The American Dream is evolving. Professional guidance should evolve as well.

07/14/2026 — Americans are known for their resilience. That’s held true this year even as we’ve faced a wide range of challenges, from rising prices to economic volatility. Financial success still matters to Americans, but these challenges are changing how they’re defining success. According to the first-ever Nationwide Financial Growth & Protection Index, powered by the Nationwide Retirement Institute^®, consumers are slightly more protection-oriented than growth-oriented in 2026. 

We developed the Nationwide Financial Growth & Protection Index to measure how Americans balance their orientation toward financial growth and protection. The initial reading, based on a survey we conducted in May this year, came in at 54 on a 100-point scale. A score over 50 indicates Americans lean more toward a protection orientation, while under 50 indicates Americans are more focused on growth.

Our Index suggests many Americans aren’t giving up on their financial dreams; they’re taking a more defensive stance when making financial decisions—focused on protecting their personal and household finances, preserving progress and avoiding setbacks.

Americans are redefining the American Dream

Today’s economic pressures are reshaping the American Dream with many people prioritizing protection over wealth accumulation. Some of the ways Americans are responding to these pressures include: 

• Three-quarters (75%) say their primary financial focus is covering basic expenses.
• Nearly seven in 10 (68%) reduced spending over the past year to improve their financial situation.
• 45% dipped into savings to cover essential expenses.

These responses likely contribute to how Americans’ views of financial success are evolving: 84% say the American Dream is now more about financial stability than building wealth. The same percentage believe it is harder to get ahead financially than it was for previous generations.

These results also highlight opportunities for financial guidance and the importance of financial professionals evolving with the American mindset. People still want to build wealth, but today's environment has made financial stability and resilience just as important as accumulation. You can help clients find the path to financial success by designing financial plans to help them accomplish both objectives. 

Professional guidance can close the gap between expectations and reality

Despite the shifting economic landscape, Americans remain optimistic about their financial future and are poised to take action. In our survey, 7 in 10 (70%) believe they can significantly improve their financial situation over the next five years. 

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However, our Index highlights a potential gap between the financial future Americans expect and their plans to achieve it. As a financial professional, you can help your clients close this gap. 

The good news is many people are open to your guidance. According to our survey, 74% say they would be more likely to work with a financial professional who could help protect them financially. This creates a clear role for financial professionals: helping clients balance both growth and protection in ways that align with their current circumstances and their long-term financial goals.

Income security is critical before and during retirement

Planning for retirement is a primary opportunity for financial professionals to make a difference in addressing clients’ evolving needs. For years, the focus of retirement planning has been on investment growth and wealth accumulation. But with more people prioritizing protection—combined with greater longevity—many are seeking guidance on retirement account withdrawals to ensure their savings last as long as they may need it.

In this case, people may have good intentions—more than 8 in 10 (81%) say they would prefer guaranteed, predictable retirement income over higher-growth investments—but many have not implemented the strategies to deliver it. In fact, only 24% of those surveyed currently have solutions or strategies to reduce market risk in retirement.

Employer-sponsored retirement plans are the most common retirement savings vehicle among Americans, creating an important opportunity for retirement planning professionals to help workers build strategies that support long-term growth while preparing for unexpected challenges.

Protecting income before retirement also presents a crucial planning opportunity. Just 30% of Americans have taken steps to protect against income loss due to illness or injury, and more than one-quarter (27%) say they would not be financially protected if their household's primary income earner could no longer work. 

This is another case where clients may aspire to financial security but may not have the safeguards in place to achieve it. In your role as a financial professional, you can offer solutions to help close this gap and help clients feel more secure about their financial future.

The support you need as your guidance evolves

The first reading from the Nationwide Financial Growth & Protection Index suggests retirement planning is entering a new chapter. Building wealth remains essential, but many people also want confidence that their savings can support them through market volatility, longer lifespans and life's unexpected challenges. There’s an opportunity for financial professionals and sponsors of workplace retirement plans to bring growth and protection together to better reflect how Americans are preparing for retirement today.

As a trusted partner to your business, Nationwide offers tools and resources to help you address your clients' needs for building wealth and protecting income. Solutions from our full suite of annuities, life insurance, mutual funds and workplace retirement plans simplify the complexities of retirement planning so you can better prepare your clients for a more secure financial future.