Only 60% of Couples Discuss Retirement Plans, Study Finds, Highlighting Critical Gap in Financial Alignment

Despite retirement being a shared life milestone, a growing number of couples fail to align on financial goals before entering this phase. Data indicates that fewer than three in five couples—specifically 60%—engage in regular conversations about retirement planning, according to findings from a national survey of 1,200 married or cohabiting individuals. This lack of dialogue extends to critical decisions such as savings targets, withdrawal strategies, and healthcare costs, with only 42% reporting joint decision-making on investment allocations in retirement accounts. The implications of this communication gap are substantial. Couples who do not discuss retirement plans are 2.3 times more likely to report financial stress during retirement, according to the survey. Furthermore, 58% of respondents who had not discussed retirement reported uncertainty about the partner’s financial expectations, including lifestyle choices and spending habits in later life. Those who had established a joint retirement plan were 71% more likely to feel confident about their financial future. Financial advisors increasingly emphasize the need for structured conversations, recommending couples establish a documented plan with clear milestones, shared budgeting frameworks, and contingency strategies. The survey found that couples who used a formal planning tool—such as a retirement calculator or shared financial dashboard—were 44% more likely to stay on track with their savings goals. Market participants, especially providers of retirement products and financial advisory services, are beginning to tailor offerings to support couple-based planning. Firms offering joint investment accounts, shared budgeting platforms, and co-registered retirement plans have seen a 15% rise in new client sign-ups over the past year, suggesting growing demand for integrated solutions.