of ACLI. “That said, many Americans are facing financial headwinds and lack confidence in their retirement readiness. With this in mind, it’s clear that annuities and comprehensive life insurance solutions play a crucial role in helping families transform accumulated assets into protected, dependable retirement income."

Financial Resilience Strengthens, But Headwinds Remain

The Financial Resilience Index reached 21.4 in the first quarter of 2026, up 6.4 points from the prior quarter and 11.4 points year-over-year. This marks the second consecutive quarterly increase and signals accelerating improvements in middle-class financial well-being.  Solid resource growth remains a key driver of middle-class resilience with the ‘Retirement Readiness’ and ‘Access to Capital’ subcomponents both gradually improving over the past year due to steady growth in asset values.

However, these gains come alongside an underlying anxiety: nearly half of middle-class households (48%) cite high inflation and rising prices as their top concern affecting financial security over the next 1-3 years. An additional 19% worry that wages are not keeping up with inflation, and as of April 2026, inflation exceeded wage growth for the first time since 2023, signaling renewed pressure on household budgets after months of relative stability.

These cost pressures are also manifesting themselves in how middle-class Americans view financial success. After retirement, the most cited indicator of financial success was becoming debt free, at 18%, ahead of a number of other potential milestones like affording major purchases without strain (10%), earning at least $150,000 (9%), and buying a home (8%).

Overall, while the Q1 data is encouraging, recent economic developments present near-term risks. Rising energy prices, driven in part by geopolitical factors, could contribute to broader cost pressures in coming months and potentially erode the resilience gains reflected in the latest index.

About the Financial Resilience Index

ACLI’s Financial Resilience Index, which is released quarterly, measures the ability of the middle-class to manage life’s challenges and plan for a stable future. The index tracks 26 different variables that represent typical cost pressures for middle-class households (like housing, gas and childcare) and the financial resources that are available to meet them (like income, access to credit and retirement assets). By tracking the direction and magnitude of cost pressures and resources, the index reflects how middle-class financial resilience changes over time, and what is driving improvement or decline.

About the Financial Resilience Survey

ACLI’s Financial Resilience Survey is a nationally representative survey conducted by YouGov on behalf of ACLI, as a complement to the Financial Resilience Index. The survey explores how middle-class respondents understand their own financial resilience by asking questions about economic mobility, financial stressors, financial stability, and safety nets. The quarterly survey consists of two questions about financial resilience, one recurring question that will be asked at the same time each year and one that will vary within the larger theme of middle-class financial health, stress, and resilience. Respondents of all household income levels respond to the survey, with reporting focused on middle-class respondents – those earning $50,000-$150,000 in annual household income.

ACLI’s latest Financial Resilience Survey was conducted online within the United States by YouGov on behalf of ACLI from May 1 – 6, 2026 among 3,721 adults ages 18 and older. The survey sample includes 1,450 respondents from middle-class households as well as 1,510 respondents from lower-income households and 332 respondents from upper-income households. The report and related materials only highlight comparisons between subgroups that are statistically significant. For complete survey methodology, including weighting variables and subgroup sample sizes, please contact ACLI.

For more information about both the index and the survey please visit: Financial Resilience Index.

About ACLI

The American Council of Life Insurers (ACLI) is the leading trade association driving public policy and advocacy on behalf of the life insurance industry. 90 million American families rely on the life insurance industry for financial protection and retirement security. ACLI’s member companies are dedicated to protecting consumers’ financial wellbeing through life insurance, annuities, retirement plans, long-term care insurance, disability income insurance, reinsurance, and dental, vision and other supplemental benefits. ACLI’s 275 member companies represent 94 percent of industry assets in the United States.