Skip to Content

Financial Security Scorecard: A State-by-State Analysis of Economic Pressures Facing Future Retirees

Jul 1, 2014

Woman using laptop with credit score on laptop screen

This new analysis gauges the relative performance of the fifty states and the District of Columbia in three key areas: anticipated retirement income; major retirement costs like housing and healthcare; and labor market conditions for older workers.

The study is designed to serve as a tool for policymakers to help identify potentials of focus for state-based policy interventions to improve Americans’ retirement prospects.

The report is authored by Christian E. Weller, professor of public policy at the University of Massachusetts Boston; Nari Rhee, manager of research at the National Institute on Retirement Security and Carolyn Arcand, doctoral candidate at the University of Massachusetts Boston.

Across the nation, states are falling short.

Related Research and Analysis

Retirement in America: An Analysis of Retirement Preparedness Among Working-Age Americans
People of all ages walking on a busy street.

Retirement in America: An Analysis of Retirement Preparedness Among Working-Age Americans

Retirement in America: An Analysis of Retirement Preparedness Among Working-Age Americans answers key questions relating to retirement savings, access to retirement plans, and how saving for retirement interacts with other financial commitments, such as repaying student loan debt and owning a home. It offers a broad examination of how different groups of workers are faring in their preparation for retirement and where workers are falling short.

Feb 5, 2026

Debunking the Job-Hopping Myth: A Data-Driven Look at Tenure and Turnover Among Younger Workers
Business team at morning briefing in the office
  • Issue Brief
  • Generations
  • Debunking the Job-Hopping Myth: A Data-Driven Look at Tenure and Turnover Among Younger Workers

    Contrary to popular belief that Millennials and Generation Z employees are constantly switching jobs, new research from the National Institute on Retirement Security finds that younger workers today show job retention patterns that closely mirror previous generations at the same stage of their careers.

    Sep 2, 2025

    Views of Retirement in America by Political Party Affiliation
    Election Vote Buttons

    Views of Retirement in America by Political Party Affiliation

    Despite deep polarization across the U.S., a research brief from the National Institute on Retirement Security finds common ground when it comes to Americans’ support for Social Security and defined benefit pension plans. At the same time, Views of Retirement in America by Political Party Affiliation finds Americans across party lines are worried about retirement. […]

    Oct 7, 2024