Millennials Seek Early Retirement and Values-Aligned Investments, but Lack Investing Confidence

Parnassus Investments launches ebook to help investors pursue growth and values-aligned goals

SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--A new survey of 500 millennials from Parnassus Investments, a pioneer in sustainable investing, found that 79% want to retire early but only 35% have a high level of confidence about investing.

In addition, 84% of millennials said it was important that their investments align with their values, but 53% said it was hard to do.

The survey also revealed that millennials have other values-driven objectives:

• 87% say they want to help make a difference in the world.
• 86% say environmental or social issues are an important part of their daily lives (e.g., recycling, consumption choices or workplace issues).
• 84% say they would like to have more money to support the causes that matter most to them.

Two-thirds of millennials say they taught themselves how to invest; only 36% use a financial advisor. When it comes to risk, they tend to approach investing with moderation, with only 14% identifying as high-risk takers (defined as comfortable with investments that may fall 20% or more for a chance to rise 20%). Instead, 59% say they are moderate investors, while 27% are conservative.

Their primary financial goals are to grow their money (63%), save for retirement (51%) and have emergency savings (50%). Their biggest investing concerns are economic uncertainty (44%), market volatility or fear of losing money (40%), high fees or costs (37%), not enough knowledge about where to start (31%), and too many investment options (27%).

Parnassus Launches Your Story. Your Money. Your Way.

In response to these insights, Parnassus developed resources specifically tailored to the age, situation and interests of millennials to help them invest in line with their financial goals and values. The firm’s new free ebook, Your Story. Your Money. Your Way. serves as a practical guide to investing based on millennials’ priorities and concerns.

The ebook aims to help individuals feel empowered by taking steps to improve their chances of achieving their financial and personal goals. Written for new investors and those seeking growth plus values-aligned investments, the story follows three fictional millennial investors who each take a different path to achieving their objectives. It offers simple and actionable tips on the importance of starting early, managing risk through diversification, periodically rebalancing investments, and more.

The ebook also outlines ways to pursue long-term asset growth while investing with purpose. The guide introduces the Investing Values Engine, a free self-assessment tool that helps people define how their values translate into investment principles.

“Millennials are at an important stage in life, particularly when it comes to investing, because they have the benefit of time on their side,” said Joe Sinha, Chief Marketing Officer at Parnassus Investments. “They live with intention, and they want their investments to reflect that by building financial security while staying mindful of the world around them. This ebook is our attempt to meet them where they are and help make the path forward feel less overwhelming, so they can start investing toward financial freedom.”

The centerpiece of the campaign to launch the ebook is a series of “Voices on the Street” videos that showcase millennials sharing their insights.

To download a free copy of the ebook, Your Story. Your Money. Your Way., visit: info.parnassus.com/yourway

About the Survey

The Parnassus Millennial Survey was conducted online in the fourth quarter of 2025 (from October 12 – 18) by Logit Group among 500 millennial respondents nationwide, ages 29 – 44.

About Parnassus Investments

Parnassus Investments is a research-driven investment boutique founded in 1984 on the belief that a well-managed responsible investment strategy could outperform traditional approaches. It offers a focused set of actively managed equity investment strategies. Its investment team carefully selects a small number of companies for their portfolios, investing in high-quality businesses they believe have durable competitive advantages, increasingly relevant products or services, strong management teams and sustainable business practices to create enduring value for investors. Headquartered in San Francisco, California, Parnassus has 87 employees. The firm manages or advises on $45 billion as of December 31, 2025. For more information, please visit parnassus.com and follow us on LinkedIn.

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