If you're like the majority of people, you probably need to step up yourretirementsavingsefforts. The Federal Reserve's 2022Survey of Consumer Finances,found that the median value of Americans' retirement accounts was only $87,000. And only 54.4% of American families had retirement accounts in 2022.
Retirement nest egg sizes vary by generation. Baby Boomers saved the highest, with an average retirement savings of about $289,000. Compare that with Generation X's average of $82,000, Millennials, who saved an average of $49,000, and Generation Z, who saved a median of $29,000 for retirement, according to Transamerica Center.
Let's look at what people in various age groups have saved for retirement and how it stacks up to what the experts recommend.
Key Takeaways
- The size of retirement nest eggs vary by generation.
- Studies show that most people need to step up their retirement savingsefforts.
- Baby Boomers are saving the most for retirement, according to Transamerica Center.
- Aim to save at least 15% of your pre-tax income and make sureyou contribute enough to your 401(k) to get the full benefit of your employer matchif one is offered.
- It is never too early in your career to put a retirement plan together and it's never too late to start one, either.
Twentysomethings
If you're in your 20s and just starting your career,your paycheck probably reflects that fact. You're also likely to be carrying a fair amount ofstudent loan debt. According to the Report on the Economic Well-Being of U.S. Households, most borrowers owe less than $25,000 on their student loans. Still, this generation is saving a median of $29,000 for retirement.
On the bright side, those in their20s have around 40years before they retire, which is a lot of time to make up a shortfall. The single most important thing to do is to contribute to your employer-sponsored retirement plans, such as a401(k) planor403(b) plan. You can contribute up to $23,000 in 2024 ($22,500 in 2023).
Investment management firm Fidelityrecommends that youput aside at least 15% of your pre-tax income a year for retirement. If you can't save 15% of your salary, save as much as you can, and at least save enough toget the full benefit of your company'smatching contributionif oneis offered. Don't turn away free money.
| Mean Retirement Savings Balances by Age Group (2022) | |
|---|---|
| Age Group | Account Balances |
| Under 35 | $49,130 |
| 35 to 44 | $141,520 |
| 45 to 54 | $313,220 |
| 55 to 64 | $537,560 |
| 65 to 74 | $609,230 |
| 75 and over | $462,410 |
Source: Survey of Consumer Finances (SCF)
Thirtysomethings
If you're in your 30s, you've likely gotten out of those entry-level pay grades. But life may be more complicated now. You might be married, have children,maybe a home, and you're probably still paying off your student loans. With everything from the mortgage to soccer cleats to an unexpected car repair taking a bite out of your paycheck,saving for retirement may fall by the wayside.
Data from Transamerica showsthirtysomethings have a median of $49,000 saved. Depending on your age and salary, you might be okay. Fidelity suggests having the equivalent of your annual salary saved as a nest egg at age 30, twice your salary at age 35, and three times your salary by the time you exit your 30s. To reach these goals, considertightening up your budget and increasing the percentage you're saving annually.
If youhaven't started saving yet, you willneed to save a higher percentage of your annual income. For instance, if you don't start saving until you are 30, Fidelity recommends you put aside 18% of your salary a year. Someone starting at age 35 should try for 23% a year. Putting aside nearly a quarter of your income for retirementis a tall order for anyone with monthly bills and debt, and this underscores the importance of saving early.
Don't be too conservative with your investing choices. You're still young enough to weather big market downswings—even the kind that occurred in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. That's because your portfolio has time to recover.
65%
The proportion of workers who saved $250,000 or more increases with age: 12% of Generation Z, 24% of Millennials, 31% of Generation X, and 51% of Baby Boomers.
Fortysomethings
You're probably in the prime of your career when you're in your 40s. You've paid your dues and hopefully, you have a salary that reflects that. With any luck, you'll come to the end of those student loan payments sometime in this decade, freeing up more money. Butthe house is bigger. The kids are older and may need help buying a car or paying for school. And if you're honest, you might be blowing money on things you could do without.
The estimated median total household retirement savings was $65,000 among all workers. Remember that Fidelity recommends that you have three times your annual salary saved by the time you reach 40. So, if you're making $55,000, you should have a balance of $165,000 already banked. At age 45, it is recommended you have four times your annual salary saved and six times that level by the time you reach 50.
If you are behind (and even if you're not), you should try to max out your 401(k) contributions. If you don't already have anIndividual Retirement Account (IRA), start one and try to max that out as well. You can contribute up to $7,000 for 2024 ($6,500 for 2023).
To reach these goals, consider putting any raises you get toward retirement savings. And if you no longer have student loan payments, commit those sums to your nest egg as well.
Fiftysomethings
If you're in your 50s, you're nearing retirement age. But that doesn't mean you've lost hope. You still have time to save. But you also might be paying your children's college tuition and helping them with car payments, gasoline, and other expenses. The house may be getting older and needfixing up, and your medical bills are almost certainly rising.
The estimated median savings offiftysomethings is about $82,000, which is a far cry from the desirable six to eighttimesannual income that Fidelity recommends.
