Average Retirement Savings in 2023: How Do You Compare? | The Motley Fool (2024)

Table of Contents
How much does the average American have saved for retirement? We dug into the statistics to find out. Key findings Key findings Average retirement savings Average retirement savings: $65,000 By age Average retirement savings of Americans under 35: $13,000 Average retirement savings by age (median) Average retirement savings by age (mean) 62% of Americans aged 18 to 29 have retirement savings, but only 28% feel on track Federal Reserve 55% of non-retirees have a 401(k) or 403(b), 25% have no retirement savings By college degree Average retirement savings of Americans with a college degree: $119,000 Average retirement savings by level of education (median) Average retirement savings by level of education (mean) By race Average retirement savings by race: white Americans saved $45,000 more than Black Americans Average retirement savings by race or ethnicity (median) Average retirement savings by race or ethnicity (mean) Related retirement topics By percentile of net worth Average retirement savings for Americans with a top-ten percentile net worth have grown fastest over the last 30 years Average retirement savings by percentile of net worth (median) Average retirement savings by percentile of net worth (mean) 57% of all retirees use a pension or retirement plan as a source of income Pension Retirement age: 51% of Americans retire at 61 or younger Make a retirement plan and stay the course Expert advice on retirement Expert advice on retirement Keri Dogan Sources Invest Smarter with The Motley Fool Join Over Half a Million Premium Members Receiving… HOW THE MOTLEY FOOL CAN HELP YOU Motley Fool Returns Our Guides FAQs

Research>Average Retirement Savings

How much does the average American have saved for retirement? We dug into the statistics to find out.

ByJack Caporal –UpdatedSep 26, 2023 at 10:46AM

The COVID-19 pandemic has created a huge amount of economic uncertainty. Many people are unsure of their financial future -- so much so that 40% of Americans are afraid they won't be able to retire because of financial setbacks related to the pandemic.

Of course, retirement planning is a very personal journey. The amount you need to save depends on your age, income, desired retirement income, inflation, and more.

Average Retirement Savings in 2023: How Do You Compare? | The Motley Fool (1)

Image source: The Motley Fool

So what is the average retirement savings in the United States? How does the average retirement savings by age vary? Do education and race affect retirement savings? We dug into the most recent data to find out.

Key findings

Key findings

  • In 2019, the average retirement savings for American households was $65,000.
  • The average American under 35 has $13,000 saved for retirement.
  • 62% of Americans aged 18 to 29 have some retirement savings, but only 30% percent feel on track for retirement.
  • 55% of non-retirees have a 401(k) or 403(b) while 25% have no retirement savings.
  • Americans with a high school degree have an average retirement savings account value of $20,000, while those with a college degree have an average account value of $119,000.
  • The average retirement savings of white Americans was roughly $45,000 more than that of Black and Hispanic Americans.
  • Retirement savings for households in the bottom 25% of net worth grew by $2,710 from 1989 to 2019. Savings for the top 10% of net worth grew by over $600,000 during that same time period.
  • 51% of Americans retire at 61 or earlier, and 23% retire between 62 and 64, before Medicare coverage kicks in at 65. White Americans tend to retire later than Black or Hispanic Americans, despite having more savings.

Average retirement savings

Average retirement savings: $65,000

The average retirement savings for American households have grown every three years since 1989 with few exceptions.

The figures below are based on the 2019 Survey of Consumer Finances, the most recent set of data available. The data shows that Americans are saving more for retirement than they did 30 years ago. This is especially good considering that life expectancy has consistently gone up over the decades.

Data source: Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (2020).
YearMedian retirement account savings (2019 dollars)
1989$21,878
1992$25,028
1995$28,378
1998$37,747
2001$42,460
2004$47,720
2007$55,548
2010$51,843
2013$64,792
2016$63,814
2019$65,000

The mean retirement savings among Americans is significantly higher than the median savings, indicating some large outliers. We'll see a bit later that high earners have over $600,000 more in retirement savings than lower earners, likely accounting for some of this discrepancy.

Data source: Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (2020).
YearMean retirement account savings (2019 dollars)
1989$75,674
1992$79,516
1995$95,642
1998$119,972
2001$151,481
2004$166,874
2007$181,844
2010$201,314
2013$220,891
2016$243,266
2019$255,125

By age

Average retirement savings of Americans under 35: $13,000

Most retirement savings are accrued after the age of 35 (a trend that parallels the average net worth by age). Median retirement savings grow $30,000 or more every 10 years for Americans over 35 until they reach 75 years of age.

