Lincoln Financial Research Finds Americans Turning Financial Stress Into Action
New research from Lincoln Financial indicates that financial stress remains a significant concern for Americans, but the findings also point to a more positive trend: many people are motivated to take action and improve their financial wellbeing.
According to Lincoln Financial’s latest research, more than half of Americans surveyed identify finances as either a leading or major source of stress. At the same time, 84% of respondents say they are motivated to improve their financial wellbeing or have already begun taking steps to do so.
The findings suggest that although financial pressures continue to affect households across the United States, Americans are not simply accepting those challenges. Instead, many are looking for practical ways to regain control of their financial futures and make meaningful progress toward their long-term goals.
The research comes as households continue to navigate concerns surrounding inflation, rising living costs and retirement income. These pressures can make it difficult for individuals to think beyond immediate financial needs and focus on longer-term objectives.
Lincoln Financial says the results demonstrate an opportunity to help consumers turn their motivation into concrete financial action.
Finances Remain a Major Source of Stress
Financial concerns continue to rank as the leading source of stress among Americans surveyed by Lincoln Financial, exceeding concerns related to work, health, relationships and current events.
The finding reflects the broad impact that financial uncertainty can have on individuals and households. People may be concerned about everyday expenses while simultaneously thinking about larger financial objectives, including retirement, emergency savings and maintaining their standard of living.
For many Americans, the pressure is not limited to a single financial issue. Rising prices can affect household budgets, while uncertainty about future income can make long-term planning more difficult.
Lincoln Financial’s research indicates that these concerns are having a measurable effect on how people manage their finances. Among respondents experiencing stress, 65% said that stress negatively affects their ability to manage their finances.
This creates what Lincoln describes as a “financial stress loop,” in which financial concerns contribute to stress, while that stress can make it more difficult to make effective financial decisions and take action.
Breaking that cycle may require more than simply encouraging people to save more or spend less. Individuals may also need practical guidance, accessible planning resources and greater confidence in their ability to make financial decisions.
Americans Want to Take Action
Despite the prevalence of financial stress, the research provides an encouraging indication that Americans remain focused on improving their financial situations.
The finding that 84% of respondents are either motivated to take action or have already started doing so suggests that financial stress has not eliminated people’s desire to plan for the future.
Instead, many consumers appear to be looking for ways to move from concern to action.
That transition can be challenging. People may understand that they need to improve their financial position but may be uncertain about where to begin. Others may have financial goals but struggle to connect those goals with specific steps they can take today.
Providing practical tools and guidance can help bridge that gap.
John Kennedy, executive vice president and chief distribution and brand officer at Lincoln Financial, said financial stress can cause people to focus heavily on immediate concerns and lose sight of longer-term goals.
“Financial stress has a way of pulling people into the immediacy of today and making it difficult to focus on tomorrow,” Kennedy said.
He added that the research is encouraging because Americans continue to demonstrate an interest in their futures and are willing to take action.
According to Kennedy, the challenge is converting that motivation into momentum by giving people practical guidance, straightforward tools and the confidence needed to take an initial step.
Inflation and Retirement Income Are Top Concerns
Lincoln Financial’s Consumer Sentiment Tracker also highlights the financial issues generating the greatest concern among Americans.
Inflation is one of the leading financial worries, along with keeping pace with rising costs of living and having sufficient income during retirement.
These concerns are closely connected.
Higher prices can make it more difficult for households to save and invest for long-term goals. At the same time, uncertainty about future expenses can make it harder to determine how much income will be needed during retirement.
For individuals approaching retirement, the question of whether their savings and other sources of income will be sufficient can become an increasingly important concern.
Retirement planning therefore involves more than determining an account balance. Consumers also need to consider how they expect to spend their time, what activities they want to pursue and what financial resources may be required to support those priorities.
Lincoln Financial’s research suggests that helping people connect financial planning with their personal aspirations could make the planning process more relevant and motivating.
Stress Can Affect Overall Wellbeing
The research also highlights the connection between financial stress and broader wellbeing.
Among Americans surveyed, 67% reported experiencing physical symptoms of stress.
That finding reinforces the idea that financial wellbeing cannot be viewed solely as a matter of income, savings or investments. Financial concerns can affect how individuals feel and function in their daily lives.
When financial stress becomes persistent, it can influence decision-making and make it harder for people to focus on long-term priorities.
The relationship between stress and financial management can also become cyclical. Financial uncertainty can create stress, and stress can make financial decisions more difficult. As a result, consumers may delay decisions or avoid planning altogether.
Helping people establish clear and achievable financial goals can potentially make the process less overwhelming.
Financial Professionals Can Play an Important Role
The research also identifies differences between people who work with financial professionals and the broader U.S. adult population.
While 54% of all U.S. adults surveyed identified finances as a primary or top stressor, that figure was lower among clients of financial professionals, at 44%.
The difference does not necessarily mean that working with a financial professional eliminates financial stress. However, it suggests that people who have access to professional financial guidance may experience or perceive financial concerns differently.
A financial professional can help individuals organize their financial priorities, evaluate their current position and develop a strategy for addressing long-term goals.
For consumers who are uncertain about where to begin, professional guidance can also provide accountability and help translate broad aspirations into specific financial decisions.
