Boldin Survey Reveals Retirement Planning Dramatically Reduces Financial Anxiety

A recent survey conducted by financial confidence company Boldin reveals that retirement uncertainties generate more fear than traditional Halloween terrors for many Americans. The study, which polled over 1,000 financially savvy individuals, found that 66% considered their pre-planning retirement fears more frightening than walking alone in woods on a dark Halloween night.

The online survey conducted on October 10, 2025, examined emotional states before respondents created retirement plans through Boldin's platform. Results showed retirement concerns were pervasive, with 67% reporting regular worry before establishing a plan. More than a quarter (27%) described retirement fears as weighing on them quite a bit, while 40% felt somewhat worried and 26% were slightly concerned. Only 3% reported no anxiety about retirement.

Financial security emerged as the dominant concern, with 39% of respondents identifying running out of money or outliving savings as their greatest fear before creating a retirement plan. Other significant worries included inability to afford desired retirement lifestyles (19%) and uncertainty about preparing for future unknowns like market volatility, inflation, or economic disruptions (17%).

The survey demonstrates that written retirement plans substantially alleviate these fears. After implementing plans, 96% of users reported increased confidence in their financial future, including 68% who felt much more confident and 28% somewhat more confident. Only 3% indicated that having a plan didn't change their outlook. Current emotional states reflect this transformation, with 46% describing themselves as confident about retirement, 49% as somewhat confident, and only 4% as anxious. Notably, no Boldin users reported outright fear about their financial future after plan implementation.

Steve Chen, Founder and CEO of Boldin, noted that the data confirms user experiences showing dramatically increased confidence following retirement plan creation. The company's mission focuses on making financial planning accessible and affordable through tools available at Boldin.com, enabling individuals to build financial knowledge and make informed decisions.

Users reported several proactive steps that enhanced their retirement security. Running what-if scenarios and contingency planning helped 66% feel more secure, while 43% established guaranteed income streams through pensions, Social Security, or annuities. Additional confidence-building strategies included becoming debt-free (36%), consistent saving and investing (34%), and seeking professional financial guidance (26%).

While financial concerns dominated retirement anxieties, health-related worries also featured prominently. More than half (57%) identified financial challenges including healthcare costs and loss of financial control as their primary anxiety source, while 43% expressed greater concern about non-financial issues like declining health, loss of purpose, or social isolation.

The survey methodology involved polling 1,053 Boldin users from 1,111 invitations, achieving a 95% response rate. Financially savvy Americans were defined as individuals creating and managing their own financial plans through Boldin's platform. The company currently serves over 350,000 individuals managing more than $300 billion in assets, with users reporting 94% higher retirement savings than the national average according to a June 2023 internal survey.