Middle-Income Americans' Retirement Confidence Declines
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Feb 18 2026
0mins
Should l Buy CNO?
Source: PRnewswire
- Declining Retirement Confidence: A CNO Financial Group survey reveals that 32% of middle-income Americans aged 50 to 85 feel less confident in their retirement plans compared to last year, highlighting the impact of economic uncertainty and inflation on retirement preparedness.
- Rising Financial Anxiety: 44% of respondents report increased anxiety about their personal finances, with pre-retirees being twice as likely to feel much more anxious than retirees, reflecting heightened concerns about their ability to retire on schedule.
- Eroding Confidence in Social Security: 43% of middle-income Americans express doubts about the future availability of Social Security, while nearly half (47%) believe Medicare benefits will be cut in the future, indicating a significant decline in trust in government safety nets.
- Severe Impact on Women and Pre-Retirees: 25% of women lack confidence in their financial security for retirement, nearly double the rate of men, and 49% of pre-retirees expect to delay retirement by at least a year, demonstrating significant gender and age disparities in retirement confidence.
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Analyst Views on CNO
Wall Street analysts forecast CNO stock price to rise
3 Analyst Rating
3 Buy
0 Hold
0 Sell
Strong Buy
Current: 43.070
Low
47.00
Averages
48.00
High
50.00
Current: 43.070
Low
47.00
Averages
48.00
High
50.00
About CNO
CNO Financial Group, Inc. is a holding company for a group of insurance companies. It provides life and health insurance, annuities, financial services and workforce benefits solutions through its family of brands, including Bankers Life, Colonial Penn, Optavise and Washington National. It is focused on serving middle-income pre-retiree and retired Americans. It markets its products through the Consumer and Worksite Divisions that reflect the customers served by the Company. The Consumer Division serves individual consumers, engaging with them on the phone, virtually, online, face-to-face with agents, or through a combination of sales channels. The Worksite Division focuses on the sale of voluntary benefit life and health insurance products in the workplace for businesses, associations and other membership groups, interacting with customers at their place of employment and virtually. It also offers a suite of voluntary benefits, benefits administration technology and advocacy services.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
CNO Financial Group Honors Volunteer of the Year
- Volunteer Recognition: CNO Financial Group honored Stacy Muentzer Oakey as Volunteer of the Year for her contributions to Scouting America's Pathway to Adventure Council, reflecting the company's commitment to community service.
- Donation Program: Through its 2026 Invested in Giving Back® program, CNO will donate $180,000 to 12 nonprofit organizations, showcasing the company's dedication to supporting community initiatives.
- Service Contribution: In 2025, Muentzer Oakey contributed over 410 hours of volunteer service, including 16 nights of camping and more than 1,500 miles of transportation, ensuring Scouts had access to essential outdoor experiences and events.
- Corporate Mission: CNO Financial Group is dedicated to providing insurance and financial services to middle-income America, managing $38.8 billion in assets with 3,300 employees and 5,000 exclusive agents to help clients achieve financial security.
See More
CNO Financial Group Honors Volunteer of the Year
- Volunteer Recognition: CNO Financial Group honored Stacy Muentzer Oakey as Volunteer of the Year for her outstanding contributions to Scouting America's Pathway to Adventure Council, highlighting the company's commitment to community service.
- Donation Initiative: Through the 2026 Invested in Giving Back program, CNO will donate $180,000 to 12 nonprofit organizations, reflecting the company's support and responsibility towards the community, thereby enhancing its brand image.
- Service Contribution: In 2025, Muentzer Oakey contributed over 410 hours of volunteer service, including 16 nights of camping and over 1,500 miles of transportation, ensuring youth access to essential outdoor experiences and enhancing the organization's impact.
- Community Impact: CNO's Invested in Giving Back program, now in its eighth year, encourages employees to nominate and vote for community projects, fostering employee engagement and strengthening the connection between the company and the community.
See More
Middle-Income Americans' Retirement Confidence Declines
- Declining Retirement Confidence: A CNO Financial Group survey reveals that 32% of middle-income Americans aged 50 to 85 feel less confident in their retirement plans compared to last year, highlighting the impact of economic uncertainty and inflation on retirement preparedness.
- Rising Financial Anxiety: 44% of respondents report increased anxiety about their personal finances, with pre-retirees being twice as likely to feel much more anxious than retirees, reflecting heightened concerns about their ability to retire on schedule.
