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1 in 3 Americans have ‘layoff anxiety’ — here’s how to combat it

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2 years ago

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U.S. economy added just 143,000 jobs in January but unemployment rate fell to 4%

In many ways, workers are still reeling from the pandemic.

After a tumultuous few years, worrying about what will come next is causing more employees to suffer from so-called layoff anxiety.

According to Clarify Capital’s 2025 survey of 1,000 Americans, 1 in 3 adults have layoff anxiety. It’s especially impacting younger workers: among Generation Z, the share with layoff anxiety jumps to 40%. 

“Despite a strong job market, economic uncertainty and high-profile layoffs are fueling widespread anxiety,” said Michael Baynes, co-founder and CEO of Clarify Capital.

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This worry is also shaping how employees view their jobs, the report found. More than two-thirds of workers now value job security over career growth, and nearly 1 in 3 would take a 10% to 20% pay cut to avoid being laid off.

“Job stability, rather than job availability, is the major cause of workplace stress today,” Baynes said.

In another survey from ZipRecruiter on job seeker confidence, most workers said there was about a 25% chance they would be laid off in the next six months — even though the actual share of people being laid off each month is much smaller than that, according to Julia Pollak, chief economist at ZipRecruiter. In December, the number of layoffs totaled just 1.8 million, according to the latest Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey.

“That suggests quite a high degree of layoff anxiety,” she said. 

Why workers are worried

Workers are still recovering from the shock of the Covid pandemic, according to Pollak. Between March and April of 2020, “22 million workers were laid off,” she said, that was a “recent and jarring experience.”

In fact, the U.S. job market has undergone a dramatic transformation since then.

After the pandemic, employers rushed to hire. Job openings rose to historic levels, unemployment fell to its lowest point since the late 1960s and wages grew at their fastest pace in decades. Ultimately the pace of hiring slowed but, layoffs have remained low by historical standards.

As of the most recent tally, the labor market is strong although overall job growth is showing signs of slowing.

“At a time of high uncertainty and volatility, the job market is providing some reassurance, at least for now,” said Mark Hamrick, Bankrate’s senior economic analyst.

The quits rate is another important indicator of job seeker confidence, according to Allison Shrivastava, an economist at job site Indeed.

“Workers tend to feel more comfortable quitting when they are confident in their ability to find another job,” she said.

After rising dramatically during the “great resignation” between 2021 and 2022, the quits rate declined along with the pullback in hiring and job openings. In September, the quits rate hit a low and now stands at just 2%.

“Anytime you have a shock to the labor market, it’s going to take some time for that dust to settle,” Shrivastava said of the mood among workers. 

Still, “there are reasons to be optimistic right now — so much has happened in such a short period of time, it’s remarkable we still have a strong labor market foundation,” she said.

“Whether or not you have this anxiety over layoffs would be contingent on what sector you are in as well,” Shrivastava said.

Health care and retail were among some of the bright spots in the most recent jobs report, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, while professional and business services and leisure and hospitality showed signs of weakness. 

How to conquer layoff anxiety

“If you think there’s a chance that you will be laid off, you can either be frozen by fear or focused by fear,” said Ivan Misner, founder of business networking organization BNI. “It’s a framing of the mindset that makes a difference,” he said.

“Layoff anxiety is inevitable, everyone is going to have it, the question is what are you going to do with it,” Misner said.

Transparency plays a crucial role in combating layoff anxiety, according to Clarify Capital’s Baynes.

“Workers who feel informed about their company’s financial health and restructuring plans tend to experience lower anxiety levels,” he said.

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Employees can — and should — make use of any resources that employers provide, such as outplacement services and resume building, Misner said, as well as connecting with business contacts.

“A really strong network can increase your chances of securing new roles quickly,” he said. “Referrals are very powerful when it comes to looking for jobs.”

Career adaptability is also key, Baynes added. Given continuing education courses, online classes, certification programs and boot camps, there are more opportunities for workers to ramp up their expertise to stay competitive.

Tending to their own financial health is equally important. “Managing layoff anxiety starts with financial preparation — building savings and reducing debt can provide a critical safety net,” Baynes said.

