Most people are anxious about their finances, and as the anxiety grows, so does their fear of unexpected expenses — which have displaced saving for retirement and running out of money during retirement as uppermost in their minds.

That’s according to the 2016 Northwestern Mutual Planning & Progress Study, which found that 85 percent of people report feeling financial anxiety — and 36 percent say that anxiety has gotten worse over the past three years.

Twenty-eight percent say they worry about their finances at least daily (an unfortunate 3 percent do so hourly). At the top of their worry list? Unexpected expenses, cited by 55 percent of respondents. Thirty-eight percent said having an unplanned financial emergency was their top fear, while 34 percent dreaded an unplanned medical expense because of an illness.

Saving for retirement was another anxiety-laden topic for 29 percent, while 21 percent are worried about running out of retirement savings. Seventeen percent were afraid of losing a job, and 15 percent feared a long period of unemployment.

Respondents also cited experiencing financial anxiety because of health care costs (27 percent), mortgage/rent expenses (25 percent), credit card debt (25 percent) and student loan debt (13 percent).

And all that worry is having an impact on people’s happiness and moods (70 percent); their ability to pursue their dreams/interests/passions (69 percent); their health (67 percent); their home life (61 percent); their social life (51 percent); and their careers (41 percent).

Interestingly, when asked what they would do if they were financially secure, the top answers weren’t finding a new career (only 9 percent opted for that) or even to stop working altogether (although 15 percent did say they’d do that if they could). Instead, they opted for buying a home (34 percent) and leaving money to loved ones so that they would feel financially secure (32 percent).

Instant Insights /

Americans are most anxious over unexpected expenses, survey shows

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