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

Is 50 too late to start saving for retirement? ›

Experts say even in your 50s, it's not too late to take steps to get in better financial shape. "While retirement is an exciting vision for a lot of people, the transition can be really stress-inducing," said Keri Dogan, senior vice president of financial wellness and retirement income solutions at Fidelity.

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.

What to do if you're 60 with no retirement savings? ›

Consider Part-Time Work

Income from part-time work coupled with your Social Security benefit could be all you need to live comfortably. It will certainly make your savings go further. More retirees are opting for this type of arrangement than have in previous generations.

How much do most 50 year olds have saved for retirement? ›

Median retirement savings balance by age
Age groupMedian retirement savings balance amount
Under 35$18,880.
35-44$45,000.
45-54$115,000.
55-64$185,000.
2 more rows
May 7, 2024

How to retire at 55 with no money? ›

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

How many 50 year olds have no retirement savings? ›

WASHINGTON—A new AARP survey finds that 20% of adults ages 50+ have no retirement savings, and more than half (61%) are worried they will not have enough money to support them in retirement.

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

Putting that much aside could make it easier to live your preferred lifestyle when you retire, without having to worry about running short of money. 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.

Is $100 a month good for retirement? ›

Based on the same parameters above, you'd save approximately $327,161 by age 65 if you put away $100 a month with a 3% partial employer match of your salary.

How much is $100 a month for 40 years? ›

According to Ramsey's tweet, investing $100 per month for 40 years gives you an account value of $1,176,000. Ramsey's assumptions include a 12% annual rate of return, which some critics have labeled as optimistic given that the long-term average annual return of the S&P 500 index is closer to 10%.

What do retirees do when they run out of money? ›

If you are already running out of money in retirement, consider part-time work, reverse mortgages, or financial assistance from family members or government programs.

Is $4000 a month a good retirement? ›

The answer is yes, almost 1 in 3 retirees today are spending between $2,000 and $3,999 per month, implying that $4,000 is a good monthly income for a retiree.

How many Americans have no savings? ›

As of May 2023, more than 1 in 5 Americans have no emergency savings.

How long will $400,000 last in retirement? ›

This money will need to last around 40 years to comfortably ensure that you won't outlive your savings. This means you can probably boost your total withdrawals (principal and yield) to around $20,000 per year. This will give you a pre-tax income of almost $36,000 per year.

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? ›

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.

How to start over at 50 with no money? ›

How to start over at 50 with no money
  1. Wait it out at your old job if possible. A paying job that you hate will still give you financial stability. ...
  2. Let go of the negative self-talk. ...
  3. Build the new you. ...
  4. Update your resume with transferable skills. ...
  5. Take free courses to improve your skills.
Jun 7, 2022

How aggressive should my 401k be at $50? ›

Now, most financial advisors recommend that you have between five and six times your annual income in a 401(k) account or other retirement savings account by age 50. With continued growth over the rest of your working career, this amount should generally let you have enough in savings to retire comfortably by age 65.

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.

What is full retirement age for a 50 year old? ›

The full retirement age is 66 if you were born from 1943 to 1954. The full retirement age increases gradually if you were born from 1955 to 1960 until it reaches 67. For anyone born 1960 or later, full retirement benefits are payable at age 67.

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