A study sponsored by Goldco and conducted by Money.com reveals shifting strategies among Americans 45+, with gold emerging as the only asset class where planned future use exceeds current ownership.
LOS ANGELES, Nov. 13, 2026 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- A new nationwide report released by Goldco and Money.com reveals that a significant majority of Americans nearing or in retirement are shifting their financial priorities from wealth accumulation to wealth preservation in response to persistent economic pressures. According to the study, 66.1% of retirement savers—about 2 in 3—say they are more focused on protecting existing wealth today than they were a few years ago.
Despite widespread anxiety over rising living expenses, many retirement savers are balancing their desire for protection with a continued need for growth and diversification. The report highlights that cash remains a dominant holding, but interest in physical gold is poised to grow as savers look for tangible ways to preserve their purchasing power during economic uncertainty.
Key Findings Include:
- Inflation and Living Costs Weight Heaviest: The cost of living (69.5%) and inflation (67.6%) are the top issues shaping how retirement savers manage their money today, far outranking stock market volatility (28.4%) and high interest rates (31.0%).
- Gold Planned Use Exceeds Current Ownership: While 7.7% of retirement savers currently hold physical gold or precious metals, 12.1% plan to use gold as part of their long-term financial strategy. Gold was the only asset category tested in the survey where planned future use exceeds current holdings. Another 19.8% reported being undecided, representing a large segment actively weighing precious metals.
- Wealth Preservation Drives Gold Appeal: The top reasons respondents consider gold include stability during economic uncertainty (51.1%), long-term value preservation (50.3%), portfolio diversification (46.0%), and inflation protection (46.0%).
"This study highlights a critical turning point for retirement savers across the country," said Goldco Founder Trevor Gerszt. "As the data shows, Americans are recognizing the need for balance and more retirement savers are turning to physical gold to help safeguard their hard-earned purchasing power over the long haul."
To view the full report, visit https://goldco.com/retirement-protection/.
Methodology
Money.com surveyed 1,400 U.S. adults age 45 and older with retirement savings about wealth protection, growth, diversification and investment preferences.
Respondents were employed full time, self-employed or retired. Qualifying respondents needed to hold at least one type of retirement account or plan (such as a 401(k), 403(b), IRA, SEP/SIMPLE IRA, pension, annuity, or other retirement savings vehicle). Those with no retirement account were excluded. Respondents were also screened on trading behavior, and those who personally bought or sold investments weekly or more often were excluded. Quotas were applied across age, employment status and retirement account types. Analysis was conducted at the 95% confidence level.
About Goldco
Goldco is a privately held company with over a decade of experience in helping customers protect their retirement savings. Whether you want to diversify your retirement savings into a precious metals IRA or buy gold and silver directly, a Goldco specialist can help assist every step of the way. The company's long-standing reputation for excellent customer service, high ethical standards, along with precious metals education and resources position Goldco as a preferred precious metals provider. With over 8,000 5-star customer reviews, numerous awards and the highest industry buy back guarantee, Goldco has set the standard for buying precious metals.
Goldco is rated A+ by the Better Business Bureau and Triple A by Business Consumer Alliance.
About Money.com
Money was founded in 1972 as a print magazine and today reaches more than 50 million readers annually, including more than 700,000 daily newsletter readers. Money is part of Money Group, LLC, based in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Its editorial mission is to provide readers with unbiased insights into the best ways to manage their financial lives.
Media Contact
Chris Moschner, Goldco, 1 (855) 472-8494, [email protected], goldco.com
SOURCE Goldco
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