Workplace Saving Mismatch – Why Employers and Employees See Retirement Readiness So Differently

Markets wobble but hold steady as investors wait for clearer economic signals

The quick scan: Friday’s session had a hesitant feel. Markets spent the day dipping and recovering as investors navigated mixed economic signals, choppy tech sentiment and uncertainty around the interest-rate path.

S&P 500: -0.05% to 6,734.11 – a near-flat finish after deeper losses earlier in the day
Dow Jones: -0.65% to 47,147.48 – pressured by weakness in several blue-chip names
NASDAQ: +0.13% to 22,900.59 – tech managed a slight rebound despite volatility

What’s driving it: Tech stocks continued to steer the mood. An early sell-off dragged major indices lower before a midday stabilisation helped the market regain its footing. Investors are also digesting fading expectations of a December rate cut and dealing with delayed economic data after the government shutdown, which has created more fog than clarity. Layer onto that concerns about stretched valuations, uneven earnings and a growth outlook that feels softer than anyone would like, and you get a market that is cautious rather than confident.

Bottom line: For L-Plate Retirees this is a moment to stay steady. The market is not signaling crisis or momentum, just uncertainty. It is a reminder to lean on your long-term plan, keep risk levels aligned with your retirement stage and avoid reading too much into a choppy week with limited clean data.

Are You and Your Employer on the Same Page About Retirement?

The scoop: Here’s the story, told in plain English (and a little analogy). According to the recent survey cited by the World Economic Forum, there’s a growing gap between how confident employees feel about their retirement readiness and how confident their employers believe the employees are.

Let’s break it down:

• About 64% of employees say they feel they’re on track for retirement. Meanwhile, only 38% of employers believe most of their employees are on track.

• On the retiree side, 64% believe their money will need to last longer than they expected. That figure has grown from 46% in 2020.

• Significantly, 79% of retirees believe employers should help savers get through retirement, not just reach retirement. And 91% believe employers should offer secure income options in their retirement plans.

• On the employee side, worries are mounting: 66% fear running out of money in retirement (vs ~56% last year).

• Savings rates are dropping – from ~12% a few years ago to about 10% now. Debt is widespread (77% carry some) and more than half say they’d be willing to tap retirement savings in an emergency (up from 33% in 2020).

So what’s going on? Think of it like planning a long road trip: the driver (you, the employee) says “Yep, we’re good,” but the co-driver (the employer, in this analogy) is looking at the odometer, GPS map and fuel gauge and saying “Hmm… I’m not so sure.” And the destination (retirement) is getting further away, partly because we’re living longer, fuel efficiency hasn’t improved much and the route is bumpier than before.

In other words: it’s not just about whether you’ve saved enough by retirement – it’s also about whether the plan is structured to help you live well once you stop working.

Actionable takeaways for L-Plate Retirees:

• Review your horizon: Estimate how long you might need your retirement savings to stretch. If you’re 55 today and expect to live into your 90s, build accordingly.

• Check your income-plan options: Beyond savings, what structures do you have (or can you set up) to generate regular income in retirement – e.g. annuities, rental income, part-time consulting?

• Strengthen your buffer: Build a good emergency fund so you avoid tapping into retirement savings early, which can reduce your long-term income.

• Talk to your employer or plan provider: If you’re still working, ask about how your retirement plan supports not just accumulation but income liftoff. Sometimes options exist but aren’t front-of-mind.

• Raise your savings rate: Even a small increase matters. Longer lifespans mean your money must work harder, and being proactive helps reduce stress later.

• If you’re already retired: assess income vs principal: Are you living off income from your assets, or dipping into principal? Make sure you’re comfortable with that trade-off, given uncertainties ahead.

• Keep educating yourself: Many savers want more specific guidance on converting savings to income. Ask questions about fees, how your investments will perform under stress, and how inflation or healthcare costs might modify your retirement picture.

Your Turn:
If you extended your expected retirement horizon by 5 years, how much more would that require you to save (or adjust your spending) – is that difference manageable for you?
When was the last time you visualised life in full retirement: daily rhythm, travel, health costs, housing? Could you sketch out that vision for clarity and share it (with yourself or someone else) this week?

👉 Hit reply and share your thoughts – your answers could inspire fellow readers in future issues.

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Resources:
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