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

Retirement savings by age

Under 35

  • Average household retirement savings: $49,130.

  • Median household retirement savings: $18,880.

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 (2)

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.

What percentage of retirees have $2 million dollars? ›

According to EBRI estimates based on the latest Federal Reserve Survey of Consumer Finances, 3.2% of retirees have over $1 million in their retirement accounts, while just 0.1% have $5 million or more.

What is the ideal 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.

How much does Dave Ramsey say you need to retire? ›

Some folks will need $10 million to have the kind of retirement lifestyle they've always dreamed about. Others can comfortably live out their golden years with a $1 million nest egg. There's no right or wrong answer here—it all depends on how you want to live in retirement!

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

How Many People Have $1,000,000 in Retirement Savings? According to Fidelity's Q3 2023 report, about 378,000 people had more than a million dollars in their 401(k)s.

What is considered a good monthly retirement income? ›

Many retirees fall far short of that amount, but their savings may be supplemented with other forms of income. According to data from the BLS, average 2022 incomes after taxes were as follows for older households: 65-74 years: $63,187 per year or $5,266 per month. 75 and older: $47,928 per year or $3,994 per month.

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 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.

Are you rich if your net worth is $2 million? ›

Being rich currently means having a net worth of about $2.2 million. However, this number fluctuates over time, and you can measure wealth according to your financial priorities. As a result, healthy financial habits, like spending less than you make, are critical to becoming wealthy, no matter your definition.

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.

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

How much does Suze Orman say you need to retire? ›

'$2 Million Is Nothing' Suze Orman Warns Don't Retire If You Don't Have At Least $5 Million Or $10 Million Saved.

Do most people retire with enough money? ›

After adding in Social Security benefits, which is about $23,000 annually, that results in retirement income of about $81,000 each year — or above the median household income of $74,580. Of course, most Americans are far from reaching $1.46 million in savings — and many head into retirement with no savings at all.

What is the 80 20 rule Dave Ramsey? ›

There's an 80-20 rule for money Dave Ramsey teaches which says managing your finances is 80 percent behavior and 20 percent knowledge. This 80-20 rule also applies to constructing a healthy life. Personal wellness is 80 percent behavior and 20 percent knowledge.

What is a realistic amount to save for retirement? ›

It's the million-dollar question — quite literally: How much should I save for retirement? There is a general rule of thumb: When saving for retirement, most financial experts recommend an annual retirement savings goal of 10% to 15% of your pre-tax income.

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.”

Can I retire at 50 with 300k? ›

Let's walk through the scenario. With $300,000 planned for your use as a retiree, a retirement age of 50, and an anticipated life expectancy of 85 years, you need that money to last you 35 years. This should mean that your yearly income is around $8,571, and your monthly payment is around $714.

How much does the average 70 year old have in savings? ›

The Federal Reserve also measures median and mean (average) savings across other types of financial assets. According to the data, the average 70-year-old has approximately: $60,000 in transaction accounts (including checking and savings) $127,000 in certificate of deposit (CD) accounts.

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