Nearly half of Gen Z Americans believe retirement will be impossible by 2065 as housing costs could reach a staggering $682,120 and AI doctors replace human physicians.
Key Takeaways
- 48% of Gen Z Americans believe retirement won’t be an option for most people in 40 years, with 64% agreeing younger generations will have worse retirement experiences than baby boomers.
- The average home cost in 2065 is predicted to skyrocket to $682,120, with only 35% of current non-homeowners believing they will ever own a home.
- Americans foresee a technology-dominated future with AI doctors, smart home systems, and robot caregivers becoming commonplace.
- 39% predict a society run entirely on digital currency by 2065, with 36% expecting biometric payment methods to replace traditional transactions.
- Survey respondents estimate needing an average household income of $508,950 and retirement savings of $3.54 million to live comfortably in 2065.
The American Dream Becoming Financially Unattainable
The leftist economic policies driving today’s inflation may create an insurmountable financial burden for future generations. According to a comprehensive survey of 2,000 Americans conducted by Talker Research for LevLane, the average home price is projected to reach an astronomical $682,120 by 2065. This housing crisis is already taking shape, with only 41% of survey respondents currently owning homes. The outlook is even bleaker for the future, as 25% of non-homeowners expect to rent for their entire lives, unable to achieve the cornerstone of the American Dream that previous generations took for granted.
The financial requirements for comfortable living in 2065 appear increasingly out of reach for average Americans. Respondents estimate needing a household income of $508,950 just to maintain a middle class lifestyle, while retirement savings requirements could balloon to $3.54 million. These projections reveal the devastating long term impact of current fiscal policies that prioritize government spending over economic stability, creating a future where financial security becomes a luxury rather than an expectation for hardworking citizens.
Retirement Crisis Looming for Younger Generations
The retirement landscape for future Americans appears increasingly dire, with technology potentially serving as both solution and symptom of deeper economic problems. A shocking 48% of Gen Z respondents believe retirement won’t even be an option for most Americans by 2065, revealing profound pessimism about their financial futures. This generation, raised during an era of expanding government control and spending, anticipates a retirement experience drastically worse than baby boomers enjoyed, with 64% agreeing that younger generations face bleaker prospects in their golden years.
As traditional retirement becomes financially unattainable, Americans are exploring alternative models. The survey reveals 51% anticipate turning to digital alternatives for retirement care due to affordability concerns. This signals a fundamental transformation in how Americans view their later years, with technology potentially filling gaps created by economic failings. Gen Z’s retirement preferences diverge significantly from baby boomers, with 29% planning to retire with family, 20% wanting to travel, and smaller percentages seeking hobby farms (17%), off-grid living (16%), or co-living communities with friends (15%).
“This research offers a striking look at how Americans, especially younger generations, are reimagining the future,” said Kelly Sizemore, chief growth officer at LevLane. From housing and health care to income and retirement, people are clearly preparing for a world where traditional milestones are being reshaped by technology, cost pressures and cultural shifts. But, these insights don’t just highlight anxieties, they also reveal how people expect innovation to rise and meet evolving needs. It’s a call to brands, institutions and policymakers to listen, adapt and lead with empathy and foresight.
Technology Transforming Daily Life and Healthcare
Americans anticipate technology will fundamentally transform nearly every aspect of daily life by 2065, including healthcare delivery. The survey indicates a future where AI doctors become commonplace, potentially replacing human physicians for many routine consultations. This shift, while offering increased accessibility, raises serious concerns about the quality and personalization of medical care. Additionally, 30% of respondents foresee living with implanted health monitors, revealing a future where bodily autonomy and privacy concerns may be sacrificed for convenience and health management.
Home life appears poised for dramatic technological integration. Approximately 35% of respondents expect households to be run by smart home AI technology by 2065, while 32% anticipate having robot roommates, housekeepers, or caregivers. This technological dependency comes with significant privacy and security implications that conservative Americans should carefully consider. The traditional American household could be fundamentally transformed, with technology potentially replacing human relationships and interactions in concerning ways that undermine traditional family structures and values.
Digital Economy Replacing Traditional Systems
A digital financial revolution appears imminent, with 39% of respondents forecasting a society run entirely on digital currency by 2065. This shift away from physical cash toward government controlled digital transactions raises serious concerns about financial freedom and privacy for conservative Americans. Additionally, 36% predict biometric payment methods will become standard, potentially creating a system where personal biological data becomes required for basic commerce and transactions, further eroding individual privacy and autonomy in frightening ways.
“The picture painted here isn’t just about economic uncertainty, it’s about a shift in values,” said Chris Moreira, chief creative officer at LevLane. Younger generations are signaling that the future they imagine isn’t rooted in excess, but in connection, flexibility and purpose. Whether it’s redefining retirement, rethinking ownership or embracing new technologies, the challenge and opportunity lies in designing a future that reflects these evolving priorities.
Work patterns are also expected to evolve substantially, with respondents predicting the average workweek will shrink to approximately 30 hours or four days by 2065. While potentially offering improved work-life balance, this change raises questions about productivity, economic output, and whether Americans’ incomes can support their needs in an increasingly expensive future. The combination of shorter work hours and exponentially higher costs of living creates a concerning economic equation that President Trump’s policies aim to address through fiscal responsibility and economic growth.
