All Age Groups May Have Misguided Retirement Ideas

On average, workers of all ages estimate that they will need $1 million of savings to feel financially comfortable in retirement, according to the 16^th Annual Retirement Survey from the Transamerica Center for Retirement Studies.

The majority of Americans in each age group surveyed—20-, 30-, 40-, 50- and 60-somethings—reported that they are currently saving toward that target, and the most commonly cited goal for their golden years was to spend the time traveling. Their most common fear is outliving their money, and 20% overall report that getting out of credit card debt is their top financial priority.

These similarities among the ages, on their own, are not surprising—cruises have been popular since the Titanic hit movie theaters; Iris Apfel is still going strong at 93; and many respondents were probably solicited for their first credit card in college or even high school. What is problematic, though, is that workers in their 20s and 40s share nearly equal concerns about debt. Twenty-one percent of Millennial workers rank credit card debt as their first priority, 1 percentage point less than the 22% of 40-somethings who say the same.

“Each age range has its own successes and opportunities for improvement,” says Catherine Collinson, president of Transamerica Institute and Transamerica Center for Retirement Studies. “All age ranges present a tremendous opportunity for plan sponsors to work with their benefits advisers and plan providers to ensure that they’re maximizing the benefits of their plans.”

More and more workers are saving for retirement as they age—67% of workers in their 20s, 76% in their 30s and 82% in their 40s—but younger workers do not understand even the basics of retirement investing. One-quarter (24%) of Millennial respondents are enrolled in low-risk, low-return investments, which could cost them many of the benefits they would otherwise get from their long investment horizon.

Older workers, 50- and 60-somethings, do not know how to transition out of retirement, and their expectations for that phase may be way off the mark. Nearly half (47%) of 60-somethings expect Social Security to be their primary source of retirement income, but most (71%) do not know a great deal about this benefit.

Average savings tick up over time: $16,000 for 20-somethings, $45,000 for 30-somethings, $63,000 for 40-somethings, then $117,000 and $172,000 for 50- and 60-somethings, respectively. What this means, however, is that pre-retirees have not saved even one-fifth of their target millions. Given that 53% of workers say they guessed what their retirement needs would be, this presents a clear opening for outreach efforts by plan sponsors and advisers to participants.

Although 20- and 30-somethings are strong savers, their choices are not necessarily backed by financial literacy or expert advice. In fact, 87% of workers in their 30s report that they prefer to do their own research (45%) or seek out advice (42%), but ultimately make their own financial decisions. Yet, 68% admit they do not know as much about investing as they should.

Forty-somethings are unique in that they are in their “sandwich years,” Collinson says. “They are so busy with work and kids and, possibly, aging parents.” They are at tremendous risk, she adds. This age group’s median deferral rate is 7%, below the 8% median among age groups overall. “Many are just stretched. The message is: Find ways to save more.”

Workers in their 50s and 60s need help as they approach retirement, and many are planning a transition into that phase of life. Six in 10 50-somethings (59%) plan to work into retirement or to never retire, and 82% of 60-somethings say the same—or are already doing so. This may be unrealistic, as many older workers are forced to leave the workforce for unexpected reasons, and Collinson warns that both groups have to focus on their own financial futures. For 50-somethings who may be contemplating taking time off of work to care for an aging parent, for instance, the immediate loss of earning power could lead to reduced benefits at retirement age. Aging parents are a factor that “we can’t talk about enough,” Collinson says. “What is done out of love for the family could be at their own financial detriment 20 years out,” she notes. “Make it a family conversation and a shared responsibility.”

Likewise, 60-somethings need to clarify their plans and expectations. Just 15% of workers in this age group have a written strategy in place, and one-quarter (27%) are not certain that their transition into retirement will take place at their current employer. Overall, only 12% of workers report that their employers offer financial counseling about retirement. “There are many choices and strategies available” when these individuals begin to take their Social Security benefit, Collinson says. “That is where advisers and plan sponsors can make a huge difference in helping their employees prepare for retirement—extending educational resources and guidance on how to go about claiming Social Security in a way that optimizes their benefits.”

The first big step for all Americans, Collinson says, is calculating an accurate savings goal. “The U.S. retirement landscape has been changing over time, and it is continuing to change and, at least at this moment in time, workers are at the forefront of effecting changes. All of these changes bring opportunities for plan sponsors and their advisers to keep up with the times, enhance their plans and help their workers achieve retirement readiness.”

A report of the 16th Annual Retirement Survey findings is here.