A few factors may be at play in this sharp increase: the power of compounding interest leading to snowballing returns in 401(k)s and similar retirement investing accounts, employer matching plans kicking in, higher incomes resulting in more savings, or a combination of all three.

Average retirement savings by age (median)

Data source: Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (2020).
YearUnder 3535 to 4445 to 5455 to 6465 to 74Over 74
1989$7,960$19,890$33,810$47,730$29,830$31,820
1992$8,040$16,270$50,060$53,630$35,750$50,060
1995$10,020$24,370$46,740$53,420$48,410$39,230
1998$11,010$31,460$55,050$73,920$59,770$47,180
2001$10,110$41,310$69,320$79,430$86,650$69,320
2004$14,910$37,960$75,240$112,520$108,450$40,670
2007$11,850$45,670$77,770$123,440$95,050$43,200
2010$12,490$36,530$70,690$117,820$117,820$63,630
2013$13,180$46,890$95,540$114,210$163,630$75,770
2016$12,780$39,350$87,210$127,630$134,220$127,630
2019$13,000$60,000$100,000$134,000$164,000$83,000

Average retirement savings by age (mean)

Data source: Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (2020).
YearUnder 3535 to 4445 to 5455 to 6465 to 74Over 74
1989$18,220$59,170$103,910$123,930$97,910$65,570
1992$23,910$48,960$125,200$126,940$96,950$99,470
1995$31,480$59,550$145,870$156,660$139,980$99,130
1998$35,530$82,200$142,190$225,310$162,590$146,090
2001$27,250$93,700$183,640$286,570$252,760$183,210
2004$34,370$92,370$192,470$293,460$283,120$160,940
2007$30,830$98,900$189,640$333,850$329,570$130,370
2010$31,660$99,320$202,930$342,940$363,650$204,720
2013$31,730$123,560$192,260$312,990$486,490$260,910
2016$34,540$106,520$229,480$396,760$381,140$357,760
2019$30,170$131,950$254,720$408,420$426,070$357,920

62% of Americans aged 18 to 29 have retirement savings, but only 28% feel on track

Data source: Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (2022).
AgeAny retirement savingsRetirement savings on track
18 to 2962%30%
30 to 4475%39%
45 to 5984%45%
60+87%52%
Overall75%40%

Despite being the youngest age group in the Federal Reserve's dataset, 62% of Americans aged 18 to 29 had some retirement savings. Saving early is a surefire way to work towards a comfortable retirement.

Federal Reserve

The Federal Reserve, often referred to as “the Fed,” is the central bank of the United States.

Despite that, only 30% of that age group felt as though their retirement savings were on track. This could reflect the relatively low amount of savings among Americans under 35 compared to older age groups.

The older the age group, the more likely they are to have retirement savings and feel as though their savings are on track.

Americans remained pessimistic about their preparedness for retirement. Just 45% of those aged 45 to 59 and only 52% of those 60 and over felt prepared.

The Motley Fool recommends putting aside 15% of your annual income for retirement over the course of your career. That may sound like a lot at first, but it’s a goal to work towards. At a minimum, if you participate in a company-sponsored retirement plan, you should try to take full advantage of the company’s matching contributions.

55% of non-retirees have a 401(k) or 403(b), 25% have no retirement savings

That only 55% of non-retirees have a 401(k) or 403(b) and 25% don't have any retirement savings at all is troublesome.

While Social Security is an important social program, it's designed to replace only 40% of the average salary after retirement. Unfortunately, one in five married retired couples and 45% of single retirees depend on Social Security benefits for more than 90% of their income in retirement.

To continue living a lifestyle consistent with the one they had before retirement, retirees need to rely on their own savings as well as Social Security benefits.

The most common form of retirement savings are defined contribution pensions, like 401(k)s and 403(b)s. Over half of Americans have an account like this. And 36% have an individual retirement account (IRA), a similar type of retirement investment account.

Data source: Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (2022).
Forms of retirement savings among non-retireesPercentage of non-retirees
Defined contribution pension (401(k), 403(b))55%
Savings not in retirement accounts52%
IRA36%
Defined benefit pension22%
Other retirement savings13%
Business or real estate10%
None25%

This dataset doesn't differentiate between traditional IRAs, Roth IRAs, and other options – it's good to know the different types of IRAs and which is best for your situation.

By college degree

Average retirement savings of Americans with a college degree: $119,000

Educational attainment has a dramatic impact on retirement savings.