Introducing The Action Plan
The findings are central to Lincoln Financial’s “The Action Plan,” a campaign focused on helping Americans approach retirement planning from a broader perspective.
Rather than defining retirement planning exclusively around a specific savings target, the campaign encourages people to consider what they actually want their retirement years to look like.
That can include hobbies, travel, outdoor activities, time with family, personal interests and other experiences.
The concept reflects a more holistic approach to retirement planning. Instead of beginning with a number and working backward, individuals are encouraged to think about the life they want to live and then consider how their financial strategy can support those objectives.
This approach can make financial planning more personal.
For many people, the motivation to save and prepare for retirement may be stronger when financial goals are connected to tangible experiences. An individual may be more motivated to develop a retirement strategy when the goal is not simply accumulating a certain amount of money but being able to travel, spend time with family or pursue a long-standing passion.
Retirement Is Changing
Lincoln Financial’s campaign also reflects changing expectations around retirement.
Today’s pre-retirees are often active and may not view retirement as a period of simply slowing down. Many want to continue traveling, spending time with family, pursuing outdoor activities and exploring new interests.
These priorities can influence how people should think about retirement income and financial security.
Retirement planning needs to account for the possibility that people may remain active and continue spending money on experiences for many years after leaving the workforce.
By encouraging consumers to identify the activities and priorities that matter most, The Action Plan seeks to help individuals create financial plans that are aligned with their desired lifestyles.
Turning Financial Goals Into Practical Steps
A major theme emerging from the research is the importance of moving from intention to action.
Knowing that financial planning is important is different from actually beginning the process. Consumers may have goals such as reducing debt, increasing savings, investing more consistently or preparing for retirement, but taking the first step can sometimes feel difficult.
Lincoln Financial’s campaign aims to make that process more approachable by offering educational resources, planning tools and financial insights.
These resources are intended to help individuals better understand their options and build confidence as they work toward their goals.
The broader objective is to encourage people to take manageable steps rather than becoming overwhelmed by the idea of solving every financial issue at once.
Financial Wellbeing Is Becoming More Holistic
The latest research suggests that the conversation around financial wellbeing is evolving.
Financial wellbeing is increasingly being viewed as more than the size of a person’s bank account or retirement portfolio. It also includes confidence, preparedness, the ability to manage financial pressures and the capacity to pursue personal goals.
This broader perspective can be particularly important during periods of economic uncertainty.
When inflation and living costs remain major concerns, consumers may focus heavily on immediate expenses. However, long-term financial planning remains important even when short-term conditions are challenging.
Finding the balance between current financial needs and future aspirations can help individuals develop strategies that are both practical and meaningful.
The Role of Confidence in Financial Planning
Confidence is another important component of the research.
People may be motivated to improve their finances but still hesitate to act if they do not feel confident about the decisions they need to make.
Clear information and practical tools can help reduce some of that uncertainty.
Financial professionals can also help consumers evaluate their options and understand how different decisions may affect their broader financial plans.
By focusing on experiences and personal priorities, Lincoln Financial believes financial planning can become more relatable and easier for consumers to connect with their everyday lives.
Research Methodology
Lincoln Financial’s Consumer Sentiment Tracker surveys more than 1,000 U.S. adults each quarter to measure attitudes toward financial wellbeing, stress and financial decision-making.
The survey data is collected using the Qualtrics platform, with sample quotas designed to provide representation of the overall U.S. adult population.
The analysis discussed in the latest research is based on data collected in January and April 2026.
The survey provides insight into how Americans are currently thinking about financial stress and the actions they are taking to improve their financial outlook.
Moving From Stress to Progress
Lincoln Financial’s research presents a mixed but ultimately encouraging picture of financial wellbeing in the United States.
On one hand, financial concerns remain a major source of stress. Inflation, rising living costs and retirement income uncertainty continue to weigh on consumers, while a significant proportion of Americans report that stress affects their ability to manage their finances.
The physical impact of stress is also notable, with 67% of respondents reporting physical symptoms.
On the other hand, the majority of Americans surveyed are motivated to take action or have already begun doing so. The 84% figure suggests that consumers continue to believe they can improve their financial situations and take greater control of their futures.
That willingness to act creates an opportunity for financial institutions, financial professionals and consumers themselves to focus on practical solutions.
Lincoln Financial’s “The Action Plan” is designed around this opportunity. By encouraging people to begin with the experiences, passions and priorities they want to pursue in retirement, the campaign seeks to make financial planning more personal and actionable.
Ultimately, the research suggests that Americans are not simply looking for ways to reduce financial stress today. Many are also looking for greater confidence about tomorrow.
The challenge is turning that desire into a clear plan.
For consumers, that can mean identifying their priorities, understanding their financial position and taking manageable steps toward their goals. For financial professionals and institutions, it means providing guidance, tools and resources that make those steps easier to understand and implement.
As financial pressures continue to affect households across the country, the ability to connect financial decisions with personal goals may become increasingly important. Retirement is not simply about reaching a predetermined savings figure. It is about creating the financial foundation that allows individuals to continue doing the things that matter most to them.
Lincoln Financial’s latest research suggests that Americans understand the importance of that future—and, importantly, many are ready to start taking action to build it.
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