Retirement Retirement Planning

8 Signs Your Retirement Savings Put You in a Better Position Than the Average Boomer

True retirement readiness is found in practical signs of financial flexibility and lifestyle alignment.

By Kristin Hitchcock

Edited by Kristy DeSmit

Updated Feb. 16, 2026

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Retirement planning can feel strangely lonely. Even if you have saved consistently, there is often a lingering question in the background: Am I actually doing okay, or just hoping I am? Baby boomers face that uncertainty more than most, especially after years of market swings and shifting expectations around retirement itself.

If you want to see how your retirement savings stack up, the answer is rarely found in a single number. It usually shows up in smaller, practical signs that suggest flexibility and room to adapt.

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Your savings spread across more than one account

Many baby boomers built most of their retirement savings in a single account, such as a 401(k). That is not necessarily a mistake, but it can limit flexibility later.

If you also have an IRA, a Roth account, or even some taxable savings, you may be in a stronger position than you realize. Multiple accounts give you choices about when and how you withdraw money, which can matter for both taxes and peace of mind. It also means you are not forced into one approach if circumstances change.

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Your housing costs do not dominate your budget

Housing tends to follow retirees into retirement, whether they want it to or not. For many baby boomers, it remains the largest monthly expense well after leaving the workforce.

If your mortgage is paid off, close to paid off, or simply affordable on your expected income, that is a meaningful advantage. Lower housing costs give you breathing room. They make it easier to handle rising health care expenses or unexpected repairs without constantly dipping into long-term savings.

Social Security is part of your plan, not the whole plan

For most retirees, Social Security matters. But relying on it for the majority of your income can create stress, especially if expenses rise faster than benefits.

If your retirement savings allow Social Security to function as a supplement rather than a lifeline, you are ahead of many peers. That balance gives you more control over when to claim benefits and how aggressively you need to draw from your savings each year.

You have thought about withdrawals, even informally

A surprising number of retirees reach retirement age without a clear idea of how they will actually use their savings. They know how much they have saved, but not how they plan to live on it.

If you have at least a rough sense of which accounts you will tap first and why, you are better prepared than most. This does not require a perfect strategy. Even an adaptable plan shows awareness, and awareness often prevents costly mistakes later.

Your savings match the way you actually want to live

Retirement advice often focuses on hitting a specific savings target. In reality, what matters more is whether your savings support your lifestyle.

If you have looked honestly at how you expect to spend your time and money (travel, hobbies, helping family, health care, or simply enjoying quieter days) and your savings align with that vision, that is a strong sign. Many baby boomers underestimate how personal retirement spending can be, and alignment is often more valuable than a larger balance alone.

You could handle an unexpected expense

Life does not stop throwing curveballs after retirement. Cars break down. Roofs leak. Medical bills appear when you least expect them.

If you have enough accessible savings or cash to absorb a surprise expense without scrambling or selling investments at a bad time, that is a quiet but powerful advantage. It suggests your retirement plan has margin, not just precision.

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You revisit your plan regularly

One of the most underrated strengths in retirement planning is flexibility. If you check in on your savings, spending, and assumptions from time to time, you are doing something many people avoid.

Markets change. Health changes. Goals change. Being willing to adjust does not mean you planned poorly. It usually means you are paying attention, which often matters more in the long run.

You've factored in health care

While Medicare is a cornerstone of retirement, it isn't a "catch-all" for every medical need. If you have researched the difference between Medicare Advantage and Supplemental plans (or if you have a dedicated Health Savings Account (HSA) or a reserve for out-of-pocket costs), you are ahead of the curve.

Real readiness means acknowledging that healthcare is often a retiree's largest "wildcard" expense.

Bottom line

If several of these signs apply to you, your retirement savings may already put you in a stronger position than the average baby boomer. Having flexibility in where your money is saved, realistic expectations about spending, and manageable fixed costs often matter more than hitting a single "ideal" number.

It's easy to forget about timing when planning for retirement. Even a one- or two-year shift in when you claim Social Security or start drawing heavily from savings can meaningfully change how long your money lasts, especially if it reduces the number of years your portfolio needs to support you.

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