The median retirement account value for someone with no high school diploma was $20,000, nearly $100,000 less than someone with a college degree. And Americans with a high school diploma had median retirement savings of $40,000, double those who had no high school diploma.

The impact of educational attainment on retirement savings has become more pronounced over the past 30 years.

In 1989, Americans with a college degree had saved about $4,000 more than those with no high school diploma, who had saved $19,890 on average. And Americans with a high school diploma had saved just $1,020 more than those without one.

By 2019, the average retirement account value of Americans without a high school diploma hardly grew. Meanwhile, the average retirement savings of those with a high school diploma grew by about $24,000.

The average savings of those with a college degree has grown by $85,010 since 1989, growing faster than those with no high school diploma and those with no college degree.

Average retirement savings by level of education (median)

Data source: Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (2020).
YearNo high school diplomaHigh school diplomaSome collegeCollege degree
1989$19,890$15,910$15,910$33,810
1992$12,510$17,880$21,450$41,120
1995$15,860$25,040$26,710$42,730
1998$18,870$26,420$31,460$64,170
2001$14,440$26,000$30,330$80,880
2004$16,810$27,110$32,540$97,610
2007$18,520$35,800$44,440$98,750
2010$19,210$29,460$35,350$106,040
2013$15,370$36,460$45,020$115,310
2016$38,290$38,290$36,160$124,440
2019$20,000$40,000$41,000$119,000

Average retirement savings by level of education (mean)

Data source: Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (2020).
YearNo high school diplomaHigh school diplomaSome collegeCollege degree
1989$56,170$43,600$52,820$116,980
1992$27,640$49,860$49,160$123,320
1995$35,950$61,420$74,970$149,280
1998$36,220$63,850$79,970$205,680
2001$52,640$71,690$97,130$250,210
2004$42,160$80,880$103,950$269,410
2007$65,010$82,660$115,790$300,430
2010$41,530$89,150$106,720$336,290
2013$43,270$95,570$131,100$342,030
2016$141,970$104,330$136,520$367,240
2019$67,710$119,840$136,480$381,190

Average Retirement Savings in 2023: How Do You Compare? | The Motley Fool (2)

Image source: Getty images

By race

Average retirement savings by race: white Americans saved $45,000 more than Black Americans

It’s well documented that race can play a decisive factor in income and other measures of financial wellbeing. That's true when it comes to retirement savings as well.

White Americans had a median average retirement account value of $80,000 -- $45,000 more than Black Americans and $49,000 more than Hispanic Americans.

Similar to the impact educational attainment has on retirement savings, the median value of retirement savings for white Americans has grown faster than Black and Hispanic Americans since 1989.

Average retirement savings by race or ethnicity (median)

Data source: Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (2020).
YearWhite, non-HispanicBlack, non-HispanicHispanicOther
1989$23,870$11,930$8,550$12,390
1992$26,820$9,830$11,620$35,750
1995$30,210$13,350$20,030$26,710
1998$40,890$17,300$17,300$31,460
2001$50,840$12,280$14,440$38,990
2004$55,580$20,340$20,340$43,380
2007$65,420$32,090$20,980$39,010
2010$63,630$21,210$21,210$45,950
2013$83,460$20,870$17,680$47,770
2016$81,900$26,270$24,460$55,310
2019$80,000$35,000$31,000$47,000

Average retirement savings by race or ethnicity (mean)

Data source: Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (2020).
YearWhite, non-HispanicBlack, non-HispanicHispanicOther
1989$79,740$37,030$49,040$62,470
1992$85,400$35,080$27,860$86,900
1995$103,060$37,260$64,330$87,260
1998$127,270$50,580$71,730$143,660
2001$169,290$46,570$58,620$142,750
2004$185,390$80,970$53,610$117,610
2007$207,430$84,340$80,220$101,950
2010$228,080$62,240$77,030$173,270
2013$259,840$61,830$43,510$144,960
2016$277,510$79,480$102,350$221,820
2019$294,190$109,140$107,010$194,370

White Americans are also more likely to have retirement savings than Black and Hispanic Americans and were likewise more likely to feel as though their retirement savings are on track.

Asian Americans were the most likely to have retirement savings and feel as though their savings are on track.

