2026 DC Retirement at a Glance

1. BIG BET ON AFFORDABLE HOUSING — New York City’s public pension funds announced plans to invest $4 billion (1.25% of total assets) in affordable housing developments. The funds will be split into housing projects for seniors, apartment rehabilitation programs, and a trust to finance middle-income housing developed and managed by union labor. (Source: New York Times)

2. BURNED OUT — The labor-force participation rate of Americans over 55 dropped to 37.2% in March, the lowest level since June 2005. An AARP poll found that 25% of workers over 50 who planned to retire early cited stress and burnout as primary drivers, with anxiety over learning new technology among the key stressors. (Source: WSJ)

3. EMPLOYERS CHIPPING IN — Employers accounted for 34.7% of combined 401(k) retirement contributions in 2023, up from 32.6% in 2008. Employers also contributed a larger share in bigger plans: in 2023, their share was under 29% in plans with less than $10 million in assets compared to at least 36% in plans with more than $500 million in assets. (Source: ICI)

4. GEN X’S RETIREMENT WORRY — 28% of older Gen X workers (aged 55–60) say they are extremely or very concerned about having enough income to last through retirement, which is twice the rate of American Baby Boomers (aged 61–75). As a result, nearly half of older Gen Xers anticipate having to return to work during retirement, compared to only 21% of Boomers. (Source: Plan Sponsor of America)*

5. KNOW MORE, SAVE MORE — 62% of Americans consider themselves financial beginners, compared to 38% who say they are financially savvy. Those who are financially well versed are more than twice as likely to have over $250K saved for retirement (38% vs. 15%). (Source: Corebridge Financial)

6. RULE OF $1,000 — Instead of the “4% rule” for retirement, which suggests withdrawing 4% annually to make savings last over the long term, Kiplinger’s “rule of $1,000” says that for every $1,000 of monthly income needed on top of Social Security, you’ll need about $240,000 in savings. (Source: Investopedia)

7. RETIREMENT PUSHED BACK — Only 20% of workers who expect to work past their ideal retirement age cite job satisfaction as the primary reason, with nearly half pointing to the rising cost of living. The average worker expects to work nearly four years past their ideal retirement age. (Source: Economist Enterprise)

8. YOUR BENEFITS, YOUR CHOICE — On April 15, the bipartisan OPTIONS Act was introduced in the House to provide employees with greater flexibility in allocating employer contributions. Beyond retirement programs, the legislation would allow employees to also direct funds to health savings accounts, health reimbursement arrangements, and education assistance programs. (Source: ASPPA)

9. OFF TARGET — A 2025 survey of retirement plan participants found that 34% wrongly believed target date funds are guaranteed to not lose money, while 45% said they would be uncomfortable if their target date fund lost more than 10% in the five years before they retire. (Source: New York Times)

QUESTION:From November 2022 through February 2026, the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Consumer Price Index (CPI) tracking inflation for Americans over the age of 62 (CPI-E) outpaced the overall CPI for 40 straight months. During that streak, how much did the cost of living for older Americans increase relative to the overall CPI?