Retirement Retirement Planning

You're Beating the Average Retirement Saver if You Have More Than This

How your retirement savings compare and what to aim for next.

By Kristin Hitchcock , Edited by Laura Hohenstein

Updated April 17, 2026

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Retirement used to feel like a finish line you'd eventually reach. Now it feels more like a moving target. Prices keep creeping up, markets don't always cooperate, and a lot of people quietly wonder if they're doing enough.

That's why comparisons can be helpful to get your bearings. When you know what typical Americans have saved, it becomes easier to see how well you've prepared for retirement and what might need adjusting. Let's start with the numbers that matter most.

Editor's note: Retirement savings data is based primarily on the Federal Reserve's most recent Survey of Consumer Finances, unless otherwise noted.

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The average retirement savings across all ages

Here's the headline number most people are looking for:

Average retirement savings: about $333,940
Median retirement savings: about $87,000

That gap is huge and important. The "average" gets pulled up by people with very large balances. The median tells you what a more typical household has.

So, if you've saved more than roughly $87,000, you're already ahead of half of Americans with a retirement savings account. That may not feel like a big win, but statistically, it is. Still, age matters a lot. A 30-year-old with $87,000 is in a very different position than someone nearing retirement.

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Ages 25–34

Average: ~$49,000
Median: ~$18,880

Most people in their late 20s and early 30s don't feel "ahead." There's often student debt, lower starting salaries, and a lot of competing priorities. But this is where momentum starts. If you've saved anything consistently, you're doing better than it may seem. The biggest advantage here isn't a large balance. It's time.

Someone saving modestly in this decade might outpace someone who starts later with bigger contributions.

Ages 35–44

Average: ~$141,000
Median: ~$45,000

This is the decade where things start to feel stretched. Careers are growing, but so are expenses. Mortgages, childcare, and day-to-day life can eat up a lot of income.

That's why the median is still relatively low. A lot of people are trying to balance everything at once. If you're near the average, you're in a strong spot. If you're closer to the median, you're still very much in the middle of the pack. It's mostly about staying consistent at this point.

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Ages 45–54

Average: ~$313,000
Median: ~$115,000

For many households, this is the turning point. Income is often higher, and there's finally some room to save more aggressively. But this is also when people realize they may be behind.

The good news is this decade still offers time to adjust. Increasing contributions, even gradually, could make a noticeable difference. This is also when catch-up contributions start becoming part of the conversation.

Ages 55–64

Average: ~$537,000
Median: ~$185,000

At this stage, retirement stops feeling abstract. It's close enough to picture and start really planning for.

Some people are in great shape. Others are trying to close gaps quickly. The wide spread between average and median shows just how different situations can look. If your savings are closer to the median, you're not alone. But it may be worth taking a closer look at your expected expenses, Social Security timing, and whether you want to work longer.

Ages 65–74

Average: ~$609,000
Median: ~$200,000

By this point, most people have stopped adding to their savings and started using it.

The focus shifts from "How much do I have?" to "How long will this last?" That's a different kind of planning. Withdrawal rates, taxes, and healthcare costs all start to matter more. Having a solid plan here could be just as important as how much you saved.

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What "beating the average" really looks like

It's easy to get discouraged with all of these big numbers. However, the reality is a lot more nuanced.

If you're above the median, you're ahead of most people. If you're near the average, you're in a relatively safe position.

And if you're below both, that doesn't necessarily mean you're in a bad position. It just means your plan may need adjusting! These numbers are benchmarks, not verdicts.

How to figure out what you actually need

Averages are helpful, but they don't tell your story.

A more useful approach is to think about your own lifestyle. Many financial planners suggest replacing around 70% to 80% of your pre-retirement income, but that's just a starting point.

From there, it helps to look at what Social Security might cover and what your day-to-day spending could look like. You might also have other sources of income in retirement, like a pension or part-time work.

How to start closing the gap

If you feel behind, it's tempting to think you need a massive change. However, in reality, small, steady moves tend to matter more.

You might start by increasing contributions by 1% at a time, making sure you're taking advantage of your full employer match, and reviewing your investments regularly. None of this is dramatic, but if you do it consistently, they can start to move the needle.

Bottom line

If your retirement savings are above the median for your age, you're already ahead of more people than you might expect, even if the averages make it feel otherwise. Those big "average" numbers are often skewed by high earners, so comparing yourself to the median tends to give you a more realistic picture.

What matters more is whether your savings align with your lifestyle and timeline. One practical way to set yourself up for retirement is to check your savings rate, not just your balance. Many experts suggest aiming to save 10% to 20% of your income over time. If you're close to that, you're likely building momentum in the right direction.

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