Portland Adults Are Especially Worried About Affording Major Financial Milestones

PORTLAND, Ore., August 3, 2026 – Adults in Portland are starting to save for retirement slightly earlier than the national average, but many still worry that major financial milestones may remain out of reach. The pressure is especially pronounced around buying a home, retiring and leaving an inheritance.

These are among the local findings from Northwestern Mutual’s 2026 Planning & Progress Study, the company’s proprietary research series that explores Americans’ attitudes, behaviors, and beliefs toward money, financial decision-making, and the broader issues impacting long-term financial security.

Portland’s milestone affordability concerns stand out

More than one-third of Portland residents (34%) worry they may never be able to afford buying a house, compared with 19% nationally. Three in 10 also worry they may never be able to afford retiring (30%) or leaving an inheritance (30%), both above the national figures of 23% and 27%, respectively.

The data also show that 30% of Portland residents say financial challenges have caused them to delay buying a house, compared with 18% nationally.

“The story that stands out in Portland is affordability,” said Clay Cooper, wealth management advisor with Clearview Financial Partners, a Northwestern Mutual affiliate. “Whether it’s buying a home, planning for retirement or building a legacy for the next generation, many people feel like major financial milestones are getting harder to reach. The good news is that a thoughtful financial plan can help turn uncertainty into action by breaking big goals into manageable steps.”

Portland residents are preparing for longer working lives

Portland residents began saving for retirement at an average age of 30 – about a year earlier than the national average of 31. Still, one-third (33%) say they have not started saving for retirement yet, matching the national rate.

Among working non-retirees, 69% of Portland residents expect to retire at age 65 or later, compared with 65% nationally. The average expected retirement age in Portland is 66, above the national average of 65.

“What’s encouraging is that Portland residents are beginning to save for retirement at a relatively young age,” said Cooper. “Starting early gives you something incredibly valuable: time. Even modest savings can grow significantly when people stay disciplined and give their investments time to work.”

AI adds another layer of career uncertainty

Portland residents are more pessimistic than the national average about artificial intelligence’s potential impact on their careers. Four in 10 Portland residents (40%) say they are pessimistic about AI’s career impact, compared with 33% nationally. Only 17% say they are optimistic, compared with 23% nationally.

About the 2026 Northwestern Mutual Planning & Progress Study

The 2026 Planning & Progress Study was conducted by The Harris Poll on behalf of Northwestern Mutual among 4,375 U.S. adults aged 18 or older. The survey was conducted online between January 5 and January 21, 2026. Data are weighted where necessary by age, gender, race/ethnicity, region, education, marital status, household size, household income, and propensity to be online to bring them in line with their actual proportions in the population. A complete survey methodology is available.

About Northwestern Mutual

Northwestern Mutualhas been helping people and businesses achieve financial security for more than 165 years. Through a comprehensive planning approach, Northwestern Mutual combines the expertise of itsfinancial professionalswitha personalized digital experience and industry-leading products to help its clients plan for what's most important. With more than$780 billionof total assets¹ managed across the company's institutional portfolio as well as retail investment client portfolios, more than$40 billion in revenues, and$2.5 trillionworth of life insurance protection in force, Northwestern Mutual delivers financial security to more than five million people with life insurance, disability income insurance, long-term care insurance, annuities, and brokerage and advisory services. Northwestern Mutual ranked 109 on the 2026FORTUNE500 and was recognized byFORTUNE®as one of the "World's Most Admired" life insurance companies in 2026.

Northwestern Mutual is the marketing name for The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company (NM),Milwaukee, WI(life and disability insurance, annuities, and life insurance with long-term care benefits) and its subsidiaries. Subsidiaries include Northwestern Mutual Investment Services, LLC (NMIS) (investment brokerage services), broker-dealer, registered investment adviser, member FINRA and SIPC; the Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Company® (NMWMC) (investment advisory and services), federal savings bank; and Northwestern Long Term Care Insurance Company (NLTC) (long-term care insurance). Not all Northwestern Mutual representatives are advisors. Only those representatives with "Advisor" in their title or who otherwise disclose their status as an advisor of NMWMC are credentialed as NMWMC representatives to provide investment advisory services.

¹ Includes investments and separate account assets of Northwestern Mutual as well as retail investment assets held or managed for clients.