Fidelity’s 17th Annual Resolutions Study: Americans Preparing for a Year of ‘Planning With Purpose’

Americans prioritizing financial resolutions more than in past years and nearly half resolving to save more money in 2026

More than two-thirds have a plan in place to reach financial goals

Fidelity shares resources and insights to help make and keep financial resolutions

BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--According to Fidelity Investments^®’ 2026 New Year’s Financial Resolutions study, Americans are preparing for a year of “planning with purpose.” This focused, intentional approach to financial planning appears to be part of a resolution revolution: 64% of respondents are considering a financial resolution for 2026, compared with 56% who reported having a financial resolution in 2025. What‘s more, more than one-third of Americans considering a financial resolution (36%) are planning to prioritize making these resolutions more in the year ahead than they have in the past.

The study, which has been conducted for 17 years, reveals the motivation for this disciplined focus may be a result of the many Americans who indicate they are feeling more stressed than in recent years around: finding money to save for goals after paying monthly bills (35%); the ability to pay monthly bills (34%); having enough retirement savings to retire as planned (30%); and the ability to pay for health care costs in retirement (30%). Perhaps not surprising, health care costs remain a top financial stressor, as Fidelity’s recent Retiree Health Care Cost Estimate found that a 65-year-old retiring in 2025 could expect to spend an average of $172,500 in health care and medical expenses throughout retirement, which is up more than 4% compared to 2024.

Despite the near-term financial headwinds being experienced by many, there are strong indications Americans have been taking a more mindful approach toward their finances in order to weather the storm, which has been helping. In fact, more than two-thirds (70%) of respondents see themselves in a better or similar financial situation than they were the same time last year (compared to 67% in 2024), perhaps in part as a result of recent strong market performance and positive savings behavior. Additionally, significantly more people are feeling better about their finances today than they did 5 years ago (43% vs 36% who said the same last year).

“This past year has been a financial rollercoaster for many Americans – from rising prices in various areas to market volatility and then a rebound in the second half of the year,” says Amanda Lott, Head of Financial Planning and Advice Capabilities at Fidelity Investments. “Committing to purposeful financial planning in all market environments is a smart strategy and helps to build confidence and lays a strong foundation for achieving short and long-term financial goals.”

Rising costs, rising concerns
Looking ahead to 2026, respondents are most focused on the impact of rising everyday prices (45%), reflecting an increase from last year where 37% worried about inflation’s impact on day-to-day costs and saving. This is followed by concerns over unexpected expenses or financial surprises (31%), which was last year’s top concern, and rising health care or insurance costs (28%). Thirty-three percent of respondents expressed having significantly less money in 2025 due to rising everyday prices, and 37% believe they may face that same financial setback in the coming year.

The silver lining: despite these financial worries, 71% of respondents have a plan to reach their financial goals.​ Seventy-eight percent plan to build up their emergency savings, a goal also cited by 1-in-4 respondents (25%) considering a financial resolution for 2026.

For Americans considering a financial resolution in the year ahead, the top resolutions remain consistent with years past: save more money (44%), pay down debt (36%), and spend less (30%).

Short-term financial resolutions remain on the rise
For the second year in a row, Americans considering 'save more money' as one of those financial resolutions are focusing their attention in the coming year on short-term savings goals – including credit card debt, emergency savings, mortgage payments, and big-ticket purchases – more than long-term goals (including retirement, college savings, health care, and long-term care) (52% vs 48%). This marks a shift from previous years, where long-term goals were typically more of a top priority for respondents.

Motivation for making resolutions comes from a mix of sources. Those who make financial resolutions are primarily motivated by the desire for greater peace of mind (49%), living a debt-free life (47%), and getting control of daily expenses (35%). More than a quarter (29%) of respondents are finding inspiration for their financial resolutions from positive past financial experiences they’ve had.

Americans appear to be gaining an increasing realization about the importance of building up emergency savings, too. Nearly three-quarters of Americans experienced a financial setback in 2025, with the top complications being having significantly less money due to rising everyday prices (33%) and an unexpected non-health emergency (20%). Still, if a financial setback were to occur, Americans are more likely to cut back on other expenses (48%) or start a side hustle/get a second job (42%) than dip into emergency savings or take out a loan.

Building a financial plan that sticks
Americans resolving to ‘plan with purpose’ in the year ahead will need to do just that – develop a financial plan. In fact, 80% of respondents believe having a financial plan in place can help them better deal with the unexpected.

There are keys aspects to consider when developing a financial plan that will stick. Among those who say they were able to successfully keep their financial resolution in 2025, the top reasons they were able to do so was because they created a financial goal that was realistic and easy to maintain over the long-term (27%) as well as clear and specific (26%), and it felt good to make progress to help them stick with it (27%). Another route to consider in developing a financial plan is to work with a financial advisor. More than a third (37%) of respondents with a financial advisor feel their advisor could help in creating a financial plan that provides flexibility if priorities change.

