Only 1 in 4 Americans Think Now Is A Good Time To Invest, Allianz Life Study Finds

Half say they made changes to their investments to make them less risky because of recent market volatility.

KEY FINDINGS:

• 62% worry that a major recession is right about the corner
• 71% are concerned that continued market volatility could negatively impact their long-term financial plan
• 50% made changes to their investments to make them less risky because of recent market volatility

MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Americans are growing more cautious about investing as concerns about a potential recession and ongoing market volatility rise, according to the Q2 2026 Quarterly Market Perceptions Study* from the Allianz Center for the Future of Retirement, part of Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America (Allianz Life).

About three in five (62%) worry that a major recession is right around the corner. This is up from 54% last quarter. Boomers (57%) are less likely to have this worry than Gen X (62%), millennials (65%) and Gen Z (63%).

Just one in four (25%) Americans think it is a good time to invest in the market right now, down from 34% last quarter. The last time this few Americans thought it was a good time to invest was in Q2 of 2022 during a surge in inflation. The majority (71%) are concerned that continued market volatility could negatively impact their long-term financial plan.

“Market volatility makes it more difficult for Americans to feel confident about your financial future,” says Kelly LaVigne, VP of consumer insights, Allianz Life. “During times of volatility like we have experienced recently, Americans may pull back or reduce risk exposure. A financial professional can help create a strategy that includes protection to help reduce the impact of volatility and support long-term retirement goals. These findings highlight a growing need for strategies that help manage risk while maintaining long-term growth potential.”

Americans are taking action to reduce risk in their portfolio. The majority of Americans (58%) say they are looking to add more protection to their portfolio after recent market volatility. Half say they have made changes to their investments to make them less risky because of recent market volatility. Gen Zers (59%) are more likely than millennials (55%), Gen Xers (45%) and boomers (41%) to have done this.

At the same time, less than half (47%) say they are comfortable with taking on more risk with their retirement investments to neutralize the effect of inflation. This is down from 54% last quarter.

More than three in five (62%) would stop using their current financial professional if they didn’t help them reduce exposure to market volatility.

Gen Z has highest levels of job anxiety

Younger Americans in particular is feeling financially strained. Gen Z are most likely to be concerned they will be laid off because of an economic downturn in 2026 (62%), compared to millennials (47%) and Gen X (37%).

Three in four (75%) Gen Zers say they have not been able to contribute to their savings as much in the past six months due to the current economic environment.

“Younger investors are feeling the strain of today’s economic uncertainty in very real ways from concerns about job security to reduced ability to save,” says LaVigne. “The good news is they have time on their side. Starting early with a strategy that balances growth opportunities with protection can help them navigate volatility now while building a stronger foundation for the future.”

* Allianz Center for the Future of Retirement conducted an online survey, the Q2 2026 Quarterly Market Perceptions Study in May 2026 with a nationally representative sample of 1,003 respondents age 18+ in the contiguous U.S.

The Allianz Center for the Future of Retirement produces insights and research as a part of Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America.

About Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America

Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America (Allianz Life), one of the Ethisphere World’s Most Ethical Companies®, has been trusted since 1896 to help millions of Americans prepare for financial uncertainties and retirement with a variety of innovative risk management solutions. In 2025, Allianz Life provided additional value to its policyholders via distributions of more than $18.7 billion. Allianz Life is a leading provider of fixed index annuities, registered index-linked annuities, and indexed universal life insurance. Additionally, Allianz Investment Management LLC (AllianzIM), a registered investment adviser and wholly owned subsidiary of Allianz Life, manages the suite of AllianzIM exchange-traded funds (ETFs). Allianz Life and AllianzIM are part of Allianz SE, a global leader in the financial services industry with more than 156,000 employees in nearly 70 countries. Allianz Life is a proud sponsor of Allianz Field® in St. Paul, Minnesota, home of Major League Soccer’s Minnesota United.