Data source: Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (2022).
Race/ethnicityAny retirement savingsRetirement savings on track
Asian85%52%
White81%46%
Black64%26%
Hispanic61%25%

Related retirement topics

By percentile of net worth

Average retirement savings for Americans with a top-ten percentile net worth have grown fastest over the last 30 years

It’s no surprise that higher net worth individuals have more retirement savings. What is notable is that the growth in retirement savings for the highest net worth individuals has significantly outpaced growth among lower net worth individuals over the last 30 years.

Median retirement savings among the top 10% of net worth individuals has grown by over 600% since 1989.

Meanwhile, individuals that fall into the bottom 25% in terms of net worth have seen just a 136% increase in their net worth, showing that growing income inequality has long-term effects even after Americans are done working.

That gap is even more striking when you consider that the individuals in the bottom 25% of net worth had a median retirement account value of $1,990 in 1989, while those in the top 10% of net worth had a median retirement account value of $95,470.

For the bottom 25%, a 136% change resulted in an increase of just $2,710 in retirement savings. For the top 10%, median retirement savings grew by over $600,000.

Average retirement savings by percentile of net worth (median)

Data source: Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (2020).
YearLess than 25th percentile25th to 49.9th percentile50th to 74.9th percentile75th to 89.9th percentile90th to 100th percentile
1989$1,990$7,360$19,890$49,720$95,470
1992$1,790$7,510$23,780$52,380$134,080
1995$2,000$12,020$27,380$58,430$166,930
1998$3,300$12,740$44,040$94,370$201,320
2001$2,890$10,830$43,330$115,540$288,850
2004$4,070$15,860$46,090$131,500$363,320
2007$3,700$18,520$61,720$148,130$391,060
2010$5,890$14,140$48,310$156,710$486,620
2013$5,270$13,180$57,100$181,200$494,180
2016$4,570$15,950$55,310$210,590$671,110
2019$4,700$19,000$58,600$192,000$700,000

Average retirement savings by percentile of net worth (mean)

Data source: Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (2020).
YearLess than 25th percentile25th to 49.9th percentile50th to 74.9th percentile75th to 89.9th percentile90th to 100th percentile
1989$4,620$11,440$34,900$77,710$225,860
1992$3,850$11,840$34,560$76,110$261,470
1995$6,120$17,590$37,810$96,940$331,990
1998$6,850$19,710$57,450$123,820$418,380
2001$5,410$20,220$62,280$164,180$548,380
2004$7,080$23,080$65,460$182,740$590,950
2007$8,920$26,400$79,810$195,970$675,150
2010$13,580$21,540$66,510$196,060$756,020
2013$11,540$20,310$75,590$212,050$793,380
2016$11,500$23,180$77,400$245,300$928,740
2019$11,290$27,530$78,670$243,530$946,340

57% of all retirees use a pension or retirement plan as a source of income

Investment accounts can be a powerful tool in planning for retirement, especially if consumers start investing early and make use of employer matches, if available.

57% of retirees use some sort of pension plan (which, in this dataset, includes defined benefit pensions, 401(k)s, 403(b)s, and similar accounts) for retirement income.

Pension

A pension is a type of retirement plan that promises workers a specific monthly benefit when they retire.

It was not surprising that 78% of retirees used Social Security as a source of retirement income, and 92% of those over 65 did so. It's important to remember that Social Security benefits are meant to replace 40% of your annual salary in retirement, which is why preparing for retirement through saving and investing is so important.

*The type of pension was not defined in this survey and could include plans that offer fixed monthly payments or defined contribution plans, such as a 401(k). Data source: Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (2022).
Source of income in the past 12 months among retireesRetirees age 65 or olderAll retirees
Social Security92%78%
Pension*66%57%
Interest, dividends, or rents49%43%
Wages, salaries, or self-employment25%32%
Cash transfers other than Social Security7%11%

Retirement age: 51% of Americans retire at 61 or younger

Data shows that, in 2019, 51% of Americans retired at 61 or earlier, and 23% retired between 62 and 64, before Medicare coverage kicks in at 65.

And, despite white Americans having higher retirement savings on average, their average retirement age tends to be higher than Black and Hispanic Americans.

Data source: Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (2021).
Race/ethnicity61 or earlier62 to 6465+
White48%24%27%
Black56%23%17%
Hispanic65%19%15%
All51%23%24%

Make a retirement plan and stay the course

Attaining a comfortable retirement is generally a matter of planning ahead -- deciding how much to save and invest in a retirement fund each month -- and then sticking to that plan.

The data reveals that the majority of American households follow that path and have a retirement fund available to them once they’ve hung up the boots and retired.

