Business
National Survey: Middle‑Income Americans Continue to Navigate Elevated Cost of Living and Economic Uncertainty
DULUTH, Ga., July 15, 2025--Middle‑income Americans are still adjusting to a higher cost of living and ongoing financial pressures, according to the latest Primerica® U.S. Middle‑Income Financial Security Monitor™ (FSM™). The survey finds that 65% of middle-income Americans believe their income has not kept pace with rising expenses — a sentiment that has remained remarkably consistent for more than four years, highlighting the challenges families feel as prices outpace paychecks.
About this update from Primerica, Inc.
Concerns over money and finances remains at a near-record high DULUTH, Ga., July 15, 2025 --( BUSINESS WIRE )--Middle‑income Americans are still adjusting to a higher cost of living and ongoing financial pressures, according to the latest Primerica ® U.S. Middle‑Income Financial Security Monitor™ (FSM™) . The survey finds that 65% of middle-income Americans believe their income has not kept pace with rising expenses — a sentiment that has remained remarkably consistent for more than four years, highlighting the challenges families feel as prices outpace paychecks. "Middle‑income families are making tough decisions every day to cover the essentials and save for the future, and it continues to shape how they perceive the overall economy, with many feeling less confident and more cautious about what lies ahead," said Glenn J. Williams, CEO of Primerica. "That makes it even more important for families to seek sound financial advice. A financial professional can help families find the money in their budgets, reprioritize expenses and build a realistic path to save for the future. Even starting with a small amount can make a significant difference over time." Middle‑income Americans continue to rate the economy poorly. More than three-quarters (80%) rate it negatively — a figure that has remained consistent over the past year. Amid ongoing economic uncertainty, a strong majority (83%) say they want to take steps to protect themselves financially for the long term — yet only 36% are actually doing so. "The data shows how hard middle‑income families are working to stay afloat in an increasingly uncertain economic landscape," said Amy Crews Cutts, Ph.D., CBE ® , economic consultant to Primerica. "While sentiment shifts slightly from quarter to quarter, concerns about rising costs and financial stability remain top of mind for many households." Additional key findings from Primerica’s Q2 2025 U.S. Middle-Income Financial Security Monitor™ (FSM™): Primerica Financial Security Monitor™ (FSM™) Topline Trends Data About Primerica’s Middle-Income Financial Security Monitor™ (FSM™) Since September 2020, the Primerica Financial Security Monitor™ has surveyed middle-income households quarterly to gain a clear picture of their financial situation, and it coincides with the release of the monthly HBI™ four times annually. Polling was conducted online from June 2-5, 2025. Using Dynamic Online Sampling, Change Research polled 1,241 adults nationwide with incomes between $30,000 and $130,000. Post-stratification weights were made on gender, age, race, education and Census region to reflect the population of these adults based on the five-year averages in the 2021 American Community Survey, published by the U.S. Census. The margin of error is 3.0%. For more information visit Primerica.com/public/financial-security-monitor.html . About Primerica, Inc. Primerica, Inc., headquartered in Duluth, GA, is a leading provider of financial products and services to middle-income households in North America. Independent licensed representatives educate Primerica clients about how to better prepare for a more secure financial future by assessing their needs and providing appropriate solutions through term life insurance, which we underwrite, and mutual funds, annuities and other financial products, which we distribute primarily on behalf of third parties. We insured over 5.5 million lives and had approximately 3.0 million client investment accounts on December 31, 2024. Primerica, through its insurance company subsidiaries, was the #3 issuer of Term Life insurance coverage in the United States and Canada in 2024. Primerica stock is included in the S&P MidCap 400 and the Russell 1000 stock indices and is traded on The New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "PRI". For more information, visit www.primerica.com . View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250714295664/en/ Contacts Media Contact: Gana Ahn 678-431-9266 Email: [email protected] Investor Contact: Nicole Russell 470-564-6663 Email: [email protected]