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$20,000 Caution Bond Requirement for US Visa Applications imposed on 50 Countries

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6 days ago

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August 8, 2026

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The United States Department of State has officially implemented a revised visa policy introducing a mandatory posting requirement for caution payments of up to $20,000 on select foreign travel applications. Under the updated regulatory framework, consular officials are authorized to require temporary nonimmigrant visa applicants from targeted foreign countries to post a refundable financial bond of $20,000 as a condition for visa issuance. The policy mechanism is designed to address diplomatic concerns regarding high overstay rates among temporary visitor, business, and educational visa categories.

The caution bond pilot program applies selectively to foreign nationals from designated countries whose diplomatic entities record historical visa overstay rates exceeding established federal thresholds. Under administrative guidelines published by the State Department, the full financial deposit is posted directly to a dedicated federal escrow account prior to final visa issuance. The entire caution payment is automatically refunded to the applicant upon verified proof of timely departure from the United States in strict compliance with the authorized duration of stay. Conversely, failure to depart within the legal timeframe results in full forfeiture of the posted financial bond to the United States government.

Diplomatic representatives and travel policy experts have expressed varying perspectives regarding the operational implementation of the caution bond system. Administration officials emphasize that the measure serves as an effective, market-based incentive to enforce international travel compliance and preserve domestic immigration security standards. However, international trade organizations and foreign diplomatic missions have raised concerns regarding the financial burden imposed on legitimate business travelers, foreign students, and commercial partners from developing nations.

The United States finalized the rule to make the temporary visa bond program permanent, taking effect on August 3, 2026. The updated permanent regulation replaces the prior 12-month pilot, eliminates the lowest $5,000 tier, and raises the maximum required bond amount to $20,000 for specific B-1/B-2 business and tourist visa applicants.

Here is the list of the 50 countries on the list as o August 3, 2026

African Nations (31 Countries)

  • Algeria
  • Angola
  • Benin
  • Botswana
  • Burundi
  • Cabo Verde (Cape Verde)
  • Central African Republic
  • Côte d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast)
  • Djibouti
  • Ethiopia
  • Gabon
  • The Gambia
  • Ghana
  • Guinea
  • Guinea-Bissau
  • Lesotho
  • Malawi
  • Mauritania
  • Mauritius
  • Mozambique
  • Namibia
  • Nigeria
  • São Tomé and Príncipe
  • Senegal
  • Seychelles
  • Tanzania
  • Togo
  • Tunisia
  • Uganda
  • Zambia
  • Zimbabwe

Asian & Eastern European Nations (11 Countries)

  • Bangladesh
  • Bhutan
  • Cambodia
  • Georgia
  • Kyrgyzstan
  • Mongolia
  • Nepal
  • Papua New Guinea
  • Tajikistan
  • Turkmenistan
  • Uzbekistan

Caribbean & Latin American Nations (5 Countries)

  • Antigua and Barbuda
  • Cuba
  • Dominica
  • Grenada
  • Venezuela

Oceanian Nations (3 Countries)

  • Fiji
  • Tonga
  • Vanuatu

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Next-Generation Retirement Planning: Managing Longevity Risk and Variable Income Streams

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1 week ago

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August 7, 2026

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Retirement planning strategies are evolving in 2026 to address increased life expectancies, shifting dynamic market conditions, and the transition away from traditional defined-benefit pensions. Individual investors and financial advisors are abandoning rigid retirement models in favor of flexible, multi-asset strategies designed to mitigate longevity risk and preserve purchasing power over multi-decade retirement horizons.

Mitigating Longevity Risk with Dynamic Asset Allocation
As average life expectancies extend past eighty-five years, one of the primary financial risks facing retirees is outliving their accumulated wealth. Traditional fixed income allocations—such as the standard 60/40 equity-to-bond portfolio—are being reevaluated to ensure portfolios generate sufficient capital growth alongside reliable income.

Financial planners recommend maintaining a meaningful equity allocation throughout retirement to offset long-term inflation erosion. High-dividend equity funds, global real estate investment trusts (REITs), and inflation-indexed Treasuries are combined to create diversified portfolios that deliver both growth and income stability.