But there’s room for improvement in retirement planning and saving. A quarter of non-retirees have no retirement savings. Thankfully, it’s never too late to start saving for retirement, and there are ways to catch up if you feel like you’ve fallen behind.

Preparing for retirement is full of questions that don’t have simple answers. The Motley Fool has resources (including multiple retirement calculators) to help you take your first steps towards a comfortable retirement, but it’s always a good idea to consult a financial advisor to get personalized advice that fits your financial situation and goals.

Expert advice on retirement

Expert advice on retirement

Average Retirement Savings in 2023: How Do You Compare? | The Motley Fool (3)

Keri Dogan

Senior Vice President of Retirement Solutions, Fidelity Investments

The Motley Fool: Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, many Americans now fear they won’t be able to retire. What is your advice for someone who may be worried about retiring because of recent financial setbacks?

Keri Dogan: Concern about retirement income is mounting among Americans approaching retirement, with many worried they won’t have enough money to last their lifetime. This is especially true given the uncertain world we live in, due in part to the pandemic, as well as market volatility and inflation so top of mind this past year.

If you are still in your saving years, retirement savers justifiably concerned about the impact of market volatility may be reassured to know there are important arguments that can reinforce one’s faith in looking long-term and not making changes based on short-term economic swings. One of these is the profound impact making continuous contributions over even a relatively short period of time can have on one’s retirement readiness. For example, if you contributed the 2021 maximum $6,000 IRA contribution at age 25 and keep it going all the way to age 70, you would have amassed $1,440,5928 by retirement. Even shorter term, according to Fidelity’s analysis, the average 401(k) balance for people who have been in their same plan with the same employer for just a 5-year continuous period is more than double the average retirement account balance. This can make a huge difference.

If you are near or entering retirement, as a general rule of thumb, Fidelity believes that day-to-day, must-have expenses in retirement like housing, food, and health care, are best covered by lifetime guaranteed income sources, such as Social Security, pensions, or income annuities. If you can afford to, consider paying nice-to-have, more easily adjusted expenses with your withdrawals from savings. Another factor is the age at which you stop working. Most people are eligible to receive Social Security benefits as early as age 62, but those benefits increase if you wait until your full retirement age (usually 67) and rise even more if you delay until age 70. The earlier you retire, the more you will have to rely on savings to meet your income needs, because your Social Security payments will be lower. So, if you retire but can afford to wait to draw down Social Security until you are 67-70, that may be helpful—and also, don’t forget about the possibility of working part time in retirement.

The Motley Fool: According to a recent survey by The Motley Fool, men were most likely to say, "I rely on Social Security benefits a little," while women were most likely to say, "I rely on them a lot." Men were also more likely to be "slightly worried" about losing their benefits, while women were most likely to be "very worried." Why do you think men seem to fare better than women in retirement years and have more confidence in their financial stability? What are the potential implications of this trend?

Keri Dogan: One factor may be that women are more likely than men to live longer, with a statistically good chance of living into their mid-90s. That means, naturally, they need their income to last longer. Longer lives mean more years to enjoy, but it also requires anticipating more expenses in retirement, especially higher health care costs.

Because women are likely to live into their 90s, Social Security is a critical component of retirement income. That is why it is important for women to understand Social Security eligibility to claim maximum monthly benefits. Making the decision as to when to take the initial benefit will permanently impact how much is received monthly.

It also means women have a greater need to have a comprehensive retirement plan in place. And yet, according to Fidelity research, only 68% of women say they do have a financial plan in place. Planning can have a powerful impact on a feeling of financial wellness, and what we have observed is that greater planning leads to an increased sense of confidence in a variety of areas, both short- and long-term. While men tend to feel like their financial lives are more in control than women, women’s confidence matches that of men when they have a plan in place.

The Motley Fool: When asked about the 8.7% cost-of-living adjustment for Social Security benefits in 2023, 55% of respondents said they didn’t think it was enough. Why do you think retirees feel this way when it's one of the biggest COLAs in history? Did the SSA make a mistake in not raising it more?

Keri Dogan: This year's increase is the largest in a generation and is definitely a helpful boost for many retirees, especially those who are looking to live within their Social Security budget.

The increase could help ease the pain of record inflation for many retirees struggling with rising costs for everything from gas to groceries. And while many retirees are not as adversely impacted by inflation in some areas (i.e. gas for travel and food costs, as their needs here may not be as great), they especially feel the pinch when it comes to rising health care costs. We also see that retirees are already adept at reducing their essential and discretionary spending and have been throughout the pandemic.

