Americans Paint a Rosy Retirement Outlook

The majority think they are on track for a secure retirement, but many worry about high health care costs.

Nearly two-thirds, 65%, of Americans are confident they have saved enough, or will save enough, to retire comfortably, Kiplinger’s Personal Finance learned in a survey. However, 22% are worried about high health care costs in retirement.

Eighty-five percent of those younger than 50 and 67% of those 50 and older expect to work full time as long as possible before retiring. Forty-seven percent expect to continue working after retiring. Forty-five percent are confident that Social Security will provide the income they expect.

Never miss a story — sign up for PLANSPONSOR newsletters to keep up on the latest retirement plan benefits news.

On average, Americans have saved $327,090 for retirement, saving an average of 13.3% of their annual income. Those making more than $100,000 a year have saved $670,810, and those making less than that have saved $180,200. Seventy-two percent of those with a mortgage expect to pay it off before retiring.

Overall, people are contributing an average of $11,910 to their workplace retirement plans each year. Among those with household incomes more than $100,000, they are contributing an average of $17,710, and those with household incomes of less than $100,000 are contributing $8,240.

Men think they will need a $985,929 nest egg to be able to retire, and women think they will need $828,360. Overall, people said they think they will need a $909,000 nest egg. Those with household incomes of more than $100,000 think they will need $1.5 million, and those with household incomes less than $100,000 think they will need $648,000.

Sixty-one percent of those with a long-term financial plan are working with an adviser. They median age at which respondents expect to retire is 64.7.

Seventy-three percent have a workplace retirement plan, 56% have a traditional individual retirement account (IRA), 42% have a Roth IRA, and 20% have an annuity.

Fifty percent of respondents expect to receive a pension, and among this group, 66% will take it as an annuity. The median amount they expect to collect is $2,190 per month. The median expected percentage of income from Social Security is 30%.

Twenty-five percent would consider purchasing an immediate annuity. Twenty-three percent have long-term care insurance, and among those without this type of insurance, 30% would consider purchasing it in the future.

Among those who do not think they are saving enough for retirement, 28% say it is due to high health insurance and medical costs, 24% say it is due to disappointing investment performance, and 15% say it is due to debt other than student loans.

Thirty-four percent are considering relocating during retirement, with the top reasons being lower taxes, lower cost of living, warmer climate and to be with family.

SURVEY SAYS: Do New Year’s Resolutions Work?

In past NewsDash readers surveys, respondents have reported that they failed in keeping New Year’s resolutions or that they are “a waste of time.”

This week, I’d like to know, have you made New Year’s resolutions for 2019, were you successful in keeping resolutions you made last year, and are you making any financial resolutions this year?

 

For more stories like this, sign up for the PLANSPONSOR NEWSDash daily newsletter.

You may respond to this week’s survey by 6 p.m. Pacific time today at https://www.research.net/r/MW96D8K.

«