Younger Generations Plan for Retirement Without Relying on State Pension

Why it matters locally: This national trend has specific relevance for New Jersey, which manages one of the largest public employee pension funds in the country. The financial stability and future solvency of the New Jersey Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) and other state pension funds are ongoing topics of discussion in the state legislature and directly impact government employees and taxpayers.

---

Many younger adults are adjusting their long-term financial plans, operating under the assumption that the state pension system may not be available when they reach retirement age. Surveys exploring generational attitudes towards retirement consistently show that a substantial portion of Gen Z holds this view. These individuals report that they do not expect to receive a state pension in their later years. This outlook shapes their current financial decisions regarding savings and investments. This trend suggests a shift in how younger generations approach future financial security, moving away from past reliance on state-provided retirement benefits. Instead, they are exploring private savings and investment strategies to secure their financial futures.