As National Retirement Security Month puts a spotlight on Americans’ financial preparedness for retirement, new research from Longbridge Financial finds a significant confidence divide among older homeowners, with those ages 55 to 64 reporting the lowest retirement confidence across every measure surveyed.

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The findings are featured in “The Retirement Confidence Divide,” the second volume of the 2026 Longbridge Financial Home Equity Confidence Index, based on a national survey of 2,021 U.S. homeowners age 55 and older conducted by Morning Consult. The research examines how retirement confidence varies by age, income, and where homeowners hold their wealth.

Among homeowners age 75 and older, 82% say they are confident in their ability to afford everyday expenses in retirement, compared with 59% of those ages 55 to 64. The pattern extends across other measures of retirement confidence, including overall financial security, 66% compared with 47%; covering unexpected expenses, 74% compared with 48%; and affording health care, 78% compared with 53%.

“National Retirement Security Month is an important reminder that retirement readiness can look very different from one household to another,” said Chris Mayer, CEO of Longbridge Financial. “Our research shows homeowners ages 55 to 64 reporting considerably less confidence than older homeowners, while people whose wealth is concentrated in their homes also report much lower confidence than those with more savings and investments. For many Americans approaching retirement, understanding the full picture of their household wealth, including the equity they have built in their homes, should be part of the retirement planning conversation.”

Where wealth is held corresponds with a significant confidence gap

Retirement confidence also varies considerably depending on whether homeowners’ wealth is held primarily in home equity or in savings and investments.

Across all seven retirement measures included in the survey, homeowners whose wealth is primarily concentrated in home equity report lower confidence than those whose wealth is primarily held in savings and investments.

The largest difference is in overall financial security. Thirty percent of homeowners whose wealth is primarily in home equity report feeling confident, compared with 72% of those whose wealth is primarily in savings and investments, a 42-percentage-point gap.

The differences extend across the other measures surveyed. Confidence among those whose wealth is primarily in home equity compared with those primarily holding savings and investments was 53% versus 82% for affording everyday expenses, 34% versus 75% for covering unexpected expenses, 45% versus 78% for quality of life, and 50% versus 74% for health care costs.

Retirement confidence rises with age

About two-thirds of homeowners age 55 and older describe themselves as financially secure today, but confidence increases with age.

Among homeowners ages 55 to 64, 60% describe themselves as very or somewhat financially secure, compared with 69% of those ages 65 to 74 and 79% of those age 75 and older.

Despite reporting lower current retirement confidence, homeowners ages 55 to 64 are more optimistic about their financial future than those 65 and older. Thirty-five percent of homeowners ages 55 to 64 expect to be better off financially, compared with 24% of those age 65 and older.

Older respondents are more likely to expect stability. Among those age 65 and older, 47% expect their financial situation to remain about the same, while 25% expect it to worsen, compared with 21% of homeowners ages 55 to 64 who expect their financial situation to decline.

Retirement confidence also varies significantly by income

Household income is also associated with sizable differences in retirement confidence. Among homeowners age 55 and older earning $100,000 or more, 76% report confidence in their long-term financial security, compared with 39% of those earning less than $50,000, a 37-percentage-point difference.

The widest income-based difference appears in confidence about affording leisure and travel in retirement. Seventy-nine percent of homeowners earning $100,000 or more report confidence in their ability to afford those expenses, compared with 36% of those earning less than $50,000, a 43-percentage-point gap.

Differences also extend to everyday expenses. Eighty-six percent of homeowners earning at least $100,000 report confidence in their ability to afford everyday expenses in retirement, compared with 57% of those earning less than $50,000.

About the Longbridge Financial Home Equity Confidence Index

The Longbridge Financial Home Equity Confidence Index examines how older homeowners think about their financial situation, home equity, and the tools available to access it. The 2026 Index is based on a national survey of 2,021 U.S. homeowners age 55 and older conducted by Morning Consult between March 26 and April 5, 2026.

The survey was designed to reflect a broad cross-section of older homeowners across age, region, income, and education and was conducted without reference to Longbridge to ensure unbiased responses. Findings from the Index are being released across a series of reports examining key financial and housing issues among older homeowners.

About Longbridge Financial

Longbridge Financial, LLC (NMLS #957935), is a nationally recognized mortgage lender and servicer focused on helping older homeowners access their home equity through flexible, responsible lending solutions designed to support a more secure retirement. Founded in 2012 and led by a respected Ivy League professor, the company combines deep industry expertise with a strong commitment to education, innovation, and transparency. Guided by a mission to empower aging Americans, Longbridge Financial provides the tools and insights they need to help make confident financial decisions in or near retirement.

For more information about Longbridge Financial or interview requests, visit longbridge-financial.com/newsroom.

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