Financial Research & Insights

Money decisions are deeply personal, but they are also shaped by broader trends, including retirement readiness, caregiving, life insurance knowledge, marriage, financial emergencies and aging.

Explore Western & Southern Financial Group insights from consumer surveys, public data analysis and research-driven reports on the financial questions facing individuals, families and communities.

Retirement, Longevity & Aging

How Caring for an Aging Parent Is Affecting Retirement in America

Caring for an aging parent can affect more than a person’s schedule. This survey explores how caregiving responsibilities may influence retirement planning, workplace decisions, financial stress and support for aging parents or in-laws.

Updated: June 16, 2026

Retirement Rewritten: How Americans Are Changing the Way They Retire

A survey of adults age 50 and older explores how Americans approaching or already living in retirement think about work, retirement timing, financial confidence and what retirement looks like today.

Updated: June 10, 2026

The Best and Worst States to Retire in 2026, Ranked by Financial Readiness

This index ranks all 50 states using publicly available data related to retirement savings, earnings, homeownership, cost of living and quality of life.

Updated: April 20, 2026

The Longevity Gap: Are Americans Financially Prepared To Live Into Their 90s?

As Americans plan for longer lives, this survey explores the gap between how long people expect to live and how long they expect their retirement savings to last.

Updated: April 15, 2026

Gray Divorce, Red Ink: The Financial Fallout After 50

This survey examines the financial impact of divorce after age 50, including how later-life divorce may affect retirement timelines, savings, housing, healthcare and long-term planning.

Updated: March 12, 2026

The Demographic Tipping Point: How an Aging Population Is Reshaping America’s Finances

This report uses public data and financial research to examine how America’s aging population may affect retirement savings, the labor force, healthcare costs and long-term financial planning.

Updated: May 13, 2025

2025 Retirement Readiness Index: Which Americans Are Most Ready for Retirement?

This state-by-state ranking uses public data to explore retirement readiness across factors such as retirement account balances, retirement income, homeownership, life expectancy and affordability.

Updated: April 21, 2025

1 in 4 Americans Fear They’ll Never Retire — Here’s Why

This survey of unretired Americans explores retirement concerns, savings challenges, side hustles and how people are preparing for their financial future.

Updated: April 17, 2025

How Long You Could Live on $1M Retirement Savings in 2022

This analysis estimates how long $1 million in retirement savings could last, using state-level expense data and survey findings about retirement preparation.

Updated: January 25, 2023

Life Insurance & Financial Protection

Mapping Life Insurance Participation and Protection Levels by State

This state-level analysis looks at life insurance ownership, premiums, average death benefits and mortality risk to explore where coverage gaps may exist.

Updated: April 21, 2025

Half of Americans Struggle Financially After Losing a Loved One

This survey examines the financial challenges people may face after the death of a loved one, including funeral costs, day-to-day expenses and overall preparedness.

Updated: April 17, 2025

Americans Struggle to Prepare for Financial Emergencies — Here’s What Worries Them Most

This survey explores which financial emergencies concern Americans most and how prepared they feel for unexpected expenses such as medical bills, job loss or major home repairs.

Updated: April 17, 2025

The Life Insurance Knowledge Gap: What Americans Want To Know

This survey explores how well Americans understand life insurance, including policy features, coverage needs and preparedness for end-of-life expenses.

Updated: February 5, 2025

Money, Relationships & Family Finances

Married, Yet Misaligned: The Financial Conversations Couples Avoid

This survey explores how married Americans discuss money, debt, retirement, financial dependence and long-term planning within their relationships.

Updated: March 18, 2026

Money Talks Couples Can’t Afford to Skip

This follow-up look at financial alignment explores marriage, divorce and conversations about debt, retirement, estate decisions and shared financial goals.

Updated: January 27, 2025

The Impact of Inheritance Money on American Lives

This survey explores how Americans who received a cash inheritance used the money, including saving, investing, paying down debt and planning for retirement.

Updated: January 25, 2023

The Most Important Financial Discussions for Couples

This earlier survey of married Americans examines money-related relationship issues, financial deal breakers and topics that can lead to conflict between partners.

Updated: January 25, 2023

Financial Habits & Literacy

Next-Gen Finance: The Ultimate Financial Literacy Toolkit To Teach Teens About Money

This resource center brings together public data and educator resources to support personal finance instruction for high school students.

Updated: May 13, 2025

How Memorizing Your Card Number Affects Your Wallet

This survey explores whether memorizing a credit or debit card number is associated with different spending habits, convenience and financial behavior.

Updated: April 17, 2025

How Are Americans Building Wealth?

This survey examines how Americans across generations approach wealth-building, investing, financial advice and perceived knowledge gaps.

Updated: January 25, 2023

About These Insights

The articles featured in this collection include consumer surveys, publicly available data analysis and educational resource development. Survey findings are based on the responses of the participants included in each study and may reflect self-reported information, sample composition and response timing. Data-based reports use cited public sources and standardized scoring or analysis methods where applicable.

These studies are intended to provide directional insight into financial attitudes, behaviors and trends. Individual experiences and financial circumstances can vary. This information is provided for educational purposes and should not be interpreted as financial, legal or tax advice.