Small Business
Guardian report finds small business owners' confidence may be masking financial vulnerabilities
Small business owners are setting ambitious goals and looking to the future with confidence, but a new report from The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America® (Guardian) suggests many may be pursuing those ambitions without necessary financial safeguards.
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"Big Goals, Fragile Foundations" examines how gaps in retirement readiness, succession planning, and financial protection could threaten owners' long-term goals NEW YORK, July 14, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Small business owners are setting ambitious goals and looking to the future with confidence, but a new report from The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America® ( Guardian ) suggests many may be pursuing those ambitions without necessary financial safeguards. Read the full 'Big Goals, Fragile Foundations' report here . Confidence outpaces preparedness According to the report, small business owners express strong confidence in their future, with 86% saying they're on track to meeting their financial goals and 60% reporting they feel very confident about the outlook for their business. Yet that optimism is not always backed by preparedness. Fewer than half (47%) rate their financial management skills highly. External pressures also continue to weigh heavily, with 42% citing the economy, cost of living, and inflation as their top stressors. Additionally, nearly two-thirds of small business owners say they've experienced a significant personal stressful event in the past two years. "Small business owners invest enormous amounts of time, energy, and personal commitment into building their businesses. For many, their business is also their largest financial asset," said Nancy DeRusso, Head of Client Solutions at Guardian. "Without the right financial strategies in place, owners may face challenges turning that hard-earned value into long-term financial security. A financial advisor can help connect business, personal, retirement, and protection goals so owners are better positioned to capitalize on what they've built." Not (fully) retiring to fund retirement Retirement planning is the clear priority for small business owners, and 67% believe they are on track with their retirement savings. Nevertheless, 70% of small business owners say retirement means "not fully retiring"—they plan to work or at least consider working in some capacity. More than a quarter of small business owners also say they only need to plan for fewer than 10 years of being fully retired. This discrepancy can signal uncertainty about whether accumulated savings will truly cover a longer retirement horizon. According to the report, 40% of small business owners currently worry about outliving their savings and only 34% have a guaranteed income source in retirement. Owners are leaving value unprotected Although retirement planning is top-of-mind for small business owners, many have not taken the steps to ensure they can successfully transition, protect, or monetize the business they've spent years building.