Gen Z is dealing with financial anxiety due to rising costs, insufficient savings, and debt, and smart money habits may be the answer. Acorns CEO Noah Kerner shared with Benzinga how Gen Z can reduce money stress and build long-term wealth. Luckily, many Gen Z individuals are already taking action, according to Kerner.
“This generation isn’t waiting for a fix—they’re leaning into self-reliance and building their own path to wealth, one small action at a time,” Kerner told Benzinga. “They see the challenges clearly and are taking control of their financial futures where they can.”
Don’t Miss:
Part of financial anxiety stems from Gen Z believing that no one will save them. Kerner highlighted several findings from Acorns’ 2025 Money Matters Report, including more than half of 18-35 year olds “think Social Security may be gone by the time they’re eligible.”
“72% of 18–35-year-olds believe they’ll need to rely completely on themselves for retirement,” he told Benzinga. “That’s not a lack of confidence; it’s a clear recognition that systems like Social Security may not be there to support them in the end.”
Gen Z is fully aware of the financial challenges they face, but stressing over them can be counterproductive. The report found that a lack of savings is the top concern for Gen Z, while debt is the primary issue for millennials.
Trending: 7 Million Gamers Already Trust Gameflip With Their Digital Assets — Now You Can Own a Stake in the Platform
Kerner’s money habits revolved around investing to compound your wealth over time. Having money work for you in your sleep can eventually outpace your annual earnings. It takes a while to reach that point, which is why Kerner emphasized having a long-term perspective.
“Even a few dollars a day can add up to a lot over the long term,” he told Benzinga. “Remember, that it’s all about time in the market. If you don’t invest and just keep your money in cash, you’re losing out to inflation. Investing is about having a long-term horizon and being consistent with your approach. Be patient. Slow and steady wins the race.”
It’s easy to invest money when it’s going up, but market corrections and crashes can test the most experienced investors. Kerner encouraged staying committed to the market and riding the dips.
