For Americans around age 65 (specifically 65-74), the average (mean) retirement savings are about $609,230, with a median of $200,000, though figures vary by source, with some showing higher averages due to large portfolios skewing the mean, making the median a better indicator of typical savings. Total net worth for this age group averages significantly higher (over $1.7 million), but retirement accounts are the key focus for retirement readiness.
Average retirement savings by age 65
The average savings for people this age is $537,560, and the median is $185,000. Despite the average retirement savings increasing by around $200,000, the average salary for people in the same age range decreased by $1,000 annually.
Most people retire with significantly less than the $1 million+ many think they need, with median savings for those nearing retirement (ages 65-74) around $200,000, while averages are higher due to large balances held by a few, meaning many individuals fall short, with some studies showing 25% of non-retirees having zero savings.
The "27.39 rule" (often rounded to $27.40) is a simple financial strategy to save $10,000 in one year by consistently setting aside $27.40 every single day, making it an achievable micro-saving habit to build wealth or an emergency fund. It turns the daunting goal of saving $10,000 into a manageable daily action, emphasizing consistency over large lump sums.
For a 70-year-old, average retirement savings vary significantly by source, but generally fall between $250,000 and over $600,000 (mean/average), while the median (half have less) is much lower, around $100,000 to $200,000, highlighting a wide gap due to high earners skewing averages. Key figures show the mean for ages 65-74 around $609,000, but the median for that group is closer to $200,000.
Empower Personal DashboardTM data shows 9.1% of people fall into the category of 401(k) millionaire as of September 30, 2025, having accumulated at least $1 million in retirement savings in employer-sponsored plans and individually controlled IRA savings and investment accounts.
The top ten financial mistakes most people make after retirement are:
A common starting point is to estimate that you'll need about 70% to 80% of your pre-retirement income to maintain your standard of living in retirement. For example, if you earn $150,000 annually while working, you might need between $105,000 to $120,000 as a starting point in retirement.
A good retirement nest egg aims to replace 80% of your pre-retirement income, often needing 10-12 times your final salary saved by age 67, but the exact amount varies widely based on lifestyle, desired retirement age, location, and expenses like healthcare. Key benchmarks include saving 1x salary by 30, 3x by 40, 6x by 50, 8x by 60, and 10x by 67, with a 15% savings rate of your income being a strong general goal.
I tell young people all the time, by the time you hit 33 years old you should have at least $100,000 saved somewhere. Make that your goal. That's the age when it's really time to start getting FOCUSED on saving.
Only a small percentage of Americans retire with $1 million or more in retirement savings, with figures from the Federal Reserve and Employee Benefit Research Institute (EBRI) showing around 3.2% of retirees hitting that mark, though some sources cite slightly lower numbers for all Americans (around 2.5%) or higher estimates for households nearing retirement (over 10% of older households have $1M+ net worth, not just retirement funds). The reality is most retirees have significantly less, with the median for ages 65-74 being around $200,000-$609,000 in retirement accounts.
The average retiree's monthly expenses in the U.S. hover around $4,600 to $5,400, with younger retirees (65-74) spending more, often over $5,000 monthly, while those 75+ spend closer to $4,400 as transportation and entertainment costs decrease, though healthcare costs can rise, with housing, transportation, healthcare, and food being the biggest categories.
One common approach is to take required minimum distributions (RMDs) starting at age 73, which helps you avoid penalties and ensures a steady income stream. Another option is to roll over your 401(k) into an IRA, offering more flexibility and potentially better investment choices.
4 common 401(k) mistakes to avoid