65% of households have delayed a major purchase or expense in the past year
About 65% of middle-income Americans say their income is falling behind the cost of living, a figure that has remained stable since 2023. Notably, 66% say they feel behind compared to where they thought they would be at this stage of life, underscoring the importance of making thoughtful adjustments to stay aligned with long-term goals.
“Many families are taking a closer look at their finances and asking how they can find the money to stay on track,” said
Additional key findings from Primerica’s Q1 2026 U.S. Middle-Income Financial Security Monitor™ (FSM™) Survey:
- Rising costs continue to shape financial outlook: A strong majority of middle-income Americans expect prices to keep climbing, with 80% anticipating higher gas prices in the next six months (up from 57% in the previous survey). In addition, 75% expect grocery prices to rise and 78% expect utility costs to increase.
- Deferring major expenses is becoming the norm: Nearly two-thirds (65%) of middle-income households say they delayed a major purchase or expense in the past year, signaling a shift from short-term budgeting to longer-term deferral of critical needs.
- Households are postponing essential needs: Among those who delayed expenses, more than half (53%) postponed home repairs or improvements, 43% delayed non-emergency medical or dental procedures, and 39% put off buying or replacing a vehicle — decisions that could lead to higher costs down the road.
- Many feel unable to save: More than two-thirds (69%) of middle-income Americans rate their ability to save for the future negatively, and 61% do not believe they are saving enough for retirement.
- Debt continues to weigh on household finances: More than half (56%) of middle-income Americans are currently paying down credit card debt, and the same share report that they typically carry a balance rather than paying it off in full each month.
- Tax refunds may present a critical financial lifeline: More than half (57%) of respondents expect to receive a tax refund this year. Among those who do, 38% plan to use it to pay down debt, 32% to build savings, and 30% to cover bills, highlighting how refunds are often used to stabilize day-to-day finances rather than on discretionary spending.
| Mar | Dec | Sept | Jun | Mar | Dec | Sept | Jun | Mar | ||
How would you rate the condition of your personal finances? | |||||||||||
Share reporting “Excellent” or “Good.” | 48% | 45% | 46% | 46% | 48% | 45% | 44% | 49% | 50% | ||
Analysis: Respondents’ assessments of their personal finances have remained the same over the past year. | |||||||||||
Overall, would you say your income is…? | |||||||||||
Share reporting “Falling behind the cost of living” | 65% | 68% | 69% | 65% | 69% | 65% | 68% | 66% | 67% | ||
Share reporting “Stayed about even with the cost of living” | 25% | 22% | 24% | 23% | 29% | 24% | 26% | 25% | 24% | ||
Analysis: Concern about meeting the increased cost of living has decreased slightly over the past year. | |||||||||||
And in the next year, do you think the American economy will be…? | |||||||||||
Share reporting “Worse off than it is now” | 56% | 59% | 63% | 61% | 76% | 55% | 25% | 40% | 46% | ||
Share reporting “Uncertain” | 7% | 6% | 6% | 4% | 4% | 9% | 34% | 19% | 18% | ||
Analysis: The share of respondents expecting the economy to worsen over the next year has declined significantly over the past year. | |||||||||||
Do you have an emergency fund that would cover an expense of | |||||||||||
Reporting “Yes” responses | 62% | 62% | 58% | 60% | 64% | 59% | 61% | 63% | 62% | ||
Analysis: The percentage of Americans who have an emergency fund that would cover an expense of | |||||||||||
How would you rate the economic health of your community? | |||||||||||
Reporting “Not so good” and “Poor” responses | 59% | 63% | 59% | 59% | 66% | 63% | 63% | 58% | 60% | ||
Analysis: Respondents’ rating of the economic health of their communities has improved over the past year. | |||||||||||
How would you rate your ability to save for the future? | |||||||||||
Reporting “Not so good” and “Poor” responses | 69% | 70% | 73% | 71% | 71% | 71% | 73% | 68% | 67% | ||
Analysis: A significant majority continue to feel it is difficult to save for the future. | |||||||||||
In the past three months, has your credit card debt…? | |||||||||||
Reporting “Increased” responses | 31% | 31% | 34% | 31% | 31% | 34% | 35% | 30% | 34% | ||
Analysis: Credit card debt has remained the same over the past year. | |||||||||||
About Primerica’s
Polling was conducted online from
About
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260408995111/en/
Media Contact
678-431-9266
Email: Gana.Ahn@primerica.com
Investor Contact
470-564-6663
Email: Nicole.Russell@primerica.com
Source: