Key Takeaways
- • A Goldco-sponsored study conducted by Money.com found that 66.1% of retirement savers, roughly 2 in 3, say they are more focused on protecting existing wealth than they were a few years ago.
- • Cost of living (69.5%) and inflation (67.6%) are the top issues shaping retirement savers' money management, far outranking high interest rates (31.0%) and stock market volatility (28.4%).
- • Gold is the only asset category in the survey where planned future use (12.1%) exceeds current ownership (7.7%), with another 19.8% of respondents undecided.
- • Respondents cite stability during uncertainty (51.1%), long-term value preservation (50.3%), diversification (46.0%) and inflation protection (46.0%) as reasons to consider gold.
Summary
A nationwide report released by Goldco and Money.com on November 13, 2026 indicates that a significant majority of Americans nearing or in retirement are shifting priorities from wealth accumulation toward wealth preservation. According to the study, 66.1% of retirement savers say they are more focused on protecting existing wealth today than they were a few years ago. The report notes that many of these savers still balance that desire for protection with a continued need for growth and diversification.
The survey identifies the cost of living (69.5%) and inflation (67.6%) as the dominant pressures on how retirement savers manage their money, well ahead of high interest rates (31.0%) and stock market volatility (28.4%). Cash remains a dominant holding among respondents, according to the report, though interest in physical gold is expected to grow as savers seek tangible ways to preserve purchasing power.
On gold specifically, 7.7% of retirement savers currently hold physical gold or precious metals, while 12.1% plan to use gold as part of their long-term strategy. Gold is the only asset category tested in which planned future use exceeds current holdings. An additional 19.8% reported being undecided. Respondents' top reasons for considering gold were stability during economic uncertainty (51.1%), long-term value preservation (50.3%), portfolio diversification (46.0%) and inflation protection (46.0%).
The study surveyed 1,400 U.S. adults aged 45 and older who hold at least one retirement account or plan, such as a 401(k), 403(b), IRA, pension or annuity. Respondents who personally bought or sold investments weekly or more often were excluded, and quotas were applied across age, employment status and account type. Analysis was conducted at the 95% confidence level. Goldco founder Trevor Gerszt said the findings highlight "a critical turning point for retirement savers across the country." Goldco, a privately held precious metals provider, sponsored the research, and the full report is available on the company's website. Because the study was sponsored by a precious metals seller, its findings should be read with that commercial interest in mind.
The survey identifies the cost of living (69.5%) and inflation (67.6%) as the dominant pressures on how retirement savers manage their money, well ahead of high interest rates (31.0%) and stock market volatility (28.4%). Cash remains a dominant holding among respondents, according to the report, though interest in physical gold is expected to grow as savers seek tangible ways to preserve purchasing power.
On gold specifically, 7.7% of retirement savers currently hold physical gold or precious metals, while 12.1% plan to use gold as part of their long-term strategy. Gold is the only asset category tested in which planned future use exceeds current holdings. An additional 19.8% reported being undecided. Respondents' top reasons for considering gold were stability during economic uncertainty (51.1%), long-term value preservation (50.3%), portfolio diversification (46.0%) and inflation protection (46.0%).
The study surveyed 1,400 U.S. adults aged 45 and older who hold at least one retirement account or plan, such as a 401(k), 403(b), IRA, pension or annuity. Respondents who personally bought or sold investments weekly or more often were excluded, and quotas were applied across age, employment status and account type. Analysis was conducted at the 95% confidence level. Goldco founder Trevor Gerszt said the findings highlight "a critical turning point for retirement savers across the country." Goldco, a privately held precious metals provider, sponsored the research, and the full report is available on the company's website. Because the study was sponsored by a precious metals seller, its findings should be read with that commercial interest in mind.
Go deeper than the headline
Research every firm in this story, track the ones that matter and get the daily briefing — free for 7 days.