At the 2026 PRC symposium, Dr. Karen Dynan explained how rising Social Security, Medicare, and debt-servicing costs could constrain economic growth, limit the government’s ability to respond to future crises, and leave retirement programs more vulnerable. She cautions that delaying fiscal decisions could make future reforms more abrupt and more burdensome for the households that rely on these programs most.…Read More
Early access to retirement savings can provide important financial flexibility, but withdrawals could come at a cost to future retirement security. Wharton’s Olivia S. Mitchell examines how retirement plans can balance short-term financial needs with long-term retirement readiness.…Read More
Two-thirds of Americans are more afraid of running out of money than dying, yet only 12% of those age 50+ have bought annuities, a product designed to provide guaranteed lifetime income. Why? New research co-authored by Wharton’s Olivia S. Mitchell explores how framing and plan design can help retirees reduce the risk of running out of money.…Read More
New research co-authored by Wharton’s Olivia S. Mitchell shows that trust is a key driver of retirement saving. When people trust financial institutions, they’re more likely to invest, save, and build higher levels of wealth. Learn how confidence shapes retirement outcomes.…Read More
Recent research co-authored by Wharton’s Olivia S. Mitchell unpacks the “annuity puzzle:” why retirees underutilize lifetime income solutions despite their benefits. Discover how behavioral nudges, simpler choices, and earlier engagement could meaningfully boost annuity adoption and improve retirement security here. …Read More
Most people don’t plan for the risk of living “too long” and the cost it imposes on their retirement. Wharton’s Olivia S. Mitchell explains in this interview how improving longevity literacy could transform financial decision-making and prevent retirement regret.…Read More
Older Americans are carrying more debt into retirement, raising concerns about long-term retirement security as living costs continue to climb. Wharton’s Olivia S. Mitchell explains that longer life expectancies and persistent inflation are making it harder for many retirees to maintain their financial footing. Read her insights here.…Read More
What if annuities were marketed less as investments, and more as insurance against outliving your savings? New research from a team including Wharton’s Olivia S. Mitchell argues that consumption-focused framing could change how people approach retirement income planning. Read more about the working paper and its implications here.…Read More
Hosted by Olivia S. Mitchell and Nikolai Roussanov, Wharton’s Pension Research Council held its annual Spring Symposium in May of 2026, bringing together leading academics, Industry experts, and policymakers to explore the rise of public debt and how it shapes saving, investments, and retirement. Presentations covered the federal debt, social security, investment trends, and retirement wellbeing. …Read More
Dr. Sylvain Catherine, an Advisory Board member of Wharton’s Pension Research Council, explains why traditional measures of U.S. wealth inequality are incomplete when they exclude Social Security benefits. Read his Q&A with Knowledge at Wharton to learn more.…Read More
