25% of Americans over 50 don’t expect to retire. How to start saving (2024)

  • About 1 in 4 Americans 50 and older don't think they will ever retire
  • Financial planner: "Think about what you want your life to look like"
  • Everyday expenses, housing costs are main reasons people aren't able to save

(NewsNation) — About a quarter of Americans above the age of 50 say they expect to never retire as the cost of living rises faster than their income, according to a new AARP study.

Certified financial planner Shinobu Hindert joined NewsNation’s “Morning in America” with tips on how to plan for retirement amid rising prices.

Hindert says when planning for retirement, a person should ideally have the equivalent of one year’s salary saved by the time they are 30, three times their annual salary by the time they are 40, six times their salary by the time they are 50 and eight times their salary by the time they’re 60.

“We’re seeing the first generation retire right now without a majority of their income coming from a pension. Those data points will come out in the next 15 years. So for people that are gearing up for retirement, try to save as much as you can. And think about what you want your life to look like when you retire,” Hindert said.

For those who may be behind on their saving goals, Hindert recommends focusing on what they can do in the short term.

“If you have an employer sponsored plan like a 401-K, start increasing your contributions by 1% to 3%, target to save 15%. And if you’re not there yet, that’s okay. Just put a calendar reminder every three months to see, can I bump it up by 1%?”

About 1 in 4 Americans have no retirement savings, according to research released Wednesday by the organization that shows how the aging American population is worrying more and more about how to make ends meet, even as economists and policymakers say the U.S. economy has all but achieved a soft landing after two years of record inflation.

Everyday expenses and housing costs, including rent and mortgage payments, are the biggest reasons why people are unable to save for retirement.

The data will matter this election year as President Joe Biden and Republican rival Donald Trump are trying to win support from older Americans, who traditionally turn out in high numbers, with their policy proposals.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

25% of Americans over 50 don’t expect to retire. How to start saving (2024)

FAQs

25% of Americans over 50 don’t expect to retire. How to start saving? ›

For those who may be behind on their saving goals, Hindert recommends focusing on what they can do in the short term. “If you have an employer sponsored plan like a 401-K, start increasing your contributions by 1% to 3%, target to save 15%. And if you're not there yet, that's okay.

Is 25% too much to save for retirement? ›

Financial advisors often recommend saving 15% to 20% of your income for retirement, emergencies, and major purchases.

How many Americans over 50 have no retirement savings? ›

One in five adults ages 50-plus have no retirement savings, and more than half are worried they will not have enough money to support them in retirement, according to a new AARP survey. The study reflects concerns amid a shaky economy, high prices and an uncertain future.

Do the majority of Americans have sufficient amounts of money saved for retirement? ›

In a recent nationwide survey of working age Americans, 79% agree that the nation faces a retirement savings crisis, up from 67% in 2020. And more than half of Americans (55%) are concerned that they cannot achieve financial security in retirement.

How do you start saving for retirement after 50? ›

To jump-start retirement savings later in life, save as much as possible, maximize contributions to employer-sponsored retirement plans and pay down high-interest debt. Pre-retirees should prioritize paying off their mortgage to free up income for retirement expenses and reduce financial anxiety.

What is the rule 25 for retirement? ›

If you want to be sure you're saving enough for retirement, the 25x rule can help. This rule of thumb says investors should have saved 25 times their planned annual expenses by the time they retire, according to brokerage Charles Schwab.

What percentage should I save to retire at 50? ›

So to answer the question, we believe having one to one-and-a-half times your income saved for retirement by age 35 is a reasonable target. By age 50, you would be considered on track if you have three-and-a-half to six times your preretirement gross income saved.

How can I retire with no savings? ›

If you determine you need more than Social Security income to meet your retirement needs, consider these options:
  1. Set a detailed budget to minimize expenses. ...
  2. Downsize your home. ...
  3. Continue working. ...
  4. Take advantage of tax-advantaged retirement plans. ...
  5. Open a traditional or Roth IRA.
Jan 31, 2024

What does life look like without retirement savings? ›

Without savings, it will be difficult to maintain the same lifestyle an individual had in working years. Some retirees make adjustments by: Moving into a smaller home or apartment. Reducing television or streaming services.

Do 25 of US adults have no retirement savings? ›

About 1 in 4 Americans have no retirement savings, according to research released Wednesday by the organization that shows how the aging American population is worrying more and more about how to make ends meet, even as economists and policymakers say the U.S. economy has all but achieved a soft landing after two years ...

How to retire at 60 with no money? ›

If you retire with no money, you'll have to consider ways to create income to pay your living expenses. That might include applying for Social Security retirement benefits, getting a reverse mortgage if you own a home, or starting a side hustle or part-time job to generate a steady paycheck.

How many Americans have $100,000 in savings? ›

How many Americans have $100,000 in savings? About 26% of U.S. households had more than $100,000 in savings in retirement accounts as of 2022, according to USAFacts, a nonprofit organization that analyzes data from the Federal Reserve and other government agencies.

What is it like to retire on almost nothing? ›

Roughly one in seven Social Security recipients ages 65 and older depend on their benefits for nearly all their income, according to an AARP analysis. Unable to maintain the lifestyle of their working years, they trim their already trim budgets, move into smaller homes, or rely on the kindness of relatives to get by.

Is 55 too late to start saving for retirement? ›

If you didn't make saving for retirement a priority early in life, it's not too late to catch up. At age 50, you can start making extra contributions to your tax-sheltered retirement accounts (called catch-up contributions).

What is the best savings plan for a 50 year old? ›

Ideally, 35-50% is an excellent number to save when you are 50. The entire amount can be put in mutual funds by way of Systematic Investment Plans (SIP). Also, mutual funds are a basket of stocks and other instruments. Thus, they offer good diversification of risk.

What is the rule of 50 for retirement? ›

50 - Consider allocating no more than 50 percent of take-home pay to essential expenses. 15 - Try to save 15 percent of pretax income (including employer contributions) for retirement. 5 - Save for the unexpected by keeping 5 percent of take-home pay in short-term savings for unplanned expenses.

Is 25 a good age to start saving for retirement? ›

The earlier you can start saving for retirement, the better. If you can set aside money when you are 25 years old, you can use the power of compounding for an extra 10 years compared to if you started saving at age 35.

How much should a 25 year old have in a 401k? ›

Average and median 401(k) balance by age
AgeAverage Account BalanceMedian Account Balance
Under 25$5,236$1,948
25-34$30,017$11,357
35-44$76,354$28,318
45-54$142,069$48,301
3 more rows
Feb 6, 2024

What does the average 25 year old have in savings? ›

The Fed's most recent numbers show the average savings for the age group that includes 25-year-olds is $20,540. The median savings is $5,400. Having relatively modest savings in your 20s is nothing unusual if you are still in college or have recently graduated.

Is 20% into retirement too much? ›

As a general rule, it's certainly wise to sock away a good 15% to 20% of your income for retirement. And if you can push yourself to save beyond that threshold without compromising your near-term quality of life, even better. But striking the right balance can be tough.

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