Trenton, NJ – A new survey of older adults in New Jersey is shedding light on the decisions and missed opportunities that continue to weigh on residents later in life, with financial planning and personal well-being topping the list.
The study, conducted by Choice Mutual and based on responses from 2,000 Americans over age 65, found that regret remains a persistent part of aging, with many respondents reflecting on decades-old choices that continue to impact their lives today.
Financial and health decisions lead list of regrets
The most commonly cited regret among New Jersey seniors was not saving or investing earlier in life, with many respondents saying they delayed financial planning until their 40s or 50s. Close behind was failing to prioritize health, including skipping routine checkups and neglecting long-term fitness.
“Regret is powerful, but it doesn’t have to be paralyzing,” said Anthony Martin, founder of Choice Mutual. “What stood out most in this survey is how many older adults still believe in new beginnings.”
Key Points
- Top regret among seniors is not saving or investing earlier
- 56% say regrets have impacted their mental well-being
- Majority say it is never too late to make meaningful life changes
Other leading regrets centered on missed life experiences, including not traveling more, avoiding risks due to fear or self-doubt, and failing to spend enough time with family. Respondents also pointed to strained or lost relationships, with many wishing they had addressed personal issues sooner or maintained closer connections.
Relationships and missed opportunities remain lasting themes
Below are the top 10 regrets New Jersey seniors say stay with them the most – and what each one really means.
1. Not saving or investing earlier in life
This is the topper of regrets: the one almost everyone nods at. Many respondents said they didn’t take saving seriously until their 40s or 50s – long after compounding interest could have done the heavy lifting.
2. Not prioritizing health and fitness sooner
Few wish they had spent more time on the sofa. New Jersey respondents talked about ignoring small aches, skipping checkups, and spending decades putting everyone else first.
3. Not traveling more when they had the chance
Life always seemed to get in the way – kids, jobs, bills, or just the belief that there would always be time later. Many said they regret postponing big trips for more “sensible” priorities. Now, with health and mobility more top of mind, those stamps missing from the passport feel especially sharp.
4. Letting fear or self-doubt hold them back
Whether it was starting a business, moving cities, or simply taking a risk, many New Jerseyans felt they played it too safe. Fear of failing – or of what people might think – seems harmless in the moment, but over time, those unlived experiences stack up.
5. Not spending enough time with family
Work deadlines, travel, and the busy churn of daily life edged out family time more often than people realized. By the time the pace of life slows, kids are grown, parents are older, and many wish they had made more memories instead of more to-do lists.
6. Staying in a relationship they should have left sooner
A surprisingly candid regret. Some stayed “for stability,” others out of habit. Many said the emotional cost of staying was far higher than the upheaval of leaving would have been.
7. Letting important relationships fade
Friendships, siblings, old mentors – sometimes the people who once meant the most get lost in life’s shuffle. Respondents regretted not reaching out sooner or not fighting harder to keep certain relationships alive.
8. Not pursuing a passion or dream
It’s rarely the dream itself they mourn – it’s the version of themselves they never explored. Whether it was learning an instrument, going back to school, or starting a side business, many New Jersey respondents said they talked themselves out of it for impractical reasons they now barely remember.
9. Not planning well for retirement
Even those who tried to be responsible admitted they underestimated both the cost of retirement and the speed at which life can change.
10. Avoiding tough conversations
From apologies that were never made, to boundaries that were never set, to truths they didn’t share – avoiding difficult conversations ranked surprisingly high. Many said these moments snowballed into bigger regrets over time.
The survey found that emotional and personal decisions carried long-term consequences. Some respondents said they stayed in relationships longer than they should have, while others regretted letting important friendships fade.
Avoiding difficult conversations also ranked among the top regrets, with many saying unresolved issues grew more significant over time.
When asked about pivotal life moments, 22% said they wished they had saved a relationship, while 21% pointed to conversations they never had.
Regret tied to mental health and reflection
More than half of respondents, 56%, said their regrets have affected their mental health, underscoring the lasting emotional impact of earlier life decisions.
On average, respondents said regret begins to take on greater weight around age 43, when long-term consequences become more apparent.
Despite that, many seniors remain forward-looking. The survey found that 66% believe it is never too late to pursue meaningful change, with goals including travel, learning new skills, improving health, and reconnecting with others.
Daily reflection is also common, with 34% of respondents saying they think about their regrets every day, while 38% revisit them a few times each month.
Seniors still pursuing unfinished goals
Even later in life, respondents reported ongoing ambitions. Among the most common goals were taking a major trip (18%), learning a new skill (17%), moving to a new place (17%), and reconnecting with someone from their past (15%).
Martin emphasized that perspective. “Whether it’s reconnecting with someone, taking that long-delayed trip, or finally pursuing a long-held dream, people aren’t giving up on the idea that meaningful change can happen at any age,” he said.
