How many 60 year olds have no savings?

Asked by: Dr. Jayde Haag  |  Last update: March 8, 2026
Score: 4.5/5 (56 votes)

A significant portion of 60-year-olds lack savings, with studies showing around 20% to 40% of older adults (50+) having zero retirement savings, while some reports indicate nearly half of all households have no retirement account, highlighting a growing financial insecurity, especially for women and lower-income groups.

How many 60 year olds have no retirement savings?

WASHINGTON—A new AARP survey finds that 20% of adults ages 50+ have no retirement savings, and more than half (61%) are worried they will not have enough money to support them in retirement.

Do people retire with no savings?

The 2022 Survey of Consumer Finances (SCF) 1 found that nearly 40% of Americans have no retirement savings at all, and among those who do, the median savings is only $86,900—far from sufficient to support even a modest retirement. Consider working with a financial advisor as you plan for retirement.

What percentage of Americans have $0 saved for retirement?

In 2022, 46% of households reported retirement savings, with 26% above $100K and 9% over $500K. In 2022, almost half of American households had no savings in retirement accounts, according to the Federal Reserve's Survey of Consumer Finances (SCF).

How many retirees actually run out of money?

About 45% of Americans will run out of money in retirement, including those who invested and diversified. Here are the 4 biggest mistakes being made.

60 Years Old and No Retirement Savings? - Top 7 Recommendations

39 related questions found

What is the average super balance for a 62 year old?

At age 62, average super (retirement) balances vary, but generally fall in the range of $250,000 to over $380,000 for men, and $180,000 to over $300,000 for women, with median figures often lower, around $150,000-$200,000 for the 60-64 age bracket, showing a wide spread based on sources like Moneysmart, UniSuper, and ATO data. Remember these are averages, and individual balances depend heavily on income, contributions, and time until retirement. 

Can I retire at 60 with no money?

How to retire at 60 with no money? Retiring at 60 without savings requires maximizing Social Security benefits, reducing living expenses, and possibly continuing part-time work. Consider government assistance programs and relocating to a more affordable area.

What is the average 401k balance for a 72 year old?

For a 72-year-old, average 401(k) balances vary by source but generally fall in the range of $270,000 to over $420,000, with median figures often much lower, around $90,000-$100,000, because high earners skew the average; for example, one report shows averages for ages 70s around $425k (median $92k), while another groups them with 65+ at around $299k (median $95k). 

How common is it to have no savings?

Over 1 in 5 Americans have no emergency savings.

What are the biggest retirement mistakes?

The top ten financial mistakes most people make after retirement are:

  • 1) Not Changing Lifestyle After Retirement. ...
  • 2) Failing to Move to More Conservative Investments. ...
  • 3) Applying for Social Security Too Early. ...
  • 4) Spending Too Much Money Too Soon. ...
  • 5) Failure To Be Aware Of Frauds and Scams. ...
  • 6) Cashing Out Pension Too Soon.

How long will $750,000 last in retirement at 62?

With $750,000 at age 62, your money could last anywhere from 15 to over 30 years, depending heavily on your withdrawal rate, investment returns, and if you have other income like Social Security, with the 4% rule suggesting around 25 years (about $30k/year) and lower withdrawals stretching it further. A lower cost of living or smaller spending also significantly increases the duration. 

Are seniors struggling financially?

Researchers found that over 19 million older adult households — 45% of all seniors — lack sufficient income to cover basic living costs. Using Elder Index figures, they estimated that an older adult living alone in a paid-off home still needs $24,000 annually to cover essentials.

Which generation is least prepared for retirement?

Generation X is the least prepared for retirement of any living generation. According to Schroders' 2024 U.S. Retirement Survey, only 14% of Gen Xers feel they're on track for retirement. On average, they say they'll need about $1.07 million to retire comfortably, but expect to have about $603,000 saved.

How common is it to retire at 60?

The average retirement age has increased from age 57 in 1991 . Fewer adults in their 60s are retired. Between 2002-2007 , 41% of US adults 60-64 and 76% of US adults 65-69 were retired. However, between 2016-2022, just 32% of US adults 60-64 and 70% of US adults 65-69 were retired.

How many Americans have $500,000 in 401k?

While exact real-time figures vary, recent data from 2022-2025 suggests around 9-10% of U.S. households have $500,000 or more in retirement savings, with closer to 4-5% having $500,000 to $1 million, and even fewer holding over $1 million, highlighting that substantial 401(k) balances are achieved by a minority. The majority of Americans hold significantly less, with many having under $100k or nothing at all, though savings increase substantially with age and income. 

What is considered a good retirement nest egg?

A good retirement nest egg aims for about 80-90% of your pre-retirement income, often translating to 10 times your final salary by retirement (age 67), but the exact number varies widely, requiring personalized calculation based on lifestyle, retirement age, and expenses, with saving 15% of income and using calculators to track progress being key strategies. 

How much does an average 70 year old have in savings?

For a 70-year-old, average retirement savings vary significantly by source, but generally fall between $250,000 and over $600,000 (mean/average), while the median (half have less) is much lower, around $100,000 to $200,000, highlighting a wide gap due to high earners skewing averages. Key figures show the mean for ages 65-74 around $609,000, but the median for that group is closer to $200,000.
 

How many retirees have no savings?

Surveys have found that the number of Americans without retirement savings is between 20% and 46%. Low-income households are most likely to lack savings, often because of limited access to retirement plans. Older Americans without savings face the highest risk, since they have little time left to catch up.

What is the best career to start at 60?

Great new careers for a 60-year-old leverage experience in fields like consulting, healthcare (admin, caregiving), education, finance, and IT, often with flexibility through remote work or project-based roles, capitalizing on wisdom in areas like virtual assistance, bookkeeping, real estate, or coaching to offer fulfilling, stable, or passion-driven second acts. Focus on transferable skills and certifications in growing sectors like health tech or data analysis for strong opportunities.
 

Why does Elon Musk say saving for retirement will be irrelevant?

Elon Musk says saving for retirement is irrelevant because AI is going to create a world of abundance: 'It won't matter' Saving for retirement is pointless thanks to the impending “supersonic tsunami” of AI and robotics, which will bring about a world of zero scarcity, according to Elon Musk.

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

While millions have some retirement savings, reaching $1 million is a milestone achieved by a minority, with estimates suggesting around 2-4.7% of all U.S. households have $1M+ in retirement accounts, though higher percentages (like 8-10% or more) are seen in specific age brackets or surveys focusing on total assets. More recent Fidelity data shows nearly 500,000 401(k) accounts alone topped $1M by 2024, with over 1.9 million total retirement accounts (401k/IRA) reaching that level by late 2025, indicating a growing but still relatively small group. 

How much should you have saved at 62?

Key Takeaways

Estimating your retirement expenses, including healthcare costs until you become eligible for Medicare at 65, is crucial to ensuring financial stability. Experts suggest saving eight to ten times one's annual income by age 62, but many Americans must catch up, making careful planning necessary.

Should I pay off my mortgage before I retire?

Eliminating a big debt early on could save you thousands of dollars in interest, freeing up money that could be added to your retirement savings and start gaining compound interest instead. Another thing to consider is that keeping up with large debts becomes more difficult in retirement.