Generation Z — which believes retirement is overrated — simply wants to live in the moment.
That’s one of the biggest findings of an Intuit poll of the adult members of the generation, those between the ages of 18 and 26.
They have good reason to feel discouraged, as there are four major factors holding them back financially: inflation, discouraging peer comparisons on social media, lower wages than their parents, and higher student loan balances.
Seventy-three percent of Gen Z says inflation and other current economic factors make them hesitant to set up long-term goals, and 66% do not think they’ll ever have enough money to retire.
This mirrors a similar survey from Bank of America that found Gen Z believes the high cost of living is a barrier to their financial success.
“Younger adults feel discouraged,” says Bankrate senior industry analyst Ted Rossman.
Kara Duckworth, managing director at Mercer Advisors, is finding these beliefs among younger investors to be fairly pervasive. “As a wealth advisor, my radar goes up,” Duckworth tells CNBC
Many of her clients are planning for extended trips rather than figuring out how to save for retirement, much less emergency savings.
Social media isn’t just making Gen Zers, who are as young as 11, feel inadequate about their bodies, families and romantic relationships — but also about their money. Fifty-eight percent of members of Generation Z say they feel less prosperous when they compare themselves to others, and 32% of Gen Zers compare themselves to people they see on social media. By comparison, only 14% of the general population relate to others they see on social media platforms.
The findings run 180-degrees counter to the recent “FIRE” buzzword: Financial Independence, Retire Early.
So, what does Gen Z want instead?
Forty percent want to pursue a passion or a hobby, and 37% want to be able to make a non-essential purchase. Among Boomers, this drops to 20% and 25%, respectively.
Fifty-six percent of Gen Z is most concerned about their mental well-being, followed by constant personal growth (48%).
Mirroring Intuit’s survey that found work-life balance is Gen Z’s No. 1 “driver of prosperity,” a Bankrate survey found that 83% of Gen Z and Millennials support a four-day work week, with 92% willing to make sacrifices to make that work.
Forty-eight percent would be willing to work longer hours on those four days, 35% would change jobs or companies to make it happen, 33% would work fully in person, 20% would accept fewer vacation days, 13% would accept a pay cut, and 12% would be willing to take a step back in their career.