The Transition to Dynamic Withdrawal Strategies
The classic “4% safe withdrawal rule” is increasingly replaced by dynamic withdrawal strategies that adapt annually based on market performance. Under a dynamic withdrawal framework, retirees adjust their annual distribution rates within pre-set caps and floors:
– Market Upside: During strong market returns, retirees can increase discretionary spending or fund family legacy gifts.
– Market Downturns: During market pullbacks, spending distributions are temporarily reduced to prevent sequence-of-returns risk and preserve core investment principal.

Guaranteed Lifetime Income Options and Deferred Annuities
To establish a guaranteed baseline for essential living expenses, individuals are incorporating modern fixed-indexed and deferred longevity annuities into their broader retirement architectures. Modern annuity structures offer competitive return caps, transparent fee schedules, and inflation-adjustment options.

By funding essential expenses—such as housing, healthcare, and insurance—with guaranteed income streams from Social Security, pensions, and annuities, retirees can manage discretionary investment portfolios with greater flexibility and lower emotional stress during market volatility.

Actionable Steps for Future Retirees
1. Calculate Baseline Retirement Expenses: Determine fixed living costs and map guaranteed income sources to cover essential expenditures.
2. Adopt Flexible Withdrawal Rules: Implement dynamic spending rules to protect investment principal against market downturns.
3. Incorporate Inflation-Protected Assets: Maintain exposure to dividend-growing equities and inflation-indexed bonds to safeguard long-term purchasing power.

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Building Generational Wealth: Family Governance, Estate Tax Optimization, and Asset Protection

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2 weeks ago

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August 1, 2026

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As the largest intergenerational transfer of wealth in history accelerates, high-net-worth families, entrepreneurs, and individual investors are placing heightened emphasis on comprehensive estate planning, family governance, and asset protection. Preserving capital across generations requires a balanced approach combining tax-efficient legal structures with open family communication and financial literacy education.

Optimizing Estate Tax Exemptions and Trust Structures
With potential modifications to federal estate tax exemption thresholds on the horizon, proactive estate planning is essential for high-net-worth households. Estate planning attorneys and wealth advisors are establishing multi-generational trust structures to transfer wealth efficiently while minimizing estate and gift tax exposure.

Popular structural strategies include:
– Irrevocable Life Insurance Trusts (ILITs): Utilizing life insurance proceeds to provide liquidity for estate tax obligations without expanding the taxable estate.
– Grantor Retained Annuity Trusts (GRATs): Transferring rapidly appreciating assets to beneficiaries with minimal gift tax consequences.
– Dynasty Trusts: Preserving wealth across multiple generations while providing long-term asset protection from creditor claims and legal liabilities.

Establishing Family Governance and Financial Education
Legal and financial structures alone cannot guarantee long-term wealth preservation without effective family governance. Financial advisors report that a significant percentage of multi-generational wealth dissipation stems from lack of communication and inadequate financial preparation among heir generations.

Families are establishing formal family governance frameworks, including periodic family meetings, written mission statements, and structured philanthropic foundations. Involving younger family members in charitable grant-making and investment discussions fosters financial stewardship and prepares heirs to manage family assets responsibly.

Digital Asset Custody and Legacy Planning
In today’s modern economy, estate planning must extend beyond physical real estate and traditional brokerage accounts to encompass digital assets. Comprehensive estate plans now include detailed inventories and legal access protocols for corporate domain names, intellectual property, digital media rights, and cryptocurrency holdings.

Fiduciaries and estate executors should be provided with secure, encrypted access mechanisms and clear legal authority to manage and transfer digital holdings in accordance with the owner’s estate directions.

Practical Steps for Legacy Planning
1. Review and Update Estate Documents: Ensure wills, revocable trusts, and power-of-attorney designations accurately reflect current family structures.
2. Establish Structured Trusts: Utilize irrevocable trusts to protect assets from creditors and minimize future estate tax liabilities.
3. Create a Digital Estate Inventory: Document access protocols and legal permissions for all online accounts, intellectual property, and digital assets.

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