Americans say inflation has put the FIRE movement out of reach - USA Today
A recent survey indicates that 71% of workers believe the FIRE (Financial Independence, Retire Early) movement is no longer realistic due to persistent inflation and rising costs of living. Data shows that Americans are increasingly delaying retirement as personal savings rates hit multi-year lows.
Why it matters
The shift in retirement expectations highlights the tangible impact of long-term inflation on middle-class financial planning and the viability of popular lifestyle movements.
Hear this story Has inflation doused the FIRE movement?
Popularized in the 1990s, the Financial Independence, Retire Early movement inspires workers to maximize savings, spend modestly and stop working well before the age range most Americans associate with retirement.
Massive stock gains in recent years have rewarded FIRE savers. But rising prices may have hindered them from saving.
Consumer prices are up about 27% since the start of 2021. Persistent inflation is a big reason why Americans saved only 4.1% of their disposable income in August 2026, the lowest personal savings rate recorded since 2022.
In a recent survey by MyPerfectResume, the resume-building platform, 71% of workers said FIRE is unrealistic now for most people. The survey reached 1,000 workers in May 2026.
“There’s certainly a gap between the appeal of financial independence and workers’ ability to pursue it,” said Toni Frana , a career expert at MyPerfectResume.
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