Americans Are Feeling a Little Better About Their Retirement Crisis

Whether the U.S. is or isn't facing a retirement crisis isn't a matter of debate for the majority of Americans. A new poll shows that 86 percent of people agree that it's a crisis. And it's hardly just those approaching retirement who see it that way. When the generation just starting to plan for retirement—them millennials—are singled out in the data, 92 percent agreed.

At the same time, the results from a report released Tuesday by the National Institute on Retirement Security (NIRI) show fewer Americans are worried they won't have enough money to be self-sufficient in old age. Every two years, NIRI polls to see how Americans feel about (oxymoron alert) financial security in retirement, as well as their views on government policies that could make the retirement picture less bleak. This year, overall results showed the percent of those concerned about their retirement outlook falling to 74 percent, from 85 percent in 2013. As well, more of those lucky people with pension plans now expect the money to be there when they retire—84 percent, up from 79 percent in 2013.