While the majority of middle-income families are feeling optimistic about their economic futures, many are still dealing with financial stresses and are unprepared for the future.

Primerica’s latest Financial Security Monitor finds a five percent decrease in U.S. families who report having an emergency fund that would cover an expense of $1,000 or more, more families say their income is falling behind the cost of living, and fewer families are saving enough for a comfortable retirement.

What’s more, the results reveal that a greater number of women are reporting financial insecurity. The monitor results show that more women reported increased personal debt between September 2020 and December 2020 (8 percent more) and an even greater number of women (11 percent more) believe they would run out of money to meet their basic needs within one month if they or their family’s primary breadwinner lost their job or passed away.

“Our latest research confirms what we hear from the thousands of middle-income families we meet with each day,” said Glenn J. Williams, CEO of Primerica, in a press release. “Despite recent economic headwinds, working families are generally staying optimistic about their financial situation, and many are taking important steps to expand their financial knowledge, save for the future, and protect what they have. Over four decades, Primerica representatives have earned the reputation of being a valuable resource, and we stand ready to help even more middle-income families become financially secure.

Read the full results of the monitor.

Primerica’s Middle-Income Financial Security Monitor is a quarterly recurring survey examining American families’ financial preparedness, habits and concerns. It is a detailed snapshot of financial health for those with annual household incomes of $30,000-$100,000.