While the concern retirees may feel about the size of the increase is understandable, one piece of advice for retirement savers—or those in retirement—is to try not to worry too much. Based on what we know about retirees and their satisfaction once they get to retirement, most aren’t spending as much as they could be and yet they’re feeling pretty good about where they are – satisfied with retirement and at the same/higher standard of living compared to pre-retirement. In fact, Fidelity analyzed extensive spending data and found that most people needed to replace between 55% and 80% of their pretax, preretirement income after they stopped working to maintain their lifestyle in retirement. 

Sources

The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Invest Smarter with The Motley Fool

Join Over Half a Million Premium Members Receiving…

  • New Stock Picks Each Month
  • Detailed Analysis of Companies
  • Model Portfolios
  • Live Streaming During Market Hours
  • And Much More

Get Started Now

HOW THE MOTLEY FOOL CAN HELP YOU

Motley Fool Returns

Average Retirement Savings in 2023: How Do You Compare? | The Motley Fool (4)

Market-beating stocks from our award-winning analyst team.

Stock Advisor Returns

460%

S&P 500 Returns

125%

Calculated by average return of all stock recommendations since inception of the Stock Advisor service in February of 2002. Returns as of 10/15/2023.

Discounted offers are only available to new members. Stock Advisor list price is $199 per year.

Cumulative Growth of a $10,000 Investment in Stock Advisor

Calculated by Time-Weighted Return since 2002. Volatility profiles based on trailing-three-year calculations of the standard deviation of service investment returns.

Average Retirement Savings in 2023: How Do You Compare? | The Motley Fool (5)

Our Guides

Average Retirement Savings in 2023: How Do You Compare? | The Motley Fool (6)

Study: 42% of Parents Aren't Teaching Their Kids to Invest Long-Term

Average Retirement Savings in 2023: How Do You Compare? | The Motley Fool (7)

Stock Performance in Every Recession Since 1980

Average Retirement Savings in 2023: How Do You Compare? | The Motley Fool (8)

The State of LGBTQ Finance: A Survey of 2,000 Americans

Average Retirement Savings in 2023: How Do You Compare? | The Motley Fool (9)

ESG, SRI, Impact Investing: What Are They, How to Get Started, and How Funds Have Performed

Average Retirement Savings in 2023: How Do You Compare? | The Motley Fool (10)

With Netflix Earnings Under Microscope, 55% of Americans Think There Are Too Many Streaming Options

Average Retirement Savings in 2023: How Do You Compare? | The Motley Fool (11)

An Introduction to Digital Real Estate in the Metaverse

Average Retirement Savings in 2023: How Do You Compare? | The Motley Fool (12)

Average Net Worth of Americans by Age, Education, and Race

Average Retirement Savings in 2023: How Do You Compare? | The Motley Fool (13)

Study: Men Are 4x More Likely Than Women to Have Secret Crypto Accounts

Average Retirement Savings in 2023: How Do You Compare? | The Motley Fool (14)

Study: The Importance of Diverse Investing Role Models

Average Retirement Savings in 2023: How Do You Compare? | The Motley Fool (15)

Are Alternative Investments the Best Inflation Hedge? Here's the Data

Average Retirement Savings in 2023: How Do You Compare? | The Motley Fool (16)

The Best and Worst States to Retire, Based on What People Really Want

Average Retirement Savings in 2023: How Do You Compare? | The Motley Fool (17)

Thinking of Changing Careers? Here's Who's Hiring Now

Average Retirement Savings in 2023: How Do You Compare? | The Motley Fool (18)

Tim Cook Owns Cryptocurrency -- So Do 68% of American Millionaires

Average Retirement Savings in 2023: How Do You Compare? | The Motley Fool (19)

How Many Americans Own Stock? About 158 Million -- But the Wealthiest 1% Own More Than Half

Average Retirement Savings in 2023: How Do You Compare? | The Motley Fool (20)

Here's Why 20% of Americans Have Changed Careers Since the Pandemic Began

Average Retirement Savings in 2023: How Do You Compare? | The Motley Fool (21)

Which Jobs Will Be Automated in the Next 10 Years?

