(The Epoch Times)—A significant share of Americans believe they may never retire, with 43 percent admitting they see themselves working until death, financial services company WalletHub said in a Sept. 2 survey.
“50 percent of people don’t think it’s realistic for the average American to expect to retire comfortably,” WalletHub said.
“These concerns aren’t unfounded, given the heavy debt burden many households carry, the lack of adequate savings, and the uncertainty surrounding the future of government benefits.”
For instance, the average American household held $152,653 in debt by the end of the second quarter of 2025, WalletHub said last month, based on data from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.
Meanwhile, the personal savings rate has been hovering below the 5 percent level since 2022, a stark contrast to pre-2022, when the rate remained mostly above this level, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis data.
In the WalletHub survey, two out of five respondents said they felt anxious when thinking about retirement. One in four said they don’t have a retirement plan.
A quarter of respondents said they are counting on family members to support them financially once they retire.
“Most Americans (53 percent) think paying off debt is more important than making retirement contributions,” WalletHub said.
The survey was conducted online among 200 respondents nationwide.
A May 1 report from investment company State Street had also made similar findings—that Americans were worried about preparing for retirement.
However, respondents in the survey expressed higher confidence regarding retirement, it said.
“Americans’ overall confidence in their ability to retire at some point improved by eight percentage points, from 54 percent to 62 percent, with certain demographic groups showing particular optimism,” said the report.
“Young people were more likely to plan to fully retire, with 75 percent of those respondents between the ages of 18 and 34 expecting they will do so completely—perhaps not surprising, given the longer runway ahead and a less clear picture of what will be required to make it to retirement.”
Best Places to Retire
A key factor for a good retirement is where people choose to spend their life after retiring. Locations that are affordable and have a good quality of life and health care would be optimal for this stage.
A Sept. 2 WalletHub report compared the retirement friendliness of more than 180 American cities in 45 metrics such as cost of living and health infrastructure.
Orlando, Florida, topped the list as the best city for retirees, followed by Scottsdale, Arizona, and Minneapolis, Minnesota. Miami and Tampa took the remaining two of the top five spots.
“It’s important to choose wisely when picking where to retire, as many retirees are on a fixed income,” said WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo.
“As a result, the best cities for retired people are those that minimize taxes and expenses, as well as have good opportunities for retirees to continue paid work for extra income, if they choose to do so.
“In addition, the top cities provide high-quality health care and offer plenty of enjoyable activities for retirees.”
According to a June 18 post by the Investment Company Institute, total U.S. retirement assets amounted to $43.4 trillion as of March 31, accounting for 34 percent of household financial assets.
Assets in individual retirement accounts made up $16.8 trillion out of the $43.4 trillion. Defined contribution plan assets accounted for $12.2 trillion.
Meanwhile, the Trump administration is taking action to protect the retirement benefits of millions of Social Security beneficiaries.
During Aug. 25 remarks to reporters at the Oval Office, President Donald Trump emphasized that he would not touch Social Security when it comes to congressional cost-cutting proposals.
“One thing I said and I gave my word—we’re not going to hurt anybody on Medicaid, Medicare, or Social Security,” he said. “We’re doing great on Social Security,” and “we’re going to protect it.”
According to Social Security Administration data, there were 69.9 million Social Security beneficiaries as of July, out of which 53.17 million were retired workers.
Why Bullion Beats Numismatics and Collectible for Your Safe or IRA
Precious metals continue to attract Americans seeking reliable ways to protect their wealth amid inflation, geopolitical risks, and stock market swings. Whether stored in a home safe or held inside a self-directed IRA, physical gold and silver deliver tangible value that paper or digital assets often lack. Yet investors must choose carefully between bullion—pure bars and coins valued mainly for their metal content—and numismatics or collectibles, where rarity, history, and collector demand heavily influence pricing.
Advisor Bullion serves as a dependable source for straightforward, high-quality bullion. The company specializes in physical gold, silver, platinum, and palladium, emphasizing transparent pricing and products that deliver maximum metal content for every dollar spent. This approach makes it ideal for both personal holdings and retirement accounts.