- Eroding Confidence in Social Security: 43% of middle-income Americans express doubts about the future availability of Social Security, while nearly half (47%) believe Medicare benefits will be cut in the future, indicating a significant decline in trust in government safety nets.
- Severe Impact on Women and Pre-Retirees: 25% of women lack confidence in their financial security for retirement, nearly double the rate of men, and 49% of pre-retirees expect to delay retirement by at least a year, demonstrating significant gender and age disparities in retirement confidence.
See More
CNO Financial Group Announces Director Retirement and Dividend Declaration
- Quarterly Cash Dividend: CNO Financial Group has declared a cash dividend of $0.17 per share, payable on March 24, 2026, which not only demonstrates the company's commitment to shareholder returns but also reflects its stable financial health and profitability.
- Annual Meeting Arrangement: The company will hold its annual shareholder meeting via a virtual live webcast on May 12, 2026, allowing recorded shareholders to participate in voting and questions, enhancing shareholder engagement and transparency through this innovative format.
- Board Member Change: Director Nina Henderson will retire at the end of her term, having served on the board since 2012 and as Chair of the Human Resources and Compensation Committee, her extensive experience has significantly contributed to the company's governance and operations, with the board continuing to consist of nine directors.
- Company Background: CNO Financial Group focuses on securing the future of middle-income America, providing life and health insurance, annuities, and financial services, managing 3.2 million policies and $38.8 billion in total assets, underscoring its significant market position and influence.
See More
CNO Financial Group Reports Strong Q4 2025 Earnings Growth
- Consistent Earnings Growth: CNO Financial Group reported operating earnings per share of $4.02 for Q4 2025, exceeding the high end of original guidance, with an 11% increase in full-year operating earnings per share, demonstrating strong performance and improved profitability in the middle-income market.
- Innovative Product Performance: The company saw a 49% increase in new annualized premiums for Medicare Supplement insurance, marking its best quarter in 15 years, reflecting a shift in consumer preference from Medicare Advantage to Medicare Supplement, thereby solidifying CNO's competitive position in this market.
- Capital Management Returns: CNO returned $386 million to shareholders in 2025, an 11% increase over 2024, and raised its quarterly dividend for the 13th consecutive year, showcasing the company's ongoing commitment to shareholder returns and robust capital management capabilities.
- Outlook for Growth: The CFO projected operating earnings per share for 2026 to be between $4.25 and $4.45, reflecting an 8% growth target at the midpoint, while maintaining an expense ratio of 18.8% to 19.2%, indicating the company's pursuit of sustainable growth in a stable macro environment.
See More
CNO Financial Q4 Earnings Exceed Expectations
- Earnings Beat: CNO Financial reported a Q4 non-GAAP EPS of $1.47, surpassing expectations by $0.26, indicating strong profitability growth that boosts investor confidence.
- Revenue Growth: The company achieved Q4 revenue of $1.14 billion, a 3.6% year-over-year increase, exceeding forecasts by $140 million, demonstrating robust growth momentum and strengthening its market position.
- Dividend Declaration: CNO Financial announced a dividend of $0.17 per share, reflecting its commitment to shareholder returns and showcasing stable cash flow and financial health, which may attract more long-term investors.
- Future Outlook: With the release of Q4 2025 earnings, market expectations for CNO Financial are likely to rise, enhancing investor confidence in the company's future growth potential, which could drive stock price appreciation.
See More
CNO Financial Group Honors Volunteer of the Year
- Volunteer Recognition: CNO Financial Group honored Stacy Muentzer Oakey as Volunteer of the Year for her contributions to Scouting America's Pathway to Adventure Council, reflecting the company's commitment to community service.
- Donation Program: Through its 2026 Invested in Giving Back® program, CNO will donate $180,000 to 12 nonprofit organizations, showcasing the company's dedication to supporting community initiatives.
- Service Contribution: In 2025, Muentzer Oakey contributed over 410 hours of volunteer service, including 16 nights of camping and more than 1,500 miles of transportation, ensuring Scouts had access to essential outdoor experiences and events.
- Corporate Mission: CNO Financial Group is dedicated to providing insurance and financial services to middle-income America, managing $38.8 billion in assets with 3,300 employees and 5,000 exclusive agents to help clients achieve financial security.
See More
CNO Financial Group Honors Volunteer of the Year
- Volunteer Recognition: CNO Financial Group honored Stacy Muentzer Oakey as Volunteer of the Year for her outstanding contributions to Scouting America's Pathway to Adventure Council, highlighting the company's commitment to community service.
