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U.S. Consumer Sentiment (January 2026)

Jennifer L. Douglas 2/27/2026

Americans begin 2026 with tempered expectations. While concern about the U.S. economy has eased from last spring’s peak, half of adults still report high levels of worry.

Summary

First initiated in 2008, this quarterly survey tracks consumer opinions of the economy and confidence in the financial services industry.

  • Favorability toward the economy remains low, with only one in four adults expressing a positive view in January 2026.
  • Most consumers enter the new year with financial goals. Saving more is once again the most common priority, while increasing income and reducing debt round out the top goals.
  • Prospective life insurance buyers exhibit a combination of heightened sensitivity to current economic conditions and greater optimism about their financial futures, along with comparatively higher trust in insurers.

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Meet the Project Director

Jennifer L. Douglas
Jennifer Douglas is part of a team responsible for implementing and managing processes to ensure the quality of LIMRA’s research program. She conducts and provides guidance on select research initiatives ensuring quality, integrity, and relevance to the industry. Douglas began her career at LIMRA in 1998 as an analyst in Product Research, where she shaped LIMRA’s long-term care insurance research program. She received her bachelor's degree in mathematics from Central Connecticut State University and her master's degree in research, measurement, and quantitative analysis from Southern Connecticut State University.

Senior Research Director, Member Benefits
LIMRA and LOMA
jdouglas@limra.com


For more information, please contact jdouglas@limra.com.

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