New Survey Says Majority of Americans Worry Medicare Won’t Be Around When They Need It

Author(s):

The majority of respondents not already enrolled in the program have concerns that the program won’t survive until the point when they need it.

About 80% of respondents worry about the future of Medicare.

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Anxiety surrounding Medicare is nothing new. However, recent political events have brought these worries into the spotlight. Millions of Americans rely on Medicare for healthcare, especially older citizens who suffer from consistent and more serious health problems.

Key Takeaways

A new survey reveals that 80% of younger Americans worry about the future of Medicare.
The program is still highly popular among younger Americans.
Many respondents to the survey were undereducated about healthcare costs in retirement.

Are younger Americans worried about Medicare?

While most will agree that the program is good, many worry that they won’t be able to benefit from it when they need it. A new survey from eHealth Inc. asked Americans about this topic, and the results show that about 80% of the respondents who are not already enrolled in Medicare have concerns about the future of the program.¹

In a press release, eHealth CEO Fran Soistman said, “Medicare and Social Security have served as vital social safety net programs for decades, but our survey shows millions of Americans are concerned about the long-term sustainability of each. At the same time, many people have misperceptions or lack the information necessary to maximize the value of these programs, which can harm their financial well-being or quality of life."

He continued, “To mark the upcoming birthdays of Medicare and Social Security, we fielded this survey to highlight the important connection between personal healthcare and financial well-being, and to encourage all Americans to make more informed decisions when it comes to Medicare and their retirement planning."

The survey, which included 1,000 Americans, revealed:

80% of people not yet enrolled worry that Medicare won’t be around when they are older.
76% are undereducated about the cost of healthcare in retirement.
34% are unwilling to raise taxes tol solve these issues.

However, one statistic that stood out is that 78% have a positive view of Medicare. The program remains popular despite concerns over its longevity. The survey also revealed similar concerns over social security, with 80% of respondents also claiming to be worried about the future of that program. Once again, the program was popular among respondents, with 73% saying they had a positive view of it.

In the same press release, retirement platform Retirable’s co-founder and CEO Tyler End said, “Whether you're approaching retirement or already retired, it's important to have realistic expectations about your future healthcare costs. Just as a licensed health insurance agent helps optimize coverage to your needs and budget, a retirement-focused financial planner offers personalized guidance to grant you peace of mind for your future."

In May, eHealth released the results of a survey that asked younger Americans about their general knowledge of healthcare and health insurance.² The results showed that a majority of the respondents did not have a good understanding of their coverage options and many were unaware of government programs that they could qualify for.

Not surprisingly, 70% of the respondents stated that health benefits were a key factor that they looked for in a potential job or career.

In a press release issued at the time, Soistman explained, “Millions of young adults are entering the workforce for the first time, and many of them have questions about their health insurance options. In fact, 80% of young people say they wouldn't know where to start if they had to shop for health insurance on their own. Given the competitive job market, it is important for young adults and their families to understand coverage options beyond those through an employer, such as taking advantage of subsidies, if eligible, to help make an individual plan more affordable."

Sources

Medicare at 60 Years Old: Eight in 10 Americans Not Yet Enrolled Worry the Program Won't be There for Them. eHealth, Inc. July 10, 2025. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/medicare-at-60-years-old-eight-in-10-americans-not-yet-enrolled-worry-the-program-wont-be-there-for-them-302502078.html
eHealth Research Highlights Graduation Season Education Gap: 80% Don't Know Where to Start When It Comes to Health Insurance. eHealth, Inc. May 21, 2025. Accessed on July 10, 2025. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ehealth-research-highlights-graduation-season-education-gap-80-dont-know-where-to-start-when-it-comes-to-health-insurance-302461568.html

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