What Is the Average Retirement Savings by Age? - NerdWallet (2024)

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Are you saving enough for retirement? Many financial pros recommend putting away 10% to 15% of your income for retirement, but that's not always possible and it's not always happening.

According to the Federal Reserve's 2022 Survey of Consumer Finances — the most recent data available — 54.4% of all families hold retirement accounts. That means almost half of America is not investing for retirement.

So, while we can tell you the average and median retirement savings by age, keep in mind those amounts only tell a portion of the story.

» Learn more: See additional retirement account statistics

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Average retirement savings balance by age

Based on data from the 2022 Survey of Consumer Finances, the average retirement savings for all families is $333,940. The average retirement savings by age is:

Age group

Average retirement savings balance amount

Under 35

$49,130.

35-44

$141,520.

45-54

$313,220.

55-64

$537,560.

65-74

$609,230.

75 and older

$462,4100.

Source: Federal Reserve Board

Median retirement savings balance by age

Because averages can be heavily skewed by outliers — in other words, the savings of over- and underachievers in each group — we’ve also included median balances in the breakdown below.

The median can often provide a more representative number than the average, and you’ll notice that the median numbers are quite a bit lower than the averages. (All data is from the 2022 Survey of Consumer Finances unless otherwise noted.)

Age group

Median retirement savings balance amount

Under 35

$18,880.

35-44

$45,000.

45-54

$115,000.

55-64

$185,000.

65-74

$200,000.

75 and older

$130,000.

Source: Federal Reserve Board

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Retirement savings by age

Under 35

In the Survey of Consumer Finances, nearly 50% of families headed by someone under age 35 had retirement accounts — meant here to include IRAs, Keoghs and certain employer-sponsored accounts such as 401(k)s, 403(b)s and thrift savings accounts.

Of the families in this age group who have retirement holdings, the average value of those holdings is $49,130, and the median value is $18,880.

» Dive into this article about how much to save for retirement

Ages 35 to 44

  • Average household retirement savings: $141,520.

  • Median household retirement savings: $45,000.

According to the data, nearly 62% of households headed by someone in this age range had retirement accounts.

The average and median values of this group’s retirement holdings are significantly higher than those under age 35. An IRA can be a great way to increase retirement savings while juggling other financial priorities such as childcare, living expenses, and more.

» Learn how to open an IRA

Ages 45 to 54

  • Average household retirement savings: $313,220.

  • Median household retirement savings: $115,000.

About 62% of households headed by someone between the ages of 45 and 54 have retirement holdings, according to the survey.

Ages 55 to 64

  • Average household retirement savings: $537,560.

  • Median household retirement savings: $185,000.

This age range is close to Social Security’s definition of full retirement age, which ranges from 65 to 67, depending on your year of birth. About 57% of households headed by a baby boomer have retirement holdings.

Ages 65 to 74

  • Average household retirement savings: $609,230.

  • Median household retirement savings: $200,000.

The bulk of these households include someone who is in retirement, or is of retirement age. According to this survey, 51% of this age group have retirement accounts.

Ages 75 and older

  • Average household retirement savings: $462,410.

  • Median household retirement savings: $130,000.

After this point, average and median retirement account values begin to fall, as does the percentage of people who have retirement accounts.

» Looking to boost your savings? Those 50 or older get higher 401(k) contribution limits

What are the average and median retirement savings?

The average retirement savings for all families is $333,940, according to the 2022 Survey of Consumer Finances. The median retirement savings for all families is $87,000. Taken on their own, those numbers aren’t incredibly helpful. After all, not everyone who is the same age will retire at the same time.

Many other things play a role in retirement savings, too: income, planned retirement spending, expected retirement age, life expectancy, and even systemic inequity. If you look at the data for Black families, for example, you'll see that 34.8% have a retirement account. For Hispanic families, that number is 27.5%.

» Learn more about retirement savings and people of color

However, retirement savings balances do tend to increase with age, partly due to factors such as increased earnings over the years, compound interest, and more. If you've been struggling to fund retirement accounts, our guide on how to save money may help.

» Need more guidance? Check out our retirement planning guide

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What Is the Average Retirement Savings by Age? - NerdWallet (5)

The bottom line

Most people are entering their golden years with too little stashed away. According to an April 2024 AARP survey of adults who are saving for retirement, 31% said they aren't sure they will have enough saved and 33% said they will not have enough saved.

If you want to find out how much you personally will need to retire, a retirement calculator can help. If that calculator tells you you’re behind, an IRA can be a good place to start catching up if you can afford to start putting money away.

If you have more concerns about your retirement progress and can invest in additional help, a financial advisor or robo-advisor might be a good option.

» Find the best IRA account for you

What Is the Average Retirement Savings by Age? - NerdWallet (2024)

FAQs

What Is the Average Retirement Savings by Age? - NerdWallet? ›

The above chart shows that U.S. residents 35 and under have an average of $30,170 in retirement savings; those 35 to 44 have an average $131,950; those 45 to 54 have an average $254,720; those 55 to 64 have an average $408,420; those 65 to 74 have an average $426,070; and those over 70 have an average $357,920.

