Silver State Times

Younger Americans are seeing a reduction in their savings due to surging inflation across all business sectors of the country, a recent news release from BMO Harris Bank said.

In the release, the bank's BMO Real Financial Progress Index showed more than 60% of Americans aged 18-34 have had to decrease putting funds into their savings. Therefore, a quarter of Americans will have to postpone retirement.

"Prices across the board – from cars and gasoline to groceries and other everyday essentials – are rising at the fastest pace since the 1980s," Paul Dilda, head of consumer strategy for BMO Harris Bank, said in the release. "Consumers must think differently about their finances in this inflationary environment."

Dilda added that individuals could find relief in consulting a financial expert who could direct them in how to save in their personal finances.

The release reported that 36% of people in the U.S. had diminished savings, and 21% said that their retirement savings had also narrowed.  

The BMO Real Financial Progress Index, which was conducted from March 30 to April 25, is a joint survey by BMO and Ipsos that examines how confident Americans feel about finances, the release said. The survey is held quarterly.

In Nevada, 21.4% of the population is categorized in the 18-34 age range, the group most affected by inflation and surging costs; a report from KFF said. 

The news comes as a majority of Americans are starting to get concerned about the future of the economy.

A survey conducted with NORC at the University of Chicago found that 83% of respondents felt the economy was in fragile condition, a recent Wall Street Journal report said. The survey also noted that 35% were not pleased with their own finances, which was the highest percentage since NORC began asking the question back in 1972.

Since President Joe Biden entered office in January 2021, inflation has risen every month, a recent NBC News report said. The University of Michigan Consumer Sentiment Index has echoed that trend with a downward trajectory in consumer confidence during Biden’s tenure in the White House.