NEW YORK, Aug. 13, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Just one in five (21%) self-employed Americans can afford to contribute regularly to retirement, according to a new survey by digital retirement provider PensionBee. The findings underscore a stark gap between these workers and employees with access to employer-sponsored plans, at a time when gig work is on track to make up the majority of the U.S. workforce.
48% of self-employed Americans save for retirement, but more than half of that group do so irregularly, only putting away money when extra cash is available. Among the 52% not saving at all, 71% say they cannot afford it. Other reasons cited include retirement “not being a financial priority” (12%) and “not thinking about it yet” (12%).
“It’s common to hear people say, ‘I won’t ever retire,’ and that’s everyone’s choice. But having enough saved for retirement ensures that it truly is a choice and not a decision made out of necessity,” said Romi Savova, CEO of PensionBee.
Nearly one in four (24%) self-employed Americans don’t plan to fully retire. That figure jumps to 31% among those not saving and falls to 12% among consistent savers, suggesting financial necessity, not personal choice, drives this decision.
Economic …