5 Everyday Bills Retirees Are Struggling To Afford in 2026

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Nearly half of today’s retirees are having trouble keeping up with basic costs. A new Clever Real Estate survey found that 46% of current retirees struggle to pay at least some of their monthly expenses, with everyday essentials creating the most pressure for those living on fixed incomes.

Here is a look at the bills retirees say are hardest to afford in 2026 — and the economic forces driving the strain.

The Everyday Bills Retirees Are Struggling To Cover

According to the survey, several core household expenses are weighing heavily on retirees’ budgets:

• Groceries (28%)
• Utilities (22%)
• Credit card bills (18%)
• Insurance bills (17%)
• Phone/internet/cable bills (16%)

Additionally, retirees report struggling to pay medical bills (15%) and mortgage or rent bills (12%).

These are some of the most essential and least flexible parts of a budget — which is why they’re becoming such a challenge for retirees to absorb.

“Groceries and utility bills are a unique challenge for retirees because over the past few decades, they’ve grown in a relatively stable and predictable way,” said Nick Pisano, data writer for Clever Real Estate. “But in the 2020s, both have generally increased far faster than the overall inflation rate, which could seriously affect the budget plans of those on fixed incomes, such as retirees.”

And unlike discretionary expenses, these are simply nonnegotiable categories.

“Outside of housing, there’s nothing more fundamental than feeding yourself and keeping the lights on, and many might be unwilling or unable to cut their budgets further in these areas,” Pisano said.

Why Rising Costs Are Squeezing Retirees’ Budgets

For many retirees, the problem isn’t poor planning — it’s the pace of rising prices in areas they expected to remain relatively stable. The survey shows retirees are struggling most with expenses that have seen some of the steepest increases, especially groceries and utilities.

“Retirees struggle to pay expenses where inflation and price increases have hit hardest,” Pisano said.

When budgets are built around fixed income sources like Social Security or pension payments, unexpected cost jumps can quickly erode financial security. Even small increases in essential categories can create ripple effects across the rest of a retiree’s budget.

Property Taxes Are Climbing Faster Than Expected

Another major pressure point is housing-related costs. The survey found that 43% of current retirees say they pay more than expected for property taxes, which reflects the steep increases in home values in many parts of the U.S. over the past few years.

“Although many states offer some sort of homestead exemption or deduction, particularly for seniors, price spikes this sharp are bound to affect a significant number of retirees,” Pisano said.

Having to funnel more money toward taxes means less money that can go toward everyday bills.

As inflation reshapes the cost of essentials from food to housing, retirees living on fixed incomes are feeling the squeeze. With nearly half struggling to keep up, rising household expenses may force more retirees to reevaluate budgets, postpone certain costs or look for new ways to stretch limited resources in the years ahead.

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