What the rich and poor have in common: They say they're living paycheck to paycheck

The latest survey conducted by Goldman Sachs Asset Management and behavioral economics firm Escalent reveals that both the wealthy and the low-income Americans are experiencing financial stress. Surprisingly, both groups are more likely to say they are living paycheck to paycheck compared to those in the middle income range.

According to the survey, around 61% of working individuals earning less than $50,000 reported struggling to make ends meet, meaning they find it difficult to save money or progress towards long-term goals. This figure drops to 22% for those earning between $100,000 and $200,000, but climbs slightly to about 37% for those earning over $500,000.

Interestingly, while financial security seems to improve with higher income levels, the survey shows that those at the top and bottom ends of the income spectrum face distinct challenges. For lower income earners, everyday expenses like daily transportation and rent are the primary concerns. On the other hand, high earners with an income above $300,000 face more complex financial lives, higher lifestyle expectations, larger fixed commitments, and a widening gap between their retirement goals and their current financial situation.

Lifestyle creep, or the tendency to increase spending as income rises, is one potential factor contributing to the financial stress among the high earners. Chris Ceder, a senior retirement strategist at Goldman Sachs Asset Management, noted that high earners are more likely to take on additional jobs to save for unexpected costs and build a financial cushion. Despite their confidence in eventually reaching retirement, some of this extra income is being allocated towards retirement savings.