'Proactive retirement planning—especially around inflation, health care, and shifting tax policies—can help KKR employees gain clarity and reduce uncertainty in the years leading up to retirement.' – Brent Wolf, a representative of The Retirement Group, a division of Wealth Enhancement.
Healthcare Provider Update: KKR offers medical, dental, vision, mental health, and fertility benefits, along with wellness reimbursements and caregiver support 5. As ACA premiums surge, KKRs comprehensive benefits may help employees avoid the volatility and cost burden of marketplace plans. Click here to learn more
'To allay long-term financial concerns, KKR employees may benefit from a comprehensive retirement strategy that addresses inflation, health care costs, and tax planning.' – Michael Corgiat, a representative of The Retirement Group, a division of Wealth Enhancement.
In this article we will discuss:
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Key causes of retirement anxiety, including inflation, health care, and taxes.
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Generational differences in money concerns and readiness.
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The value of broad retirement planning approaches.
Retirement Anxiety is On The Rise
Employees across industries, including those at KKR, have long worried about how they will fund retirement. These concerns have grown considerably in today’s economy. Nearly two out of three Americans (64%) said they worry more about outliving their resources than they do about dying, according to the Allianz Center for the Future of Retirement’s 2025 Annual Retirement Study. 1
Main Causes of Retirement-Related Worry
The Allianz study lists several key triggers of these fears. Regarding long-term planning, 54% of respondents said inflation was their top worry. Increases in health care costs, housing, and food prices are still undermining people’s purchasing power.
Concerns around Social Security’s future and tax burdens are also high. 43% said they feared Social Security might not offer adequate support. And another 43% named high taxes as a major issue.
Generational Gaps in Money Stress
Gen X—often balancing care for both kids and aging parents—report the highest worry: 70% versus 66% of millennials and 61% of boomers. Among corporate workers, including those at KKR, this dynamic underlines how family obligations can magnify retirement concerns.
The Gap Between Worry and Action
The survey shows a gap between concern and conversation: just 23% of respondents have talked about outliving their assets with a retirement specialist, down from 28% in 2024. 2 That said, Americans are considering several strategies to allay these fears, ranking the following approaches as most helpful:
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41% said cutting current spending to funnel more toward retirement
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44% said increasing retirement contributions
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39% said postponing retirement
- While increasing contributions to retirement accounts could help address these concerns, barriers remain: daily necessities (63%), credit card debt (40%), mortgage or rent (35%) were top reasons people weren’t contributing more.
The Emotional Side of Retirement Anxiety
Retirement fears influence not just finances, but lifestyle, career choices, and family planning. Worries about independence, dignity, and quality of life often accompany fear of running short on funds.
Health care need are often underestimated too, complicating the equation. Medicare covers many basic services, but long‑term care, home assistance, and uncovered treatments can add large bills—adding uncertainty even for high‑income employees.
Broader Retirement Planning Matters
The Allianz findings emphasize planning well beyond just saving. With people living 25 to 30 years post‑work, a solid planning mindset is critical. As Kelly LaVigne, VP at Allianz Life, noted, “Americans areliving longer… your money needs to go farther. A good plan considers 25 to 30 years of retirement, not just the first ten.” 2
Key components often include:
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Income strategies: setting up regular monthly disbursements from assets
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Tax planning: reducing tax burdens on withdrawals
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Health care planning: factoring in Medicare gaps and long‑term care
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Inflation alignment: keeping income responsive to cost increases
Combined, these strategies can help build resilience, confidence, and preparedness even in uncertain times.
In Conclusion
The 2025 Allianz Retirement Study makes it clear: a majority of Americans—and KKR employees among them—see the threat of running out of money as more frightening than death. Rising inflation, health care spending, and uncertainty around Social Security are central drivers. Fewer are taking direct action through planning conversations or boosted contributions.
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- Internal Revenue Code Section 409A (Governing Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plans)
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Yet there is opportunity. The IRS now permits catch‑up 401(k) contributions of up to $11,250 for those aged 60–63 in 2025—above the standard limit. For many, this is a practical way to fortify resources in those final working years.
A Final Thought
Think of retirement like a long sea voyage. Death may be the storm ahead, but empty savings are the leak that can sink the ship first. According to the Allianz study, 64% of Americans fear that leak more than the storm. For KKR employees, the goal is to build a well-structured plan—with consistent income, planning for health costs, and tax awareness—that can keep the vessel afloat for the long haul.
Sources:
1. Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America, ' How Americans feel about retirement in 2025 ,' by the Allianz Center for the Future of Retirement TM , June 2025.
2. businesswire, ' Americans Are More Worried About Running Out of Money Than Death ,' April 22, 2025.
What type of retirement plan does KKR offer to its employees?
KKR offers a 401(k) retirement savings plan to its employees.
How can KKR employees enroll in the 401(k) plan?
KKR employees can enroll in the 401(k) plan by completing the enrollment process through the company’s HR portal.
Does KKR match employee contributions to the 401(k) plan?
Yes, KKR provides a matching contribution to employees' 401(k) plans, subject to certain limits.
What is the maximum contribution limit for KKR employees in the 401(k) plan?
The maximum contribution limit for KKR employees in the 401(k) plan is determined by the IRS and may change annually.
Can KKR employees change their contribution percentage at any time?
Yes, KKR employees can change their contribution percentage at any time, subject to the plan’s guidelines.
What investment options are available in KKR's 401(k) plan?
KKR’s 401(k) plan offers a variety of investment options, including mutual funds and target-date funds.
Is there a vesting schedule for KKR's 401(k) matching contributions?
Yes, KKR has a vesting schedule for its matching contributions, which determines when employees fully own those funds.
Can KKR employees take loans against their 401(k) savings?
Yes, KKR employees may have the option to take loans against their 401(k) savings, depending on the plan’s rules.
What happens to KKR employees' 401(k) accounts if they leave the company?
If KKR employees leave the company, they can roll over their 401(k) accounts to another retirement account or leave them with KKR, subject to plan provisions.
Does KKR provide financial education resources for employees regarding their 401(k) plans?
Yes, KKR offers financial education resources to help employees understand and manage their 401(k) plans effectively.



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