Here's how much money the average millennial has in savings (2024)

When it comes to saving money, Americans could be doing better. According to a 2017 GoBankingRates survey, 57 percent of Americans have less than $1,000 in their savings accounts, and 39 percent have no savings at all.

Younger people are no exception.

Of "young millennials" — which GOBankingRates defines as those between 18 and 24 years old — 67 percent have less than $1,000 in their savings accounts and 46 percent have $0.

While an alarming amount of young people have little to no savings, "on the other end of the spectrum, some millennials seem to be taking steps to increase their savings account balances," the site reports. "From 2016 to 2017, the percentage of younger millennials who have $10,000 or more in a savings account has jumped five percentage points."

Here's the percentage of the survey respondents aged 18 to 24 who have:

$0 saved: 46 percent
Less than $1,000 saved: 21 percent
$1,000 to $4,999 saved: 15 percent
$5,000 to $9,999 saved: 5 percent
$10,000 or more saved: 13 percent

As for "older millennials" — defined as those between 25 and 34 — the trends are similar: 61 percent have less than $1,000 in their savings accounts and 41 percent have nothing at all:

Here's the percentage of the survey respondents aged 25 to 34 who have:

$0 saved: 41 percent
Less than $1,000 saved: 20 percent
$1,000 to $4,999 saved: 13 percent
$5,000 to $9,999 saved: 6 percent
$10,000 or more saved: 20 percent

How much should you have tucked away?

While the amount you need in savings is highly personal, and specific dollar amounts can be arbitrary, Intuit's Kimmie Greene offers a simple formula to help you figure out if you're setting aside enough money.

In your 20s: Aim to save 25 percent of your overall gross pay, Greene tells CNBC Make It. That includes any retirement account contributions, matching funds from your company, cash savings or money you have invested elsewhere, like in index funds or with robo-advisers.

By age 30: Have the equivalent of your annual salary saved. So, if you earn $50,000 a year, aim to have $50,000 in savings when you hit 30.

By age 35: Have twice your annual salary saved.

By age 40: Have three times your annual salary saved.

By age 45: Have four times your annual salary saved.

By age 50: Have five times your annual salary saved.

By age 55: Have six times your annual salary saved.

By age 60: Have seven times your annual salary saved.

By age 65: Have eight times your annual salary saved.

Greene's timeline is similar to the one recommended by retirement-plan provider Fidelity Investments, which says a good rule of thumb is to have the equivalent of your salary saved by age 30 and to have 10 times your final salary in savings if you want to retire by age 67.

"While this can sound super daunting today, if you're putting that money to work starting in your 20s, it's not as difficult as it sounds," says Greene.

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Here's how much money the average millennial has in savings (1)

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Here's how much money the average millennial has in savings (2024)

FAQs

How much do most millennials have in savings? ›

Our survey found that the majority of Gen Zers (54%) and Millennials (52%) have less than $5,000 saved, compared to 42% of Gen X respondents and 29% of Baby Boomers. Unsurprisingly, the oldest generation—Baby Boomers—have amassed the most impressive savings balances.

How many people have $100k in savings? ›

Most American households have at least $1,000 in checking or savings accounts. But only about 12% have more than $100,000 in checking and savings.

How much do most 25 year olds have in savings? ›

Savings by Age
AgeAverage Account BalanceMedian Account Balance
Under 35$11,250$3,240
35 to 44$27,910$4,710
45 to 54$48,200$6,400
55 to 64$57,670$5,620
2 more rows
Sep 19, 2023

What age should you have 100k saved? ›

“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 money does the average millennial have in their bank account? ›

Although 9%-13% of all three groups have at least $2,000, it's impossible to ignore the study's biggest revelation. Over half of all Gen Zers and millennials — well over half for the two youngest segments — have less than $500 in their checking accounts.

Is 100K in savings 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.”

Is 100k saved by 40 good? ›

You may be starting to think about your retirement goals more seriously. By age 40, you should have saved a little over $185,000 if you're earning an average salary and follow the general guideline that you should have saved about three times your salary by that time.

How many Americans have $100,000 in the bank? ›

9% of men have $100,000 or more in savings, but this figure is cut nearly in half for women. It's perhaps no surprise that being in a marriage increases the chances of a person having savings and Americans who are wed are most likely to say they have savings across the higher bands.

How many Americans have $300,000 in savings? ›

– Nearly 13 percent said they have $50,000 to $99,999. – More than 12 percent said they have $100,000 to $199,999. – Nearly 10 percent have $200,000 to $299,999. – About 16 percent have $300,000 or more in retirement savings.

Is 20K savings good at 25? ›

By the time you're 25, you probably have accrued at least a few years in the workforce, so you may be starting to think seriously about saving money. But saving might still be a challenge if you're earning an entry-level salary or you have significant student loan debt. By age 25, you should have saved about $20,000.

How many Americans live paycheck to paycheck? ›

A majority, 65%, say they live paycheck to paycheck, according to CNBC and SurveyMonkey's recent Your Money International Financial Security Survey, which polled 498 U.S. adults. That's a slight increase from last year's results, which found that 58% of Americans considered themselves to be living paycheck to paycheck.

Is 20K in savings good? ›

While $20K may not let you quit your job, it's enough to start building financial security, whether you max out your retirement accounts, invest in fine art, or divide your cash between multiple investments.

How much money do millennials have? ›

The average net worth of millennials has surged from $62,758 to $127,793 since the start of the pandemic. Much of this growth is from real estate; as of 2022, more than half of millennials had become homeowners. The average millennial makes between $52,156 and $62,244 per year.

Can I retire at 60 with 300k? ›

£300k in a pension isn't a huge amount to retire on at the fairly young age of 60, but it's possible for certain lifestyles depending on how your pension fund performs while you're retired and how much you need to live on.

Is 50k saved at 30 good? ›

By 30, it would be beneficial to have $50,000 saved. This comes from the goal of being able to replace about 70% to 80% of your pre-retirement income in retirement.” While having the equivalent of your annual salary saved up by 30 may seem unattainable, Kovar believes it's achievable if you start saving in your 20s.

How much does the average millennial save a year? ›

Millennials (ages 28 to 43): $9,299. Gen X (ages 44 to 59): $5,132. Baby boomers (ages 60 to 78): $4,060.

How much do most 30 year olds have saved? ›

Average Savings by Age 30

According to the latest Survey of Consumer Finances, the average savings in transaction accounts for this group was $11,250, and the median was $3,240, in 2019. If you have more than this in your savings account at 30, you have more than many of your peers.

How much money does average millennial have? ›

The average net worth of millennials has surged from $62,758 to $127,793 since the start of the pandemic. Much of this growth is from real estate; as of 2022, more than half of millennials had become homeowners. The average millennial makes between $52,156 and $62,244 per year.

How much should a 30 year old have in savings? ›

Breaking this down by age, aim to save at least 1x your income by age 30, 3x by 40, 6x by 50, and 8x by 60. Increase contributions over time: If starting off saving 15% of more of your income isn't possible, small increases over time can make a big difference.

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