---
title: Half of Americans Aren't Sure They'll Be Able to Afford Retirement
description: Almost half of Americans fear they won't be able to afford retirement, according to a new survey by the American Institute of CPAs
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published: '2017-04-12T16:40:55.000Z'
modified: '2024-03-18T15:03:59.000Z'
section: Retirement
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![Senior woman saving money in piggy bank](https://img.money.com/2017/04/retirement-savings-anxiety.jpg)

Almost half of Americans fear they won't be able to afford retirement, according to a [new survey](http://www.journalofaccountancy.com/news/2017/apr/americans-fear-they-wont-reach-retirement-goals-201716417.html) by the American Institute of CPAs.

Half of non-retired adults (49%) said they were not confident they'd be financially prepared to retire in the future, and 42% of non-retired adults said that was causing them anxiety, according to the survey results, which were [reported by the Journal of Accountancy](http://www.journalofaccountancy.com/news/2017/apr/americans-fear-they-wont-reach-retirement-goals-201716417.html) on Wednesday. Still, 46% of non-retired adults said they were confident they will save enough for retirement.

Many respondents said political uncertainty was the reason for their anxiety — including uncertainty about health care (68%), Social Security (62%) and tax rates (52%).

The poll, conducted by Harris Poll, surveyed 1,018 people by telephone during March.

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