ORLANDO, Fla. — Anxiety surrounding the 2026 midterm elections is prompting some investors to change their retirement savings and portfolios weeks before voters head to the polls.
A new Nationwide Retirement Institute survey found that 40% of surveyed investors had already made changes in anticipation of the election results.
That included 15% who moved money into more conservative or lower-risk investments and 13% who diversified into different asset classes or sectors.
More than half of respondents, 56%, said the midterms were making them feel more anxious. Three-fourths said the results could meaningfully affect their long-term financial plans.
Political affiliation also shaped investors’ expectations. The survey found that 76% believed the election would greatly affect the economy if the party they do not support wins.
Financial professionals were less likely to recommend election-driven portfolio changes. Sixty-three percent of surveyed advisors said maintaining an existing investment strategy is generally the best course during an election year, while 23% strongly advised against making reactive changes.
The responses also revealed a generational divide. About 72% of surveyed Gen Z investors said they had changed their retirement savings or portfolios ahead of the midterms, compared with 17% of baby boomers.
The Harris Poll conducted the online survey for Nationwide from Aug. 24 through Sept. 11. It included 2,029 adults with at least $10,000 in investable assets and 538 financial advisors and professionals.
Nationwide said the investor results have a credible interval of plus or minus 3 percentage points at a 95% confidence level. The interval for advisors is plus or minus 4.2 percentage points.
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