“Creating a financial plan that is both purposeful and realistic is essential to achieving financial goals,” says Lott. “Leveraging the right tools and guidance, and taking small, strategic steps aligned with your current financial situation and future aspirations can help build momentum toward long-term financial well-being.”

Helping people unlock their financial potential and build a path to financial security is something Fidelity cares deeply about as it is core to helping individuals achieve financial well-being. To help, Fidelity has a number of free resources to get people started.

• How to balance competing financial priorities: Learn best practices for balancing debt, saving and investing.
• Build a plan: For example, Fidelity can help create a free, flexible plan to make progress toward your retirement goals and objectives: www.fidelity.com/freeplan. Individuals can also contact a planning consultant for help at one of Fidelity’s Investor Centers or by phone at 1-800-FIDELITY (1-800-343-3548).
• Financial education & tools: Fidelity’s learning center is a free online resource created to help people, whether someone is a Fidelity customer or not, plan for and manage life’s most significant moments. This includes free resources, digital tools, newsletters and educational content that breaks down the basics, including investing, planning for retirement, and saving for goals outside of retirement – including emergencies – with Fidelity Goal Booster. Fidelity also offers a variety of educational resources for advisors looking to build more holistic relationships with clients, particularly to help them plan for the future.
• 2026 Financial Preview: Fidelity’s one-stop-shop for guidance on the year ahead. Learn how to find opportunity in a changing market and help you make the most of your money in 2026 with insights on the market, investing, and taxes from our pros.
• Financial Wellness: In January during Financial Wellness Month, Fidelity will launch a new Financial Wellness 2026 Calendar with monthly tips to inspire people to make progress on their goals and help support their financial wellness journey all year long.

About Fidelity Investments’ 17^th Annual New Year’s Financial Resolutions Study
The study presents the findings of a national online survey, consisting of 3,026 U.S. adults, 18 years of age and older. Generations as defined by Pew Research: Baby Boomers are individuals born between 1946 – 1964, Gen X are individuals born between 1965-1980, Millennials include individuals born between 1981 – 1996 and Gen Z includes individuals born between 1997 – 2012. Interviewing for this CARAVAN® Survey was conducted October 1-8, 2025 by Big Village, which is not affiliated with Fidelity Investments. The survey results may not be representative of all adults meeting the same criteria as those surveyed. Go here for more information on Fidelity’s 2026 New Year’s Financial Resolutions Study.

About Fidelity Investments
Fidelity’s goal is to strengthen the financial well-being of our customers and deliver better outcomes for the clients and businesses we serve. Fidelity’s strength comes from the scale of our diversified, market-leading financial services businesses that serve individuals, families, employers, wealth management firms, and institutions. With assets under administration of $17.5 trillion, including discretionary assets of $6.8 trillion as of September 30, 2025, we focus on meeting the unique needs of a broad and growing customer base. Privately held for 79 years, Fidelity employs more than 78,000 associates across the United States, Ireland, and India. For more information about Fidelity Investments, visit https://about.fidelity.com/.

Views expressed are as of the date indicated, based on the information available at that time, and may change based on market or other conditions. Unless otherwise noted, the opinions provided are those of the speaker or author and not necessarily those of Fidelity Investments or its affiliates. Fidelity does not assume any duty to update any of the information.

Keep in mind that investing involves risk. The value of your investment will fluctuate over time, and you may gain or lose money.

Fidelity’s Planning and Guidance centers allows you to create and monitor multiple independent financial goals. **While there is no fee to generate a plan, expenses charged by your investments and other fees associated with trading or transacting in your account would still apply.** You are responsible for determining whether, and how, to implement any financial planning considerations presented, including asset allocation suggestions, and for paying applicable fees. Financial planning does not constitute an offer to sell, a solicitation of any offer to buy, or a recommendation of any security by Fidelity Investments or any third-party.

The Retiree Health Care Cost Estimate (RHCCE) is based on a single person retiring in 2025, 65-years-old, with life expectancies that align with Society of Actuaries' RP-2014 Healthy Annuitant rates projected with Mortality Improvements Scale MP-2020 as of 2022. Actual assets needed may be more or less depending on actual health status, area of residence, and longevity. Estimate is net of taxes. The Fidelity Retiree Health Care Cost Estimate assumes individuals do not have employer-provided retiree health care coverage, but do qualify for the federal government’s insurance program, original Medicare. The calculation takes into account Medicare Part B base premiums and cost-sharing provisions (such as deductibles and coinsurance) associated with Medicare Part A and Part B (inpatient and outpatient medical insurance). It also considers Medicare Part D (prescription drug coverage) premiums and out-of-pocket costs, as well as certain services excluded by original Medicare. The estimate does not include other health-related expenses, such as over-the-counter medications, most dental services and long-term care.

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