Average Retirement Savings in 2023: How Do You Compare? | The Motley Fool (22)

Estate and Inheritance Taxes by State in 2023

Average Retirement Savings in 2023: How Do You Compare? | The Motley Fool (23)

Kevin O'Leary Is Concerned About Leaving Too Large an Inheritance -- So Are Two-Thirds of High-Net-Worth Individuals

Average Retirement Savings in 2023: How Do You Compare? | The Motley Fool (24)

Alternative Investments of the Ultra-Wealthy in 2023

Average Retirement Savings in 2023: How Do You Compare? | The Motley Fool (25)

High-Net-Worth Individuals Gave $5.8 Billion to COVID-19 Philanthropy in 2020

Average Retirement Savings in 2023: How Do You Compare? | The Motley Fool (26)

Study: Crypto and Investment Scams Skyrocket in 2021 and 2022

Average Retirement Savings in 2023: How Do You Compare? | The Motley Fool (27)

Study: How Gen Z and Millennial Investors Think About Risk

Average Retirement Savings in 2023: How Do You Compare? | The Motley Fool (28)

Study: What Are Gen Z and Millennial Investors Buying in 2022?

Average Retirement Savings in 2023: How Do You Compare? | The Motley Fool (29)

Gen Z and Millennial Investors: Ranking the Most Used, Trusted Investing Tools

Average Retirement Savings in 2023: How Do You Compare? | The Motley Fool (30)

How Much Is Capital Gains Tax? Everything You Need to Know

Average Retirement Savings in 2023: How Do You Compare? | The Motley Fool (31)

Poll: How Did Investors Deal With Market Volatility in 2020?

Average Retirement Savings in 2023: How Do You Compare? | The Motley Fool (32)

Marijuana Tax Revenue: A State-by-State Breakdown

Average Retirement Savings in 2023: How Do You Compare? | The Motley Fool (33)

Poll: How Well Did Meme Stock Investors Understand What Was Happening?

Average Retirement Savings in 2023: How Do You Compare? | The Motley Fool (34)

Investing for Women: What You Should Know

Average Retirement Savings in 2023: How Do You Compare? | The Motley Fool (35)

Study: Do Landlords Actually Know What Renters Want?

Average Retirement Savings in 2023: How Do You Compare? | The Motley Fool (36)

Commercial Real Estate Investing Statistics for 2023

Average Retirement Savings in 2023: How Do You Compare? | The Motley Fool (37)

Trends in Real Estate Investing Scams and Fraud

Average Retirement Savings in 2023: How Do You Compare? | The Motley Fool (38)

The House Flipping Statistics Investors Should Know in 2023

Average Retirement Savings in 2023: How Do You Compare? | The Motley Fool (39)

Study: How Diverse is the Real Estate Investing Community?

Average Retirement Savings in 2023: How Do You Compare? | The Motley Fool (40)

REITs vs. Stocks: Everything You Need to Know

Average Retirement Savings in 2023: How Do You Compare? | The Motley Fool (41)

Property Taxes in Each State

Average Retirement Savings in 2023: How Do You Compare? | The Motley Fool (42)

Study: Most Americans Understand Investing Basics But Struggle With Some Specifics

Average Retirement Savings in 2023: How Do You Compare? | The Motley Fool (43)

Are Stock Splits Good? Here's the Data

Average Retirement Savings in 2023: How Do You Compare? | The Motley Fool (44)

Study: Cost-of-Living Adjustment Not Enough for Retirees

Average Retirement Savings in 2023: How Do You Compare? | The Motley Fool (45)

Elder Fraud and Financial Abuse Statistics for 2022

Average Retirement Savings in 2023: How Do You Compare? | The Motley Fool (46)

Which States Produce the Most Renewable Energy?

Average Retirement Savings in 2023: How Do You Compare? | The Motley Fool (47)

This Is the Average Income for Retirees in America

Average Retirement Savings in 2023: How Do You Compare? | The Motley Fool (48)

Survey: Investors Embrace Renewables, Not Ready to Let Go of Fossil Fuels

Average Retirement Savings in 2023: How Do You Compare? | The Motley Fool (49)

Consumer and Industry Outlooks on Electric Vehicles

Average Retirement Savings in 2023: How Do You Compare? | The Motley Fool (50)

Study: First-Generation Americans Face Unique Financial Obstacles

Average Retirement Savings in 2023: How Do You Compare? | The Motley Fool (51)

The Largest Companies by Market Cap in 2023

Average Retirement Savings in 2023: How Do You Compare? | The Motley Fool (52)

The Average Retirement Age in the U.S.