If you are 50 or older, you can make a catch-up contribution, which is an extra $1,000 a year to your IRA and an extra $7,500 a year to your 401(k) or 403(b) in 2023. The numbers stay the same in 2024 for an IRA catch-up contribution. For 401(k) accounts it increases to $8,000.
Besides taking advantage of catch-up contributions, consider downsizing by selling your home and collecting any appreciated value. If you have company stock options or other assets, don't forget to consider those as part of your retirement balance, even if they don't sit in a retirement account. Consider meeting with a financial planner, especially one who specializes in retirement, to get things in order.
| Retirement Savings Preparedness by Age Group | ||
|---|---|---|
| Age Group | Savings (%) | On Track? (%) |
| 18 to 29 | 57% | 24% |
| 30 to 44 | 72% | 32% |
| 45 to 59 | 81% | 34% |
| 60 and over | 88% | 41% |
Source: Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System. “Economic Well-Being of U.S. Households in 2022.” Page 69.
Sixtysomethings
This can be the decade when you begin to reap the rewards of decades of saving. By the time you reach 60, you should have eight times your annual salary saved, according to Fidelity, while those who are 67 should have 10 times your salary saved.
Transamerica reports the estimated median savings for sixtysomethings is $289,000.At this point, it’s harder to save enough to make up for any shortfall. If you are behind on your savings, take a hard lookat your assets and see what can be monetized at some point to help sustain you.
This is also the decade you can start receivingSocial Securitybenefits. Most older adults find this to be a significant source of monthly income. For instance, the average monthly benefit for a retired worker as of January 2024 was $1,909.01 per month.
Tips on Saving for Retirement
So how do you start saving for retirement? One of the easiest ways is to enroll in an employer-sponsored program like a 401(k) if your company has one. Payroll deposits take out all the guesswork of saving because your employer deducts pre-tax income so you don't have to do it yourself. And if your company offers matching contributions, you get even more (free!) money saved for you. One benefit to 401(k)s and similar accounts are that they lower your taxable income, which means you may owe less at the end of the year.
Another option you may want to consider is setting up an emergency fund. This can be a highly liquid account, such as a savings account. You can set up automatic transfers from your checking account to your emergency savings fund every time you get paid. Like payroll deductions, you don't have to do anything.
Regardless of what age you begin saving, note down your goals and how much money you'll need for retirement. This means adding up the income you expect to have. Then deduct all of your expenses, including housing, food, clothing, transportation, healthcare, and bills. Don't forget to include things like entertainment and travel. This will give you a general idea of how much you'll need so you can be realistic in determining how much you'll need to save.
As with anything else, make sure you talk to a financial professional, such as an investment advisor or a retirement specialist. These individuals are experienced and can help you work through all the ins and outs of saving for retirement
How Much Does the Average 65-Year-Old Have Saved for Retirement?
The median household headed by a person or people aged 65 to 74 had savings of about $200,000 in retirement accounts, according to the latest Federal Reserve numbers.
I Don't Have Access to a 401(k). How Can I Save for Retirement?
A self-employed person, a freelancer, or anyone else with earned income can open an individual retirement account and benefit from its tax advantages. You can open an IRA at most banks, brokerages, and other financial institutions.
You won't get an employer match, but you will get a tax break on your savings. A traditional IRA lets you reduce your taxable income for the year while depositing that income in your account. If you choose a Roth IRA, you pay the income taxes owed on that amount that year but won't owe any tax on the amount you withdraw later.
In any case, unlike a salaried employee, you'll have a vast number of choices for your money. You can invest in stocks, bonds, exchange-traded funds, or mutual funds.
I'm Living Paycheck to Paycheck. How Can I Save for Retirement?
The least painful way to set aside money for retirement is probably the traditional 401(k) or, if you're a freelancer or self-employed, a traditional IRA. The money you deposit in this type of account is pre-tax. In other words, you won't pay income tax on that money in the year you deposit it. That reduces your adjusted gross income for the year, meaning your tax bill shrinks. It's a smaller hit on your take-home income than the alternative, a Roth 401(k) or IRA.
Can I Start Saving for Retirement When I'm 45?
It's never too late to start saving for retirement at any age, so of course you can begin socking away money for your future. It takes some discipline and a good plan. How much you should save depends entirely on who you ask. But Fidelity suggests that you should save at least 15% of your pre-tax income each year. Talk to a financial professional, like an investment advisor or retirement specialist to choose the right mix of investment vehicles that are appropriate for your age and risk tolerance.
How Long Will My Retirement Savings Last?
That depends on several factors. This includes the kind of lifestyle you lead, your expenses, and how much you have saved. You can estimate how much your savings will last, though, by using a calculator. You can find a number of these online. But you can also do the calculations on your own, First, determine how much income you expect to have then add up all of your expenses—and don't forget anything. Make sure you include your housing, food, clothing, transportation, healthcare, and travel.
The Bottom Line
The amount needed for retirement is different for everyone. Nevertheless, there are benchmarks you can try to hit at every decade of your life. It's never too early in your career to put a plan together, but it's never too late to start, either.
