When it comes to retirement, people are dreaming small

 The Ipsos Consumer Tracker asks Americans questions about culture, the economy and the forces that shape our lives. Here's one thing we learned this week.

Why we asked: This question about retirement goals came in from the submission box. Which isn’t really a formal thing, but maybe it should be: If you’re reading this and have something you’d like us to ask 1,000 Americans, by all means suggest it.

What we found: So, we asked employed people about what their top three retirement savings goals are. And well, they’re not really aspirational in an “American Dream” retirement-that-we-see-in-movies kind of way. People’s top priorities are really day-to-day mundane things like living expenses (43%), paying down debt (31%) and medical bills (28%). Domestic travel and passing on wealth to family round out the top five. By the time you make it to something fun like international travel, only 23% chose that as a top-three priority. This certainly strikes us as reasonable, especially considering the low rates of Americans who have saved anything at all – as many as half of all adults and one in four of those age 50+. But still, it’s a little depressing that our dreams aren’t very dreamy at all.

Natural wonders top our bucket list travel destinations

Why we asked: We wanted to force the issue a bit. Say you had to dream about travel and more fun bucket list experiences. What would you choose?

What we found: Scenic wonders topped our bucket lists, edging out the specific natural experience that is the luxury beach get-away. Those two items are agreed on by people regardless of economic status. And note this was asked of everyone regardless of their current employment or retirement status. Lower income (under $50k) prioritize experiences and off-the-beaten-path destinations next whereas people with higher incomes choose iconic world landmarks like the Great Wall of China or wildlife adventures like safaris. However, nearly one in four lower-income Americans (and 17% overall) say they have no dreams of travel whatsoever. Which, well…. says a lot about a lot of things.

More insights from this wave of the Ipsos Consumer Tracker:

Have shortages conditioned us to pay more for groceries?

Fewer Americans say they have flexibility in where they work

Half of Americans never think they'll get COVID again

Why America's childless cat ladies are more than just Taylor Swift

The Ipsos Care-o-Meter: What does America know about vs. what does America care about?