Bullion consists of refined precious metals in standard forms like one-ounce coins (American Gold Eagles, Silver Eagles, Canadian Maple Leafs) or bars. Their value tracks closely to the current spot price of the metal. A typical gold bullion coin trades near the live gold spot price plus a small premium. This structure keeps costs clear and predictable.
Numismatic coins and collectibles add substantial value from factors such as age, rarity, minting errors, or historical significance. A pre-1933 U.S. gold coin or graded proof piece can carry premiums of 30%, 50%, or even 200% above melt value. While this appeals to hobbyists, it creates complexity. Pricing depends on subjective grading, collector trends, and auction results instead of daily spot prices.
For investors focused on wealth preservation and retirement security rather than building a collection, bullion often delivers better results.
Lower Costs and Better Liquidity for Home Storage
When keeping metals in a home safe or private vault, liquidity and efficiency count. Bullion offers clear benefits:
- You acquire more actual gold or silver per dollar invested. Numismatics divert a large share of your money into rarity premiums and massive sales commission, reducing your metal exposure.
- Selling bullion involves tight bid-ask spreads, so you recover nearly full spot value with minimal fees. Collectibles require finding the right buyer and may sell at a discount if demand for that specific item weakens.
- Bullion prices remain transparent and update with global spot markets. You can track gold near current levels or silver accordingly and know exactly where your holdings stand. Numismatic values are priced by the Gold IRA companies with hefty margins applied.
- Standardized coins and bars store efficiently and divide easily for partial sales. Rare coins often need protective slabs and controlled conditions, adding hassle and expense.
- Bullion enjoys worldwide acceptance. A 1-oz Gold Maple Leaf or Silver Eagle sells quickly to dealers anywhere. Niche numismatic pieces may appeal only to limited buyers, slowing liquidation when speed matters.
In times when quick access to value becomes important, bullion’s simplicity stands out.
Stronger Fit for Precious Metals IRAs
Precious metals IRAs continue gaining traction as investors diversify retirement portfolios beyond stocks and bonds. IRS rules permit certain bullion products in self-directed IRAs if they meet purity standards (.995 fine for gold, .999 for silver) and are held by an approved custodian. Eligible items include American Gold and Silver Eagles plus many generic bars and rounds from recognized mints.
Numismatic and most collectible coins generally face heavy scrutiny from custodians due to valuation disputes and elevated markups. These higher premiums mean less actual metal ends up working inside the account.
Bullion avoids these issues. Its value links directly to verifiable spot prices, which simplifies reporting and lowers the risk of regulatory challenges. More of your IRA contribution purchases real metal instead of dealer profits or speculative upside. Over time, owning additional ounces that appreciate with the metal itself can create meaningful outperformance compared with high-premium alternatives that deliver fewer ounces.
Regulatory guidance from the CFTC and state securities offices repeatedly cautions against aggressive sales of expensive numismatics or “semi-numismatic” coins for IRAs. For retirement planning, transparent bullion from established providers reduces risk and aligns better with long-term goals.
How to Get Started with Bullion
Begin by clarifying your goals. Are you protecting savings in a safe, or moving part of a retirement account into a precious metals IRA? Focus on the number of ounces you can acquire at current prices rather than chasing marked-up collectibles.
Diversify sensibly: use gold for core preservation and silver for its blend of industrial and monetary qualities. Mix coins for easier divisibility with bars for lower per-ounce costs on larger buys. Arrange secure storage—whether at home with proper insurance or through professional facilities.
As economic uncertainties linger and faith in conventional assets erodes, bullion continues proving its worth as a dependable store of value. Its direct approach avoids the hype that sometimes surrounds collectible markets and keeps the focus on the metal itself.
For investors prepared to strengthen their portfolios, Advisor Bullion supplies the expertise and selection needed to acquire high-quality bullion efficiently. Whether building personal holdings or integrating metals into an IRA, their emphasis on transparent, investment-grade products helps secure more ounces today that support greater financial security tomorrow. In a complicated financial landscape, bullion’s clarity and reliability make it the smarter foundation for protecting what matters most.