- Donation Initiative: Through the 2026 Invested in Giving Back program, CNO will donate $180,000 to 12 nonprofit organizations, reflecting the company's support and responsibility towards the community, thereby enhancing its brand image.
- Service Contribution: In 2025, Muentzer Oakey contributed over 410 hours of volunteer service, including 16 nights of camping and over 1,500 miles of transportation, ensuring youth access to essential outdoor experiences and enhancing the organization's impact.
- Community Impact: CNO's Invested in Giving Back program, now in its eighth year, encourages employees to nominate and vote for community projects, fostering employee engagement and strengthening the connection between the company and the community.
See More
Middle-Income Americans' Retirement Confidence Declines
- Declining Retirement Confidence: A CNO Financial Group survey reveals that 32% of middle-income Americans aged 50 to 85 feel less confident in their retirement plans compared to last year, highlighting the impact of economic uncertainty and inflation on retirement preparedness.
- Rising Financial Anxiety: 44% of respondents report increased anxiety about their personal finances, with pre-retirees being twice as likely to feel much more anxious than retirees, reflecting heightened concerns about their ability to retire on schedule.
- Eroding Confidence in Social Security: 43% of middle-income Americans express doubts about the future availability of Social Security, while nearly half (47%) believe Medicare benefits will be cut in the future, indicating a significant decline in trust in government safety nets.
- Severe Impact on Women and Pre-Retirees: 25% of women lack confidence in their financial security for retirement, nearly double the rate of men, and 49% of pre-retirees expect to delay retirement by at least a year, demonstrating significant gender and age disparities in retirement confidence.
See More
CNO Financial Group Announces Director Retirement and Dividend Declaration
- Quarterly Cash Dividend: CNO Financial Group has declared a cash dividend of $0.17 per share, payable on March 24, 2026, which not only demonstrates the company's commitment to shareholder returns but also reflects its stable financial health and profitability.
- Annual Meeting Arrangement: The company will hold its annual shareholder meeting via a virtual live webcast on May 12, 2026, allowing recorded shareholders to participate in voting and questions, enhancing shareholder engagement and transparency through this innovative format.
- Board Member Change: Director Nina Henderson will retire at the end of her term, having served on the board since 2012 and as Chair of the Human Resources and Compensation Committee, her extensive experience has significantly contributed to the company's governance and operations, with the board continuing to consist of nine directors.
- Company Background: CNO Financial Group focuses on securing the future of middle-income America, providing life and health insurance, annuities, and financial services, managing 3.2 million policies and $38.8 billion in total assets, underscoring its significant market position and influence.
See More
CNO Financial Group Reports Strong Q4 2025 Earnings Growth
- Consistent Earnings Growth: CNO Financial Group reported operating earnings per share of $4.02 for Q4 2025, exceeding the high end of original guidance, with an 11% increase in full-year operating earnings per share, demonstrating strong performance and improved profitability in the middle-income market.
- Innovative Product Performance: The company saw a 49% increase in new annualized premiums for Medicare Supplement insurance, marking its best quarter in 15 years, reflecting a shift in consumer preference from Medicare Advantage to Medicare Supplement, thereby solidifying CNO's competitive position in this market.
- Capital Management Returns: CNO returned $386 million to shareholders in 2025, an 11% increase over 2024, and raised its quarterly dividend for the 13th consecutive year, showcasing the company's ongoing commitment to shareholder returns and robust capital management capabilities.
- Outlook for Growth: The CFO projected operating earnings per share for 2026 to be between $4.25 and $4.45, reflecting an 8% growth target at the midpoint, while maintaining an expense ratio of 18.8% to 19.2%, indicating the company's pursuit of sustainable growth in a stable macro environment.
See More
CNO Financial Q4 Earnings Exceed Expectations
- Earnings Beat: CNO Financial reported a Q4 non-GAAP EPS of $1.47, surpassing expectations by $0.26, indicating strong profitability growth that boosts investor confidence.
- Revenue Growth: The company achieved Q4 revenue of $1.14 billion, a 3.6% year-over-year increase, exceeding forecasts by $140 million, demonstrating robust growth momentum and strengthening its market position.
- Dividend Declaration: CNO Financial announced a dividend of $0.17 per share, reflecting its commitment to shareholder returns and showcasing stable cash flow and financial health, which may attract more long-term investors.
- Future Outlook: With the release of Q4 2025 earnings, market expectations for CNO Financial are likely to rise, enhancing investor confidence in the company's future growth potential, which could drive stock price appreciation.
See More
