Retirement Anxiety: Why So Many Americans Feel Unprepared

61% of Americans now fear running out of money in retirement more than they fear death itself. Half of all U.S. households approaching retirement are at risk of falling short of their current standard of living.This week on Money On Tap, Ben Brayshaw and Dan Michelon sit with the topic that shows up in the conference room more than any other these days: retirement anxiety — and why so many Americans feel unprepared.What you'll learn:

• The five fears inside retirement anxiety — and which one most plans don't address
• Why retirement is structurally more anxious today than a generation ago
• The Honeymoon, the Shock, and the Reframe — the three phases of every retirement
• Why men, executives, military, and first responders are hit hardest by the identity loss
• The new 100% income rule (the old 60–70% rule of thumb is dead)
• The six-part income plan that actually reduces anxiety
• Sequence-of-returns risk — and why the first five years of retirement determine everything
• Social Security in 2026: 77% benefit, $1.5T bipartisan proposal, what it means for you
• Why phased / consulting retirement is the underrated soft landing
• The emotional plan nobody writes down — hobbies, friendships, purpose, marriage

Plus Money In The News:

• Can the stock market save Social Security? A $1.5T bipartisan proposal from Cassidy and Kaine
• Ford stock surges on a $2B (becoming $10B) pivot to stationary energy storage with CATL
• Student loan changes hit July 1 — payments rising $300–$350/month under IBR and RAP plans

Free resource: Email us with "Retirement Anxiety white paper" in the subject and we'll send the companion document.Read the companion blog: brayshawfinancial.com/blog
Schedule a free consultation: app.greminders.com/t/9f3ce72e/initialconsulta
Full Money On Tap episode library: brayshawfinancial.com/money-on-tapContact Us
Phone: 855-226-8551
Email: info@yourmoneyontap.com
Office: 116 South River Road, Bedford, NH 03110
Web: brayshawfinancial.com

• If the S&P 500 is up 10%, why isn't my portfolio?
  Because the S&P 500 is cap-weighted: seven stocks absorb about a third of every dollar, and the top 10 holdings make up 35–55% of most S&P funds. In 2026 those mega-caps lagged — the Mag Seven are collectively negative — while sectors like energy (+28.1%) and technology (+26.8%) led. If your ETFs overlap in the same top names, you own the laggards several times over. The fix starts with knowing what you actually own.