Skip to main content

The context you need, when you need it

When news breaks, you need to understand what actually matters — and what to do about it. At Vox, our mission to help you make sense of the world has never been more vital. But we can’t do it on our own.

We rely on readers like you to fund our journalism. Will you support our work and become a Vox Member today?

Join now

Why it’s so hard for Americans to retire

There’s a reason so many of us don’t have enough retirement savings.

Laura Bult
Laura Bult Laura Bult is a video journalist covering climate, the environment, agriculture and urbanism, among other things. She’d love to hear from you: laura.bult@voxmedia.com.

By the standards of most financial experts, Americans are woefully behind on saving for retirement. The reason why is rooted in changes to the country’s retirement system that resulted in a flawed design for how people set aside money.

In this video, we interviewed four people about their level of retirement preparedness and two experts about the state of retirement readiness in the US. One culprit lies in changes to the country’s pension system, which sets the US apart from countries like Australia and the UK, which help people save money for retirement.

Sources and further reading:

Subscribe to our channel and turn on notifications so you don’t miss any videos!

This video is presented by Metro by T-Mobile. Metro has no editorial influence on our videos, but their support makes videos like this possible.

More in Video

Video
Why Americans can’t escape credit card debtWhy Americans can’t escape credit card debt
Play
Video

Credit card APRs are now as high as 20 percent.

By Frank Posillico
Video
Why some couples are happier living apartWhy some couples are happier living apart
Play
Video

This growing relationship trend might change the way you think about living with your romantic partner.

By Gina Pollack
Video
The strange myth behind carrots and night visionThe strange myth behind carrots and night vision
Play
Video

How we fell for World War II propaganda.

By Nate Krieger
Video
Are team sports the secret to living longer?Are team sports the secret to living longer?
Play
Video

How a basketball league for “grannies” is reimagining aging.

By Benjamin Stephen
Video
How Georgia manufactured the Peach State mythHow Georgia manufactured the Peach State myth
Play
Video

It was never really about the fruit.

By Frank Posillico
Video
How smart design can benefit senior livingHow smart design can benefit senior living
Play
Video

And why it matters for retirement communities.

By Lindsey Sitz