Gen Z, Rate Cuts, and a Missing $1.6 Trillion: Savvly's Fall Forecast

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Savvly Inc.
September 30, 2025 • Reading Time: 8 minutes

Fall, Football, and Forgotten 401(k)s

Fall is here. Pumpkin spice is in the air, fantasy leagues are getting too real, and the Fed is playing quarterback with your interest rates again.

Between the Fed’s rate cut, Gen Z rewriting the rules on workplace benefits, and a new push to recover $1.6 trillion in lost retirement funds (yep, trillion with a T), September has been a reminder that finance never sleeps. Neither does the future. So let’s dive into what’s happening and how it all ties back to longevity and smart planning.

Gen Z: “I don’t want dental, I want destiny!”

Gen Z isn’t enrolling in benefits like it’s 1995. They're swiping left on anything that doesn’t feel customizable, portable, or, let’s be honest, vibe-checked.

According to a recent BenefitsPRO article, Gen Z workers are literally twice as likely to want help with long-term financial planning compared to older generations. They're more likely to skip health insurance than skip savings tools. And they want benefits they can trust that will still matter 30+ years from now.

That’s a big shift. It means HR leaders are no longer just selecting a benefits package; they’re designing the future of financial longevity. And the best plans don’t just meet people where they are… they grow with them.

The $1.6 Trillion Retirement Treasure Hunt

File under “How is this real?” There’s $1.6 trillion in lost retirement funds stuck in the ether. Old 401(k)s, IRAs, pensions… just sitting there like forgotten leftovers in a financial Tupperware. Yes, really.

A new bipartisan bill would allow states to help individuals locate and reclaim these funds, most of which are currently unclaimed due to outdated contact information, job changes, or poor record-keeping.

It’s a massive number with a simple message: retirement isn’t just about what you save: it’s about whether you can find it later. And as lifespans increase, having access to all your retirement resources becomes even more essential.

The Fed Finally Flinched. So… Now What?

After months of financial will-they-won’t-they, the Fed finally made a move, cutting interest rates by a modest 0.25% in September. Cue the market confetti (and a whole lot of think pieces).

The reasoning? Inflation’s cooled, hiring’s steady-ish, and the economy isn’t screaming in pain. But this isn’t just a green light for free money. Lower rates might make borrowing cheaper and give stocks a little lift, but they also make it harder for your safer investments, like savings accounts or bonds, to pull their weight.

So if you’re planning for a retirement that stretches into your 90s, it’s not just about how low rates go… it’s about how long your money lasts. Rate cuts might soften the edges, but they don’t solve the puzzle. Longevity still needs a long-term strategy and a little creativity.

The Good & Bad News of the Week

Good: 401(k) Millionaires Reach Record High.

Fidelity reports over 595,000 savers now have $1M+ in their 401(k)s—up 16% year over year. That’s the power of long-term compounding.

Bad: U.S. Dollar Slumps Hard in the Second Half of 2025

The greenback fell 6.2% in the first half of the year, its worst start in 52 years. That could mean pricier imports, persistent inflation, and more global market jitters.

Savvly Updates

What Happens in Vegas... Gets Turned Into ROI Calculators

We had a blast at HR Tech 2025 this month! From demos to deep conversations, one thing was clear: financial longevity is on everyone’s radar, especially when it comes to workplace benefits.

As part of our mission to help people plan for income in their 80s, 90s, and beyond, we’ve also launched a brand-new ROI calculator and a suite of estimator tools for employers and benefit consultants.

Whether you’re trying to impress the CFO or just hate Excel, our ROI Calculator is here to do the math (and maybe make you look like a genius). You can now model how a longevity benefit could reduce turnover, boost retention, and support long-term financial wellness—without breaking the budget.

Before We Go

Fall is here, fantasy football leagues are tearing friendships apart, and pumpkin spice has infiltrated everything from coffee to cough drops. It’s cozy chaos out there.

But while your weekends may be filled with Hail Marys and half-baked parlay picks, your financial future needs more than wishful thinking. Planning for longevity, and the money to match, takes strategy, not just vibes.

So whether you're stacking up touchdowns or PSLs, don’t forget to set your lineup for the long game too.

Got a story recommendation or idea to share for our next article? Hit us up at [email protected].

Over and out,

Team Savvly