Retirement Retirement Planning

Here’s the Average Retirement Savings of Americans at Every Age (How Do You Compare?)

A realistic look at savings by age reveals what it means for your retirement.

By Kristin Hitchcock , Edited by Kristy DeSmit

Updated April 9, 2026

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Editor's note: Retirement savings data is based on reported averages and medians from the Federal Reserve.

Retirement savings are one of those things that quietly sit in the background, until it suddenly doesn't. Maybe you check your 401(k) after a market swing or realize that your retirement is no longer "far off." Either way, it can become real fast.

That's why it helps to have a benchmark. Not to compete, but to get your bearings. Below is a look at what Americans have saved at different ages, what those numbers actually mean, and a way to see how your retirement savings stack up that's actually useful.

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Under 35

Average: ~$49,000
Median: ~$18,800

If you're under 35, these numbers might feel all over the place (and that's because they are).

Some people started investing in their early 20s, landed jobs with strong employer matches, or had help along the way. Others are just getting started or may still be trying to get out from under their student loans. That's why the median sits much lower than the average. It reflects the more typical saver at this age.

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Ages 35–44

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

This is where things often start to pick up, but they can also get complicated. Income is usually higher than in your 20s, which helps, but this is also peak "life is expensive" territory. Mortgages, child care, caring for aging parents, and general life costs tend to compete with retirement contributions.

The higher average suggests some people are really leaning in and saving aggressively. The median tells a quieter story: plenty of people are still figuring out how to balance everything.

Ages 45–54

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

This age range is often a turning point. Retirement stops being so abstract. You might start running actual numbers, realizing how much you'll need, and adjust accordingly. Some people increase contributions or finally start maxing out accounts.

But again, the gap matters. A $300,000+ average sounds strong, but the median shows many are still catching up. Career changes, supporting kids, or even helping aging parents can all slow progress.

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Ages 55–64

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

For many people, this is the "okay, let's get serious" decade. Catch-up contributions become available, and there's often a stronger push to build up savings before retirement. Some households make big strides here.

But not everyone has the same runway. The median shows a lot of people approaching retirement with less than they probably hoped for. That doesn't mean retirement isn't possible. It just may look different, with more reliance on Social Security or part-time income.

Ages 65–74

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

By this point, most people are either retired or right on the edge.

Balances may still look solid on paper, but this is often where the shift from saving to spending begins. Withdrawals start, and portfolios may fluctuate depending on market conditions.

The median number here is especially telling. It suggests that for many retirees, savings are just one piece of the puzzle, not the whole plan.

Ages 75 and older

Average: ~$462,000
Median: ~$130,000

This stage reflects something simple but important: retirement savings aren't meant to sit untouched forever.

Over time, people draw from their accounts to cover living expenses, health care, and everything else retirement brings. That naturally brings balances down.

The wide gap between average and median still shows up, though. Some people preserve more of their savings, while others rely more on fixed-income sources. There's no single "right" pattern here.

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Why the average and median tell two different stories

This is where a lot of people get tripped up. When you see a big average number, it's easy to assume you're behind. But averages can be misleading.

A small group of high savers can pull the average up. The median shows what the middle actually looks like and represents what most people are close to.

In other words, if you feel like you don't match the "headline" number, you're like most Americans.

What to actually take from this

It's tempting to treat these numbers like a scorecard, but they work better as a checkpoint.

If you're ahead, that's great. But it's still worth stress-testing your plan. If you're behind, that doesn't automatically mean you've missed your chance. Many people make meaningful progress later than they expected.

A few grounded takeaways:

Consistency tends to matter more than perfect timing
Small increases in contributions can add up more than you think
Your personal situation matters more than the averages

Bottom line

Retirement savings vary widely, and the gap between averages and medians shows that many Americans are working with less than headline numbers suggest. What matters more than hitting a specific benchmark is whether your current savings habits line up with your retirement goals and expected lifestyle.

Your savings rate can matter more than your total balance, too. Financial planners often suggest aiming to save 10% to 15% of your income over time, adjusting as your earnings grow. If you're not there yet, gradually increasing your contribution rate each year can help you stay on track without feeling overwhelmed.

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