Affordability today, automation tomorrow: new research finds manufacturing workers are actively planning for retirement, but rising financial pressures and workforce transformation are reshaping benefit needs
New Economist Enterprise research, supported by Nuveen, explores how affordability concerns, caregiving challenges and workforce transitions are creating new opportunities for manufacturing employers to use benefits as a strategic advantage.
Manufacturing employers are preparing for two major workforce transitions: the retirement of a significant share of their workforce and the increasing adoption of automation. New research released today suggests that while many manufacturing workers are actively planning for retirement, rising affordability pressures and evolving workforce expectations are creating new challenges for employers seeking to attract and retain talent.
Economist Enterprise’s 2025 Benefits 2.0 survey, supported by Nuveen, finds that manufacturing workers are more proactive about retirement planning than employees in many other sectors. Half of manufacturing employees report actively reviewing and adjusting their retirement plans, compared with just 32% of workers in other industries. However, engagement varies significantly across the workforce, with participation increasing among senior employees and falling sharply among junior workers.
“Manufacturing employers are facing a unique challenge: preparing for tomorrow’s workforce while supporting employees who feel the financial pressures of today,” said Brendan McCarthy, Head of Retirement Investing, Nuveen. “The research shows that benefits can play a much larger role than simply supplementing compensation. Thoughtfully designed retirement, healthcare, caregiving, and career development benefits can help employers strengthen retention, attract the next generation of workers and better position their workforce for long-term change.”
The findings highlight growing affordability concerns across the manufacturing workforce. Manufacturing employees are more likely to switch to lower-cost benefit tiers, delay major life decisions and postpone retirement as costs rise. The data also points to caregiving as a growing challenge, with one-third of manufacturing caregivers reporting difficulty accessing or using employer caregiving benefits within the past year, compared with 14% of caregivers in other industries.
At the same time, employees are increasingly looking toward the future of work. More than half of manufacturing workers expect automation to increase the importance of training and career development opportunities, while many anticipate greater emphasis on skills-based pay and workforce development as technology continues to reshape the sector.
The research suggests manufacturing employers have an opportunity to transform benefits from a compensating factor into a strategic workforce tool by helping employees address immediate affordability concerns while building confidence in a rapidly evolving workplace. Strong benefits already influence workforce decisions, with 46% of manufacturing workers citing benefits as a key reason for staying in the industry and 59% reporting they have accepted or applied for a job with equal or lower pay in exchange for better benefits.
The full findings, including industry-specific data highlights and editorial analysis, are available through the Benefits 2.0 manufacturing research hub.
About Nuveen
Nuveen, a TIAA Company, is a global investment leader, managing $1.4 trillion in public and private assets for clients around the world, as of June 30, 2026. With broad expertise across income and alternatives, we invest in the growth of businesses, real estate, infrastructure, and natural capital, providing clients with the reliability, access, and foresight unique to our 125+ year heritage. Our prevailing perspective on the future drives our ambition to innovate and adapt our business to the changing needs of investors — all to pursue lasting performance for our clients, our communities, and our global economy.
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