Workers fear they may not save the $1M they need for comfortable retirement

Workers fear they may not save the $1M they need for comfortable retirement
Bankrate survey finds that most feel they are behind on their retirement savings.
SEP 28, 2023

Saving for retirement is proving challenging for many American workers, who are concerned that they are behind schedule.

For more than one-third of respondents to a Bankrate.com survey, the target is to save at least $1 million for their retirement (13% say $1 million to $2 million). But even for those aiming for a more modest sum, more than half believe they are behind with their savings, including 37% who say they are significantly behind.

Meanwhile, 21% say they are on track with their savings and 16% are ahead, including 6% who are significantly ahead.

However, the percentage of those who think they will have a shortfall rises to 69% among Gen Xers and boomers, those closest to retirement.

NO PROGRESS

Asked about their current retirement savings habits, more than one-third are saving the same as they were last year, while 17% are contributing less.

“Amid the tumultuous developments of the past several years, including a short but severe recession and a period of high and sustained inflation, a majority of Americans say they are not where they need to be to achieve their retirement savings goals,” said Mark Hamrick, Bankrate senior economic analyst. “Compared to our survey about a year ago, there has been no progress on this front. Those closer to retirement age are among those feeling this sense of urgency the most.”

But do respondents feel that they will be able to turn things around and build their retirement savings up to their goal amount?

Of those who have an idea of how much they will need to save to have a comfortable retirement (a quarter don’t know), 45% think it’s unlikely they will achieve it, including 24% who say it’s not at all likely. These stats rise to 57% and 31% among Gen Xers.

Half of poll participants are more optimistic, but this tends to be the younger cohorts.

Latest News

AssetMark's Talk Tracks AI gives advisors a script for client calls
AssetMark's Talk Tracks AI gives advisors a script for client calls

The new AI feature generates instant client portfolio talking points, slashing meeting prep time for advisors.

Behind the Great Wealth Transfer: Citizens bets on business owners
Behind the Great Wealth Transfer: Citizens bets on business owners

As Citizens expands its advisory footprint, the bank is also going after wealth trapped inside business ownership

Forbes and Shook pull the plug on rankings, events, in 2026
Forbes and Shook pull the plug on rankings, events, in 2026

The Forbes rankings are highly sought after by some advisors and firms for marketing purposes.

Advisor moves: Cresset enters Boca Raton with $4 billion UBS team addition
Advisor moves: Cresset enters Boca Raton with $4 billion UBS team addition

Meanwhile, an advisor tuck-in from Edward Jones expands Kestra's Washington, D.C.-area presence, and Janney deepens its Connecticut footprint with an experienced Wells Fargo advisor.

Kovack Financial Network launches private succession platform for advisors
Kovack Financial Network launches private succession platform for advisors

KFN Succession Center pairs advisors weighing retirement with buyers, as next-gen affordability keeps eroding industry-wide.

SPONSORED Direct indexing webinar targets tax-loss harvesting amid market swings

Northern Trust’s Ken Lassner shows advisors how to convert volatility into after-tax portfolio gains

SPONSORED Who builds the income when the pension disappears?

Dan Biagini of American Equity says the steady decline of pensions, longer lifespans and a reset in interest rates are rewriting how advisors build retirement income