(Breitbart)—Consumer sentiment rose sharply in June, according to data released Friday by the University of Michigan, as Americans reported improving views of both current economic conditions and future prospects.
The Index of Consumer Sentiment climbed to 60.7, up from 52.2 in May, a 16.3 percent increase that marked the first gain in six months. The index remains 11 percent below its June 2024 level and roughly 18 percent lower than its recent peak in December 2024, following the presidential election.
“Sentiment improved across a range of economic aspects, including expectations for personal finances and business conditions,” said Surveys of Consumers Director Joanne Hsu, noting that the gains were broad-based. The index measuring current economic conditions rose 10 percent to 64.8, while the index of consumer expectations jumped 21.3 percent to 58.1.
Despite the rebound, overall sentiment remains consistent with consumer expectations of a slowing economy and elevated inflation risks, Hsu said.
Inflation expectations moderated in June. The year-ahead inflation outlook fell to 5.0 percent from 6.6 percent in May. Long-run inflation expectations declined to 4.0 percent from 4.2 percent, the second consecutive monthly drop and the lowest level since February. Still, both short- and long-term expectations remain above where they stood for most of the second half of 2024.
- Read More: breitbart.com
The Biggest Threat to Your Retirement Is Actually a Very Good Thing
When you look at the headlines today, you’ll see experts in the retirement industry warning about big threats to your financial security:
- De-dollarization and the rise of BRICS
- Soaring national debt
- Unstable interest rates
- Weakened U.S. dollar
All of these are real concerns. But they aren’t the biggest threat to your retirement savings. The true risk isn’t political, monetary, or global.
It’s longevity.
Why Longevity Is the Silent Threat
For most of human history, the problem was the opposite — life expectancy was short, and few people even reached retirement. Today, thanks to medical advancements, healthier lifestyles, and better living conditions, people are living longer than ever before.
And while that’s a wonderful thing, it comes with a financial catch: Your retirement account has to last far longer than you might expect.
- A 65-year-old couple today has a 50% chance that one of them will live to 90.
- Some projections suggest that many of us will live well into our 90s, even 100+.
- This means your nest egg may need to stretch not for 15 years, but 25, 30, or even 40 years.
That’s where the real danger lies: running out of money before you run out of life.
The Retirement Equation Has Changed
While market volatility, debt crises, or central bank policies may feel like the scariest threats, they’re temporary storms. Longevity, however, is a structural shift. Every extra year of life is another year of expenses, another year of inflation erosion, and another year of financial pressure.
If your retirement plan doesn’t account for longevity, you could face tough choices later in life — downsizing, working when you’d rather not, or becoming financially dependent on others.
How to Take Control
The good news? Longevity is a blessing — as long as you’re prepared for it. With the right planning, your retirement savings can work for you instead of against you. The key is learning how to protect your wealth, outpace inflation, and ensure your savings grow even as you live longer.
That’s why our friends at Augusta Precious Metals created a free resource to help you get started:
👉 Get Instant Access to the report, “How to Take Full Control of Your Financial Future”
This brief report will show you practical strategies to safeguard your retirement from the biggest threat of all — the one that comes from the gift of living longer.
Don’t let longevity catch you unprepared. Take the steps today to secure tomorrow.
