Survey Reveals Retirement Fears Outweigh Halloween Horrors for Most Americans
A new Boldin survey shows that 66% of financially savvy Americans found retirement uncertainties scarier than walking alone in the woods on Halloween before creating a retirement plan, highlighting the transformative power of financial planning in reducing anxiety.
A recent survey conducted by financial confidence company Boldin reveals that retirement uncertainties generate more fear than traditional Halloween horrors for most Americans. The study found that 66% of financially savvy respondents considered their pre-planning retirement fears more terrifying than walking alone in woods on a dark Halloween night.
The online poll, conducted on October 10, 2025, surveyed 1,053 Boldin users and achieved a 95% response rate. The data shows retirement anxiety was widespread before planning, with 67% reporting regular worries about their financial future. More than a quarter (27%) said retirement fears weighed on them quite a bit, while 40% were somewhat worried and 26% were a little concerned. Only 3% reported no anxiety about retirement.
Financial security emerged as the dominant concern, with 39% of respondents identifying running out of money or outliving savings as their greatest fear before creating a retirement plan. Other significant worries included inability to afford desired lifestyle in retirement (19%) and uncertainty about preparing for future unknowns like market volatility and inflation (17%).
The survey demonstrates a dramatic shift in confidence once respondents implemented written retirement plans. An overwhelming 96% reported increased confidence about their future, with 68% feeling much more confident and 28% somewhat more confident. Only 3% said a plan didn't change their outlook. Current sentiment reflects this transformation, with 46% describing themselves as confident about retirement and 49% as somewhat confident, while only 4% remain anxious.
Steve Chen, Founder and CEO of Boldin, emphasized the importance of financial planning, stating that increased confidence comes from building financial knowledge and making informed decisions. The company's mission focuses on making financial planning accessible and affordable through resources available at https://www.boldin.com/.
Survey participants identified specific proactive steps that boosted their retirement security. Running what-if and contingency scenarios helped 66% feel more secure, while 43% established guaranteed income streams through pensions, Social Security, or annuities. Other confidence-building measures included becoming debt-free (36%), consistent saving and investing (34%), and seeking professional financial guidance (26%).
While financial concerns dominated retirement anxieties, health-related worries also featured prominently. More than half (57%) cited financial challenges as their greatest source of anxiety, compared to 43% who feared non-financial struggles like declining health, loss of purpose, or social isolation. The survey highlights how comprehensive retirement planning addresses both financial and personal wellbeing concerns.
The data comes from Boldin users who are actively creating and managing their own financial plans through the company's platform. To date, more than 350,000 individuals on Boldin are managing their own plans with over $300 billion in assets, with users reporting 94% more in retirement savings than the national average according to an internal June 2023 survey.