A national conversation about whether the traditional path to financial success still works for younger Americans received a boost this spring when Fortune magazine featured findings from Beyond Finance’s Financial Literacy Month survey conducted in partnership with Operation HOPE.
In its article, “The Starter Economy Is Broken,” Fortune cited the survey’s striking finding that more than 70% of Gen Z and Millennials say “survival spending” has become the norm and that building wealth feels increasingly out of reach. The coverage underscored the growing frustration many younger Americans feel as rising costs continue to outpace their ability to achieve milestones previous generations often took for granted.
The Beyond Finance and Operation HOPE survey of 2,000 Gen Z and Millennial adults revealed that only 32% believe the American Dream remains attainable. More than half said they feel their generation was “set up for failure,” highlighting a widening disconnect between traditional financial advice and today’s economic realities.
Released during Financial Literacy Month, the research sought to spark a broader conversation about reimagining financial success and education for a new generation. Through Beyond Finance’s collaboration with Operation HOPE, the findings reinforced the need for practical, relevant guidance that acknowledges the challenges younger Americans face while equipping them with the tools, confidence, and knowledge to build stronger financial futures.
As national media outlets like Fortune continue to elevate these perspectives, the message is clear: financial literacy must evolve alongside the realities of modern life if it is to empower the next generation to thrive.