Average Retirement Savings in 2023: How Do You Compare? | The Motley Fool (53)

Survey: Americans Are Skeptical of ChatGPT’s Stock Recommendations

Average Retirement Savings in 2023: How Do You Compare? | The Motley Fool (54)

Student Loan Debt Statistics in 2023

Average Retirement Savings in 2023: How Do You Compare? | The Motley Fool (55)

The Largest EV Companies in 2023

Average Retirement Savings in 2023: How Do You Compare? | The Motley Fool (56)

The Largest Target Date Funds

Average Retirement Savings in 2023: How Do You Compare? | The Motley Fool (57)

Here’s How Many Tesla Superchargers Are in All 50 States

Average Retirement Savings in 2023: How Do You Compare? | The Motley Fool (58)

The Biggest Sports Betting Companies

Average Retirement Savings in 2023: How Do You Compare? | The Motley Fool (59)

Sports Betting Tax Revenue by State

Average Retirement Savings in 2023: How Do You Compare? | The Motley Fool (60)

The Fastest-Growing Energy Sources

Average Retirement Savings in 2023: How Do You Compare? | The Motley Fool (2024)

FAQs

What is the average 401k balance at the end of 2023? ›

The average 401(k) balance ended 2023 up 14% from a year earlier to $118,600, Fidelity found. The average individual retirement account balance also gained 12% year over year to $116,600 in the fourth quarter of 2023.

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.

What is the average US retirement savings by age How do you compare? ›

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 does the average American retire with? ›

What is the average and median retirement savings? The average retirement savings for all families is $333,940 according to the 2022 Survey of Consumer Finances.

What is the average 401k balance at age 65? ›

Average and median 401(k) balances by age
Age rangeAverage balanceMedian balance
35-44$76,354$28,318
45-54$142,069$48,301
55-64$207,874$71,168
65+$232,710$70,620
2 more rows
Mar 13, 2024

What is the recommended 401k balance by age? ›

How Much Should You Save for Retirement?
  • By age 30, you should have one time your annual salary saved. ...
  • By age 40, you should have three times your annual salary already saved.
  • By age 50, you should have six times your salary in an account.
  • By age 60, you should have eight times your salary working for you.

How many people have $1000000 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.

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.

How many people have $3,000,000 in savings in usa? ›

1,821,745 Households in the United States Have Investment Portfolios Worth $3,000,000 or More.

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 a good monthly retirement income? ›

Average Monthly Retirement 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.

How many retirees have no savings? ›

Nearly 2 in 5 Retirees Have No Retirement Savings

“There are also a plethora of social and economic variables that impact how Americans are able to accumulate wealth during their working years.

How much does the average retired person live on per month? ›

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the average income of someone 65 and older in 2021 was $55,335, and the average expenses were $52,141, or $4,345 per month.

What percentage of retirees have a million dollars? ›

In fact, statistically, around 10% of retirees have $1 million or more in savings. The majority of retirees, however, have far less saved.

How much does the average person have in their 401k? ›

Average 401(k) plan balances reached $112,572 in 2022, down from $141,542 in 2021 and $129,157 in 2020, according to Vanguard's “How America Saves 2023” report.

How much should I have in 401k at 55? ›

Key takeaways. According to the Federal Reserve, the average 401(k) balance is around $30,000 for those under 35, around $132,000 for those ages 35–44, around $255,000 for those ages 45–54, around $408,000 for those ages 55–64, and around $426,000 for those ages 65–75.

What has been the average rate of return on 401k? ›

The average rate of return on 401(k)s is typically between 5% and 8%, depending on market conditions and individual portfolios. 401(k) plans offer benefits such as potential employer matches, tax advantages, and federal protections under ERISA.

What is the average 401k return last 10 years? ›

People contributing to their 401k since 2010 have seen an average account balance increase of over 450%. From the period 2013 to 2018, the average annual total 401k return ranged from -4.24% to +13.69%. In 2020, the coronavirus pandemic led the average 401k balance to decline by 19% in the first quarter.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Van Hayes

Last Updated:

Views: 5925

Rating: 4.6 / 5 (66 voted)

Reviews: 89% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Van Hayes

Birthday: 1994-06-07

Address: 2004 Kling Rapid, New Destiny, MT 64658-2367

Phone: +512425013758

Job: National Farming Director

Hobby: Reading, Polo, Genealogy, amateur radio, Scouting, Stand-up comedy, Cryptography

Introduction: My name is Van Hayes, I am a thankful, friendly, smiling, calm, powerful, fine, enthusiastic person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.