Finances are top cause of burnout among Americans, despite crazy state of politics

Finances are top cause of burnout among Americans, despite crazy state of politics
And younger generations are feeling the pressure of life more than most.
MAR 10, 2025

While it’s hard to remember a time when politics in America and globally were in so much flux, one enduring source of stress has emerged as even more likely to cause burnout than the state of the world.

Talker Research polled 2,000 American adults in February and discovered that 42% of respondents said that their levels of stress are at more than half of their capacity, with younger generations more likely to report this than older cohorts (51% of Gen Zs and Millennials vs. 32% of Gen Xers and Boomers).

A recent report from Vanguard demonstrates how financial advisors can be effective as ‘emotional circuit breakers’ to reduce investor stress during times of market turmoil.

In Talker’s study, finances emerge as the top source of burnout (30%), beating politics (26%), work (25%), physical health (23%), and relationships with loved ones or family (18%).

Worryingly, while the study reveals the average age that stress peaks is 42, for the two youngest adult generations, the peak is 25, although younger Americans are most likely to cite work (33%) as their top stressor with finances close behind (27%).

“As a psychologist, I’ve worked with clients across different generations, and I can tell you stress doesn’t look the same for everyone,” said Ehab Youssef, a licensed clinical psychologist, mental health researcher and writer at Mentalyc.  “It’s fascinating — and a little concerning — to see how younger Americans are experiencing peak stress earlier than ever before. I see it in my practice all the time: twenty-somethings already feeling completely burned out, something I never used to see at that age.”

For a third of respondents, anticipation is high that this will be their most stressful year yet, although 42% think this year will be better than 2024.

Other recent research found that student debt is a major stressor for many Americans while another highlighted how the cost of living in America today is putting exceptional pressure on millions of households.  

Latest News

Married retirees could be in for an $18,100 Social Security cut by 2032, CRFB says
Married retirees could be in for an $18,100 Social Security cut by 2032, CRFB says

A new analysis finds long-running fiscal woes coupled with impacts from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act stand to erode the major pillar for retirement income planning.

SEC bars New Jersey advisor after $9.9M fraud against Gold Star families
SEC bars New Jersey advisor after $9.9M fraud against Gold Star families

Caz Craffy, whom the Department of Justice hit with a 12-year prison term last year for defrauding grieving military families, has been officially exiled from the securities agency.

Navigating the great wealth transfer: Are advisors ready for both waves?
Navigating the great wealth transfer: Are advisors ready for both waves?

After years or decades spent building deep relationships with clients, experienced advisors' attention and intention must turn toward their spouses, children, and future generations.

UBS Financial loses another investor lawsuit involving Tesla stock
UBS Financial loses another investor lawsuit involving Tesla stock

The customer’s UBS financial advisor allegedly mishandled an options strategy called a collar, according to the client’s attorney.

Trump's one big beautiful bill reshapes charitable giving for donors and advisors
Trump's one big beautiful bill reshapes charitable giving for donors and advisors

An expansion to a 2017 TCJA provision, a permanent increase to the standard deduction, and additional incentives for non-itemizers add new twists to the donate-or-wait decision.

SPONSORED How advisors can build for high-net-worth complexity

Orion's Tom Wilson on delivering coordinated, high-touch service in a world where returns alone no longer set you apart.

SPONSORED RILAs bring stability, growth during volatile markets

Barely a decade old, registered index-linked annuities have quickly surged in popularity, thanks to their unique blend of protection and growth potential—an appealing option for investors looking to chart a steadier course through today's choppy market waters, says Myles Lambert, Brighthouse Financial.