CNBC Marathon breaks down the key challenges facing the U.S. labor force as Americans become increasingly anxious about retirement savings, job security and economic uncertainty.
More than 60% of surveyed Americans are more worried about running out of money in retirement than they are about dying, according to a 2025 survey from Allianz Life. Younger Americans are saving more than previous generations, yet they remain deeply pessimistic about retirement. As Social Security faces long-term funding issues and employer pensions fade away, many are depending on working longer to make ends meet. But some economists warn that planning to extend careers may not be a reliable solution considering the prevalence of age discrimination and the overall state of the labor market.
Relatively few people are finding new jobs in the United States. The slowdown in hiring comes as businesses navigate rapidly evolving federal policies on taxes, trade and immigration. In the backdrop, younger people are struggling to find work in software development and marketing roles that may be augmented or replaced by artificial intelligence. The Federal Reserve cut short-term lending rates to support economic growth despite higher than ideal inflation.
The U.S. labor market is showing signs of stagnation. People are quitting their jobs at the lowest rate in recent years and companies are hiring at their slowest pace in more than a decade. Now, employees are opting to stay in jobs that may not be fulfilling. Experts say fears of inflation, layoffs and a cooling economy are driving this trend, which could potentially dampen innovation and hurt long-term economic growth.
Americans are worried about their careers. This CNBC Marathon delves into why young workers are questioning the reliability of the U.S. retirement system, how a stagnating work force is slowing hiring and what that means for Americans staying at jobs they may otherwise would quit if not for the current economic trends.
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction
01:45 Why Your Retirement Plan Might Backfire (Published August 2025)
13:25 Why Jobs Are Disappearing In The U.S. (Published September 2025)
22:12 Why So Many Americans Are Clinging To Their Jobs (Published September 2025)
Credits:
Produced by: Charlotte Morabito, Carlos Waters
Edited by: Nora Rappaport, Andrea Miller
Additional Editing by: Jeff Huang
Animation: Emily Park, Jason Reginato, Andrea Schmitz
Additional Camera by: Kaan Oguz
Senior Director of Video: Lindsey Jacobson
Additional Footage: Getty Images
Additional Sources: ADP, Bankrate, Fannie Mae, Fidelity, Peterson Institute for International Economics, Stanford University, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Treasury Department
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Where Did All The Good Jobs Go?
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