Over 1 in 3 Americans Earning $300K Live Paycheck to Paycheck

A new report on retirement trends from Goldman Sachs indicates that a significant portion of Americans, across various income brackets, are experiencing financial strain, with over one-third of those earning more than $300,000 reporting they live paycheck to paycheck. This financial precarity is even more pronounced among lower earners, as 42% of individuals making under $100,000 also stated they live paycheck to paycheck. The survey data, collected in July 2026 from 5,106 individuals including both working Americans and retirees, highlights a widespread challenge in achieving financial stability and long-term goals.

For those in the highest income bracket surveyed, earning over $300,000 annually, 36% indicated they are living paycheck to paycheck. This suggests that even substantial incomes may not be sufficient to cover expenses or allow for robust savings, a situation potentially exacerbated by high living costs in certain areas or lifestyle inflation. In contrast, 42% of Americans earning less than $100,000 reported the same financial condition. This group faces even greater difficulty in saving, with 42% struggling to manage their finances on a month-to-month basis.

The report also found that financial goals are being delayed across the board. Over two-thirds of Americans earning either under $100,000 or over $300,000 stated they have been forced to postpone major financial objectives. For the middle-income group, defined as those earning between $100,000 and $300,000, the situation is also concerning. Twenty-three percent of these earners reported living paycheck to paycheck, and a majority, 54%, admitted to delaying their personal finance milestones. Cumulatively, across all income levels surveyed, nearly 70% of U.S. individuals have put off a significant financial goal.

Greg Wilson, Head of Retirement at Goldman Sachs Asset Management, commented on the findings in the report, noting a shift from traditional retirement security formulas. "For generations, the retirement security formula was straightforward: work consistently, save diligently, and security would follow," Wilson stated. He further elaborated that "While workers may look financially stable externally, underneath, they’re working more, delaying major goals, and supplementing their income." The report's findings challenge the assumption that high earners are inherently financially secure and point to broader economic pressures affecting a wide spectrum of the American population.