Only about 1.8% of U.S. households have $2 million or more in retirement savings, according to data from the Employee Benefit Research Institute and the Federal Reserve's Survey of Consumer Finances. This level represents a small, affluent segment of the population, as the median retirement savings for households aged 65–74 is significantly lower, at around $ 200 , 000 $ 2 0 0 , 0 0 0 .
According to estimates based on the Federal Reserve Survey of Consumer Finances, a mere 3.2% of retirees have over $1 million in their retirement accounts. The number of those with $2 million or more is even smaller, falling somewhere between this 3.2% and the 0.1% who have $5 million or more saved.
The age at which you retire impacts how long your savings need to last and how much income you'll need each year. With the right planning and flexibility, $2 million can become a strong foundation for a retirement that supports both your needs and goals.
Research shows that less than 1% of households have $3 million or more in retirement savings. While this amount is uncommon, those who consistently invest, save diligently and manage their spending can build significant retirement assets over time.
Suze Orman famously suggests many people need $5 million to $10 million to retire comfortably, especially for early retirement, to cover longevity, inflation, and healthcare risks, calling smaller amounts like $1 million or $2 million "nothing" against catastrophes. She emphasizes having 3 to 5 years of living expenses in cash reserves, separate from investments, and stresses a high savings rate (around 15%) and delaying Social Security for maximum benefit. While her large figures target a very secure, risk-averse retirement, she also advises on saving significantly more than typical projections suggest.
Achieving a $2 million nest egg for retirement is relatively uncommon among Americans. According to the Employee Benefit Research Institute, less than 2% of households have $2 million or more saved for retirement.
Your net worth is what you own minus what you owe. It's the total value of all your assets—including your house, cars, investments and cash—minus your liabilities (things like credit card debt, student loans, and what you still owe on your mortgage).
9 Signs of Wealth to Look Out For
Bottom Line. A retirement account with $2 million should be enough to make most people comfortable. With an average income, you can expect it to last 35 years or more.
The typical American has an average retirement savings of $521,522. Americans in their 60s have the most saved for retirement with average balances close to $1.2 million. Average account balances more than double between those in their 20s vs their 30s.
According to the Employee Benefit Research Institute, just 1.8% of U.S. households have $2 million or more saved in retirement accounts. That's based on the 2022 Survey of Consumer Finances, conducted by the Federal Reserve.
Is $2 million enough for a couple to retire? For many couples, the answer is yes, especially when paired with Social Security and a moderate lifestyle. A $2 million investment portfolio can generate around $80,000 in your first year of retirement under the 4% rule.
A good retirement nest egg aims to replace 80% of your pre-retirement income, often meaning you need 10-12 times your final salary saved by retirement (around age 67), but the exact amount varies greatly by lifestyle, expected expenses (especially healthcare), and retirement age, with rules like saving 1x salary by 30, 3x by 40, 6x by 50, 8x by 60, and 10x by 67 being helpful benchmarks.
Americans ages 65–74 have a median net worth of $410,000, the highest of any age group. About 76% own a home and 51% have a retirement account, making home equity and savings the biggest drivers of wealth at this stage.
September 10, 2024 | Suze Orman
(Note, if you leave a job and are at least 55 you can make withdrawals from your 401(k) without being hit with the 10% early withdrawal penalty. That said, I am not endorsing tapping retirement savings at such a young age.)
"I just returned to my Bahama Island Home and was over the moon when I saw my new SYNLawn installed backyard!" proclaimed Mrs. Orman.