New Retirement in America Podcast Episode Features Greenwald Research’s Doug Kinkaid on Growing Retirement Anxiety and AI’s Role in Financial Advice
WASHINGTON, D.C., October 15, 2026 —The National Institute on Retirement Security (NIRS) today released Episode 6 of its Retirement in America podcast, “Retirement Anxiety in the Age of AI: What Americans Are Telling Us.”
The episode features Doug Kinkaid of Greenwald Research and podcast host Dan Doonan discussing rising retirement concerns, the financial pressures making it harder to save, and AI’s potential to help Americans navigate complex retirement and financial decisions.
Retirement in America is available on the NIRS website, YouTube and all major podcast platforms including Apple and Spotify.
The conversation explores many of the key findings from NIRS’ Retirement Insecurity 2026 public opinion research, conducted by Greenwald Research, including why eight in 10 Americans say the nation faces a retirement crisis, up from 67 percent in 2020.
“Americans face difficult retirement decisions at a time when everyday expenses are making it harder to save,” Doonan said. “Doug offers valuable insight into those pressures and how AI could help people understand their options and plan for the future. His research also underscores the importance of a trusted financial advisor who understands a person’s circumstances and can help them turn information into action.”
Among the topics discussed in the episode:
- Rising retirement anxiety. Sixty-one percent of Americans worry about their own ability to achieve a financially secure retirement. The discussion explores what is driving those concerns.
- Affordability and saving. Sixty-eight percent say preparing for retirement is becoming harder as current financial demands compete with long-term goals.
- Dependable income and retirement planning. The conversation explores Americans’ support for pensions, concerns about Social Security, and the challenge of turning savings into income that will last.
- AI’s potential—and the importance of trust. While 63 percent of Americans have used an AI tool, 45 percent are uncomfortable with AI playing a role in financial advice. The discussion explores how AI could help with budgeting and retirement planning while complementing the personal guidance of a trusted advisor.
Retirement in America is a NIRS podcast exploring the economic, workforce and policy issues shaping Americans’ retirement security.
The National Institute on Retirement Security is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization established to contribute to informed policymaking by fostering a deep understanding of the value of retirement security to employees, employers, and the economy as a whole. Located in Washington, D.C., NIRS membership includes financial services firms, employee benefit plans, trade associations, and other retirement service providers.
Media Contact: Kelly Kenneally | kkenneally@nirsonline.org | 202.256.1445
