High Earners Reported Living Paycheque to Paycheque
A new Goldman Sachs report reveals that even top earners struggle with financial goals and secondary work demands.
Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in Retirement Planning
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Goldman Sachs Asset Management released a retirement report finding that 36% of earners making over $300,000 annually live paycheque to paycheque. The data highlights a widespread trend of financial strain, with 76% of high earners reporting delays in major financial goals.
Why it matters
Rising housing costs and day-to-day living expenses are hindering retirement savings for many workers across income levels. Debt payments were also cited by 27% of respondents as a primary obstacle to maintaining their retirement plans.
The share of respondents who increased retirement savings fell to 39%, down from 55% in the previous survey. Despite these challenges, 58% of retirement savers currently report being on track or ahead of schedule.
The players
Goldman Sachs Asset Management
This global investment management firm provides financial services and publishes research on economic and retirement trends.
Royal London
This is a mutual life and pensions company based in the United Kingdom that frequently researches financial resilience among the British population.
The details
The survey data, gathered from 3,612 working individuals and 1,494 retirees, shows 61% of all workers have taken on secondary employment. Additional research from Royal London through its Financial Resilience Barometer further corroborates these trends regarding financial stability.
Timeline
March 4–19, 2026: Royal London conducted its Financial Resilience Barometer survey.
July 2026: Goldman Sachs conducted its retirement survey.
September 30, 2026: The New Economics of Retirement report was released.
Market Dynamics
This report highlights a departure from traditional saving patterns by documenting the Goldman Sachs Asset Management retirement survey. It reflects a broader structural change in the labor market as more individuals across all income brackets seek secondary work to maintain financial resilience.
The findings suggest that many households are struggling to allocate capital toward long-term savings goals like 401(k)s or personal portfolios. Readers should re-evaluate their monthly budgets to ensure fixed costs are not preventing progress on long-term wealth management targets.
The takeaway
Financial stability remains elusive for many, even among those with high annual incomes. Reviewing debt obligations and adjusting long-term financial milestones may be necessary for those struggling to keep up with daily expenses.
Further reading
Explore more analysis on saving strategies in our Retirement Planning section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by International Business Times UK.
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