According to the 2023 Northwestern Mutual Planning & Progress study,Americans report having less than $90,000 on average in retirement savings. Individual retirement accounts (IRAs) and 401(k) savings plans strive to compensate for the lack of traditional pension plans, however, many Americans have not been able to take advantage of these or cannot afford to save enough for retirement.
Key Takeaways
- Leaving the workplace at age 65 may mean funding over 20 years of retirement.
- Retirees often scale back their lifestyle or downsize to supplement retirement.
- Those without adequate retirement funds may need to continue to work past retirement age.
Funding Retirement
Retirement means the end of a steady income, which is why having a nest egg is important. Some financial experts say retirees need up to 80% of their pre-retirement income once they stop working. An annual income of $100,000 means $80,000 will be needed each year to maintain an individual's lifestyle. Without savings or a pension plan, retirees need to either continue earning money or cut back on their spending.
For those who enter retirement without saved cash, their only source of income is commonly Social Security. Most individuals aged 65 and older receive the majority of their income from Social Security and without the benefits, 38.7% of these adults may fall below the official poverty line.
Historically, many workers relied on corporate pension plans to fund their retirements but those plans have decreased in the past decades. Some government jobs still have pensions, however, those jobs may not have had Social Security taxes withheld, and decrease the retiree's Social Security benefit.
Relying on Social Security
With the average monthly Social Security retirement benefit check at $1,907 in 2024, it can be a big shock to those who earned more while working. On average, Social Security replaces just 40% of a retiree's pre-retirement earnings. Although there are ways to maximize it, Social Security still functions best as an adjunct to personal savings.
When considering healthcare costs like Medicare premiums, food and housing, personal debt, and other financial obligations many retirees carry, it's clear why living solely on Social Security may not work.
$1,907
The average monthly Social Security benefit in 2024.
Downsize
Without savings, it will be difficult to maintain the same lifestyle an individual had in working years. Some retirees make adjustments by:
Continue to Work
To keep up with basic expenses in retirement, many need an extra income stream. This could mean going back to work or getting a part-time job. The Internet makes it easier than ever for retirees to work remotely. According to AARP, retirees who work part-time, freelance, or do consulting work tend to increase their retirement satisfaction by providing a sense of purpose and community.
According to a survey conducted by ResumeBuilder, 12% of retired Americans say they are very likely or somewhat likely to go back to work in 2024.
How Can Retirees Use Their Home to Supplement Retirement Income?
Individuals who have not saved for retirement and who still own homes can turn to their homes as a source of income. For some, this could mean renting a portion of their space as a separate apartment. Another option is to take a reverse mortgage on a home, although doing so can be costly and complicated.
How Can Individuals Save More Toward Retirement?
How and where workers save can be as important as how much they save. Financial vehicles behave differently and are taxed differently so exploring diversification can help minimize the impact of taxes, market volatility, and inflation.
What Is the Average Retirement Age in the United States?
In 2023, the average age for men to retire was 65 and the average age for women to retire was 63.
The Bottom Line
Retiring without savings requires sacrifices and strategies. Social Security may not provide enough money for most people to maintain their pre-retirement lifestyles. For some, downsizing or working part-time can provide a supplement to Social Security.
FAQs
Individuals who have not saved for retirement and who still own homes can turn to their homes as a source of income. For some, this could mean renting a portion of their space as a separate apartment. Another option is to take a reverse mortgage on a home, although doing so can be costly and complicated.
How do people retire with no savings? ›
Many retirees with little to no savings rely solely on Social Security as their main source of income. You can claim Social Security benefits as early as age 62, but your benefit amount will depend on when you start filing for the benefit. You get less than your full benefit if you file before your full retirement age.
Is it too late to save for retirement at 60? ›
It is never too late to start saving money you will use in retirement. However, the older you get, the more constraints, like wanting to retire, or required minimum distributions (RMDs), will limit your options. The good news is, many people have much more time than they think.
How to save for retirement if you're poor? ›
Although you might be earning a lower income, you can start by contributing 1% of your salary to your retirement savings and then making 1% increments every quarter, every 6 months or each time your income increases.
How do people afford to retire? ›
For most retirees, Social Security and (to a lesser degree) pensions are the two primary sources of regular income in retirement. You usually can collect these payments early—at age 62 for Social Security and sometimes as early as age 55 with a pension.
What percentage of people retire with no savings? ›
The share of retirees with no savings jumped from 30 percent to 37 percent. Earlier generations of retirees counted on Social Security and employer-funded pensions to deliver a steady income. Social Security has dwindled as an income source over the years, and pensions are in decline.
How many Americans have no savings? ›
As of May 2023, more than 1 in 5 Americans have no emergency savings. Nearly one in three (30 percent) people in 2023 had some emergency savings, but not enough to cover three months of expenses. This is up from 27 percent of people in 2022. Note: Not all percentages total 100 due to rounding.
What is the $1000 a month rule for retirement? ›
The $1,000-a-month retirement rule says that you should save $240,000 for every $1,000 of monthly income you'll need in retirement. So, if you anticipate a $4,000 monthly budget when you retire, you should save $960,000 ($240,000 * 4).
What happens if you run out of retirement money? ›
If you run out of money in retirement, you may face financial hardship and reduced quality of life. You may need to rely on family members or government programs for financial assistance, reduce your standard of living, or make significant lifestyle changes.
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.
The average Social Security retirement benefit for Americans retiring in 2021 was $1,754 per month. The federal poverty threshold for a single individual aged 65 and over in 2021 was $12,996, or $1,083 per month. So the average Social Security benefit for a new retiree was actually 1.6 times the federal poverty line.
Do most people have money saved for retirement? ›
According a 2023 Fidelity report, Americans on average have saved only 78% of the amount they'll need in retirement, and 52% of U.S. households may not be able to pay for essential expenses in retirement.
What happens if you don't retire at 65? ›
If you decide to continue working and not start your benefits until after full retirement age, your benefits will increase for each month you do not receive them until you reach age 70. There is no incentive to delay filing for your benefits after age 70.
What is the average money to retire? ›
Assuming an inflation rate of 4% and a conservative after-tax rate of return of 5%, you should aim for a savings target of $1.3 million to fund a 30-year retirement that begins at age 67. This would give you an investment portfolio that produces about $50,000 a year in income.
What salary is needed to retire comfortably? ›
There is no one-size-fits-all plan when it comes to how much you'll need to retire, but there are a few common benchmarks. Some strategies call for having 10 to 12 times your final working year's salary or specific multiples of your annual income that increase as you age.
How much monthly income do I need to retire comfortably? ›
More? Financial planners often recommend replacing about 80% of your pre-retirement income to sustain the same lifestyle after you retire. This means that, if you earn $100,000 per year, you'd aim for at least $80,000 of income (in today's dollars) in retirement.
Is 40 too late to save for retirement? ›
Yes, it's very possible to retire comfortably even if you start saving at 40. Regular contributions to your retirement accounts will go a long way toward making that dream a reality. Take advantage of catch-up contributions after the age of 50.
How much does the average person have in savings when they retire? ›
The Federal Reserve's most recent data reveals that the average American has $65,000 in retirement savings. By their retirement age, the average is estimated to be $255,200.
What if I haven't saved for retirement at 50? ›
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). Younger workers can only contribute $23,000 to their 401(k)s and $7,000 to their IRAs in 2024.
Is 45 too late to save for retirement? ›
Although it's important to start your retirement planning and saving early, you can still fulfill your goals even if you're between 45 and 54. Small business owners may be able to stash extra savings by funding retirement accounts designed for small businesses and the self-employed.
