Is it OK not to save for retirement?

Asked by: Jordy Cormier DDS  |  Last update: October 13, 2025
Score: 4.8/5 (69 votes)

Unless you have a secret plan to get free money or you're lucky enough to hit the lottery, not saving enough for retirement will leave you scrambling to get by in old age. At the very least, you'll need to work longer or make serious adjustments to your lifestyle to get by.

What happens if you never save for retirement?

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.

Is it really necessary to save for retirement?

First, Social Security benefits are not guaranteed, and it's difficult to live on Social Security alone. It likely won't be enough. Second, by not saving for retirement, you may become a burden for your dependents. Third, you'll be missing out on immediate tax benefits.

Why do some people not save for retirement?

Debt: High levels of credit card debt, student loans, and medical bills can make it difficult to set aside money for savings. Stagnant wages: For many, wages have not kept pace with inflation and the rising cost of living, making it harder to save.

What is the $1000 a month rule for retirement?

The $1,000 per month rule is designed to help you estimate the amount of savings required to generate a steady monthly income during retirement. According to this rule, for every $240,000 you save, you can withdraw $1,000 per month if you stick to a 5% annual withdrawal rate.

New Research Says Young People Shouldn’t Save for Retirement?!

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Can you retire at 60 with $300 000?

That depends on your situation. The main drivers include how much you spend and how much retirement income you get. If you have a generous income from pensions or Social Security, $300k might be plenty. But without significant resources, your spending needs to be relatively low.

How many people regret not saving for retirement?

Overall, 22% of Americans said not saving for retirement early enough is their top financial regret. Older generations, who are closest to retirement, were more likely to cite not starting to save early enough as their biggest regret than younger generations.

Is it normal to have no savings?

Approximately 30% of people in Britain have no savings. It's vital to save money for emergencies and for retirement. There are various ways to start saving and to improve how you save.

Is it okay to not want to retire?

You might not want to stop working no matter how old you get — and that's ok! It all boils down to using your passion as motivation for success so that you can continue doing what you love for as long as possible. So don't limit your retirement dreams just yet — with the right alignment, you may never want to retire!

How many Americans have nothing saved for retirement?

That's not much to fall back on in retirement. As many as 28% of Americans have nothing saved for their retirement, 39% aren't contributing to a retirement fund and another 30% don't think they'll ever be able to retire.

At what age should you start saving for retirement?

Saving 15% of income per year (including any employer contributions) is an appropriate savings level for many people. Having one to one-and-a-half times your income saved for retirement by age 35 is an attainable target for someone who starts saving at age 25.

How do you retire with no savings?

If you retire with no money, you'll have to consider ways to create income to pay for your living expenses. That might include applying for Social Security retirement benefits, getting a reverse mortgage if you own a home, or starting a side hustle or part-time job to generate a steady paycheck.

Is $4000 a month enough to retire on?

With $4,000 in monthly costs, your retirement funding challenge calls for $48,000 annually. The 4% safe withdrawal guideline proposes that retirement savings can safely produce 4% income per year, adjusted upwards annually for inflation, with little risk of depletion over a 30-year retirement.

Is saving for retirement pointless?

Saving money for retirement is important because you'll need a nest egg when you're no longer working. The best way to guarantee an income when you're in your golden years is to save and invest as much as you can now while you are still working.

Why do most people not save?

For many people, the balancing act between income and expenses leaves little wiggle room for savings. The majority of Americans — 60% according to a LendingClub report — live paycheck to paycheck, with no additional funds left over after they cover expenses each month. This leaves few options for saving money.

What is the average retirement savings by age?

The above chart shows that U.S. residents under 35 have an average of $49,130 in retirement savings; those 35 to 44 have an average $141,520; those 45 to 54 have an average $313,220; those 55 to 64 have an average $537,560; those 65 to 74 have an average $609,230; and those 75 or older have an average $462,410.

Do millionaires have savings?

While millionaires may keep large portions of their wealth in other deposit accounts and investments, some may use a checking account to manage daily spending. Millionaires also recognize the importance of having liquid assets, like funds in checking and savings accounts.

What is the #1 regret of retirees?

More than two-thirds of retirees wish they would have saved more and on a consistent basis — and half wish they hadn't waited so long “to concern themselves with saving and investing for retirement,” according to the researchers.

What happens to people who don't save for retirement?

You can still live a fulfilling life as a retiree with little to no savings. It just may look different than you originally planned. With a little pre-planning, relying on Social Security income and making lifestyle modifications—you may be able to meet your retirement needs.

Why are Millennials not saving for retirement?

Millennials are twice as likely as any other age band to cite childcare as a reason for not saving for retirement. The life events millennials face can have a huge disruption on their ability to save. These include parental leave, childcare commitments, becoming a homeowner and career change or break.

Can I retire at 62 with $400,000 in 401k?

If you have $400,000 in the bank you can retire early at age 62, but it will be tight. The good news is that if you can keep working for just five more years, you are on track for a potentially quite comfortable retirement by full retirement age.

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

Just 16% of retirees say they have more than $1 million saved, including all personal savings and assets, according to the recent CNBC Your Money retirement survey conducted with SurveyMonkey. In fact, among those currently saving for retirement, 57% say the amount they're hoping to save is less than $1 million.

At what age should you have $100,000 in a 401k?

Kevin O'Leary: By Age 33, You Should Have $100K in Savings — How To Get Started. If you're just starting out in your career, $100,000 might seem like a lot of money. After all, the median salary of a 20- to 24-year-old, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data, is just $37,024.