Most US adults say finances in good shape but job worries tick up, Fed survey shows

• Inflation remained the top concern for over 90% of respondents, though specific percentage details were incomplete in the survey results
• Job market worries rose to 42% from 37% in 2024, aligning with data showing slower hiring pace and longer unemployment periods in 2025
• 63% of adults said they could cover an unexpected $400 emergency expense, unchanged from the prior year, while certain groups including low-income households, young adults, and Black adults saw meaningful declines in financial well-being

Fed Survey: Personal Finances Stable but Job Security Concerns Rise

The Federal Reserve's annual survey of 13,099 U.S. adults, conducted in October, revealed mixed economic sentiment as Americans maintained reasonable personal financial health while expressing growing employment concerns.

Key Findings

Personal Finances: 73% of respondents rated their financial situation as "doing okay" or "living comfortably," unchanged from 2024. However, vulnerable demographics—including low-income households, young adults, and Black Americans—reported meaningful declines in financial well-being.

National Economy Outlook: Only 26% rated the national economy as "good" or "excellent," down from 29% in 2024 and significantly below the 50% recorded in 2019 pre-pandemic.

Top Concerns: Inflation remained the dominant worry, cited by over 90% of respondents. Job security concerns increased notably, with 42% expressing minor or major worries about finding or retaining employment, up from 37% in 2024. This aligns with broader 2025 labor market data showing slower hiring and longer unemployment durations.

Emergency Preparedness: 63% reported having cash available for an unexpected $400 expense, flat compared to the previous year—a key metric for household financial stress.

AI Adoption: In a first-time survey question, approximately 25% of workers reported using generative AI tools at work within the prior month. Most AI users expected these tools to enhance rather than eliminate their careers.

Market Implications

The survey indicates persistent economic anxiety despite stable personal finances, with deteriorating job market confidence potentially signaling softer consumer spending ahead. The widening gap between personal financial assessments and national economic outlook reflects ongoing uncertainty during the surveyed period in late 2025.