Retirees Are Spending More Than They Planned on 4 Key Things in 2026
Written by
Crystal Mayer
Edited by
Jenna Klaverweiden
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A survey from Clever Real Estate found that retirees believe it will, on average, take $823,000 in savings and investments to retire comfortably in 2026. Unfortunately, not many retirees have this amount of money in their account. In fact, only 23% of retirees had $500,000 or more saved.
For many, expenses during retirement have exceeded expectations. When surveyed, current retirees said they paid more than they anticipated on a wide variety of items. Here are four key things retirees are spending more than they planned on.
Also see how much retirees spend every month, plus the one expense that shocks them.
Groceries
According to the survey, 67% of retirees said they are spending more than they planned on groceries. Within that group, 27% said they are spending “significantly more” at the grocery store. Only 7% of respondents said they were spending less on groceries.
Data provided by CBS News showed that food prices overall have increased over 18% since 2022. Retirees on a reduced or fixed income can be deeply impacted by these price hikes. Luckily for retirees, many retailers offer senior discounts between 5% and 10% on designated days, per AARP.
Insurance Premiums
Another area where retirees report paying more is with insurance premiums. When surveyed, 60% of retirees said they spent more than predicted on home, health and auto insurance premiums. Of those, 22% said the additional expense was substantial. Just 5% of retirees reported spending less than expected.
While many retirees may be on a reduced income, 39% said they don’t stick to a strict budget. Adding to money challenges, 35% noted that they have provided financial support to their children or grandchildren since retiring.
Retirees, needing to reduce costs on insurance, could shop around for the best price or make sure they are taking advantage of discounts provided by their insurer.
Property Taxes
When asked, 43% of retirees reported spending more on property taxes than they expected.
Property taxes can vary significantly depending on the state. According to Rocket Mortgage, New Jersey has the highest effective tax rate at 2.23%. Hawaiians pay the lowest effective tax rate at 0.27%, but retirees in the state have to contend with home prices that are substantially higher than the nationwide average.
Medical Care
Medical care is another area where retirees are reporting paying more. The survey found that 37% of retirees said they were spending more than expected on medical care, including prescriptions, during retirement. Additionally, 15% reported struggling to pay medical bills, such as costs related to prescriptions, treatments and appointments.
A study by Fidelity found that someone 65 years old may need over $172,000 in after-tax savings to cover healthcare costs during retirement. The costs often far exceed what a retiree plans for during their golden years. One way to offset costs, per Fidelity, is through a health savings account. The account is touted as a tax-efficient vehicle for saving on healthcare expenses.
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