What is the actual average retirement savings by age? ›

The above chart shows that U.S. residents 35 and under have an average of $30,170 in retirement savings; those 35 to 44 have an average $131,950; those 45 to 54 have an average $254,720; those 55 to 64 have an average $408,420; those 65 to 74 have an average $426,070; and those over 70 have an average $357,920.

How many people have $1,000,000 in retirement savings? ›

However, not a huge percentage of retirees end up having that much money. In fact, statistically, around 10% of retirees have $1 million or more in savings.

Can I retire at 62 with $400,000 in 401k? ›

You can retire a little early on $400,000, but it won't be easy. If you have the option of working and saving for a few more years, it will give you a significantly more comfortable retirement.

What is a good 401k balance by age? ›

However, the general rule of thumb, according to Fidelity Investments, is that you should aim to save at least the equivalent of your salary by age 30, three times your salary by age 40, six times by age 50, eight times by 60 and 10 times by 67.

What percentage of retirees have $3 million dollars? ›

Specifically, those with over $1 million in retirement accounts are in the top 3% of retirees. The Employee Benefit Research Institute (EBRI) estimates that 3.2% of retirees have over $1 million, and a mere 0.1% have $5 million or more, based on data from the Federal Reserve Survey of Consumer Finances.

What is the average Social Security check? ›

Social Security offers a monthly benefit check to many kinds of recipients. As of December 2023, the average check is $1,767.03, according to the Social Security Administration – but that amount can differ drastically depending on the type of recipient. In fact, retirees typically make more than the overall average.

What is considered wealthy in retirement? ›

To be considered wealthy at age 65 or older, you need a household net worth of $3.2 million, according to finance expert Geoffrey Schmidt, CPA, who used data from the 2019 Survey of Consumer Finances (SCF) to determine the household net worth needed at age 65 or older to determine the various percentiles of wealth in ...

What net worth is considered rich? ›

While having a net worth of about $2.2 million is seen as the benchmark for being rich in America, it's essential to remember that wealth is a subjective concept. Healthy financial habits and personal perspectives on money are crucial in defining and achieving wealth.

How much do most Americans retire with? ›

The average retirement savings for all families is $333,940, according to the 2022 Survey of Consumer Finances. The median retirement savings for all families is $87,000. Taken on their own, those numbers aren't incredibly helpful. After all, not everyone who is the same age will retire at the same time.

Is $1500 a month enough to retire on? ›

While $1,500 might not be enough for non-housing retirement expenses for many people, it doesn't mean it's impossible to stick to this or other amounts, such as if you're already retired and don't have the ability to increase your budget.

How long will $600,000 last in retirement? ›

You expect to withdraw 4% each year, starting with a $24,000 withdrawal in Year One. Your money earns a 5% annual rate of return while inflation stays at 2.9%. Based on those numbers, $600,000 would be enough to last you 30 years in retirement.

Can I retire at 62 with 150k? ›

If you're naturally frugal and you plan to live a low-key, minimalist lifestyle in retirement then $150,000 might serve you well. On the other hand, if you'd like to enjoy a more lavish lifestyle or you have a serious health issue that results in high out-of-pocket costs, $150,000 may not go that far at all.

At what age should you have 100k in your 401k? ›

“By the time you hit 33 years old, you should have $100,000 saved somewhere,” he said, urging viewers that they can accomplish this goal. “Save 20 percent of your paycheck and let the market grow at 5% to 7% per year,” O'Leary said in the video.

How much does the top 1 have in retirement savings? ›

Here is a breakdown of the estimated top 1% retirement savings by age group:
  • 30-34 years: $365,000.
  • 35-39 years: $730,000.
  • 40-44 years: $1,234,600.
  • 45-49 years: $1,397,000.
  • 50-54 years: $2,311,000.
  • 55-59 years: $3,105,000.
  • 60-64 years: $3,550,000.
  • 65-69 years: $4,574,000.
Apr 30, 2024

What is the 80 20 rule for 401k? ›

Put 80% of your money into retirement accounts like 401ks or IRAs, and 20% in high-yield investments. Invest 80% of your money in passive index funds or ETFs and the remaining 20% in real estate. Put 80% of your money into blue-chip stocks and 20% in bonds or small and midsized companies.

What is a realistic amount to save for retirement? ›

Our guideline: Aim to save at least 15% of your pre-tax income1 each year, which includes any employer match. That's assuming you save for retirement from age 25 to age 67. Together with other steps, that should help ensure you have enough income to maintain your current lifestyle in retirement.

How many people have $500,000 in retirement? ›

How much do people save for retirement? In 2022, about 46% of households reported any savings in retirement accounts. Twenty-six percent had saved more than $100,000, and 9% had more than $500,000. These percentages were only somewhat higher for older people.

Is $100,000 in retirement at 30 good? ›

“By the time you're 40, you should have three times your annual salary saved. Based on the median income for Americans in this age bracket, $100K between 25-30 years old is pretty good; but you would need to increase your savings to reach your age 40 benchmark.”

What is considered a good monthly retirement income? ›

As a result, an oft-stated rule of thumb suggests workers can base their retirement on a percentage of their current income. “Seventy to 80% of pre-retirement income is good to shoot for,” said Ben Bakkum, senior investment strategist with New York City financial firm Betterment, in an email.

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