Retirement Savings Percentile by Age – See Where You Rank in 2026

Calculate your retirement savings percentile by age using official Federal Reserve data. Find out how your 401(k), IRA, and total retirement accounts compare to others.

Include all retirement accounts: 401(k), 403(b), IRA, Roth IRA, etc.
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Planning for retirement is one of the most important financial decisions you’ll make, but how do you know if you’re on track? The Retirement Savings Percentile by Age calculator helps you understand exactly where you stand compared to other Americans your age. Using official data from the Federal Reserve’s Survey of Consumer Finances, this tool shows you your retirement savings percentile by age—giving you a clear picture of whether you’re ahead of the curve or need to ramp up your savings strategy.

Whether you’re 25 and just starting out or 65 and approaching retirement, knowing your retirement savings percentile can help you make smarter financial decisions. Are you in the top 10%? The bottom 50%? This calculator breaks it down instantly.

What Is a Good Retirement Savings by Age?

So what counts as “good” retirement savings? Here’s the reality: it depends on your age. A 30-year-old with $50,000 saved is crushing it, while a 60-year-old with the same amount is way behind. The table below shows median and target retirement savings by age based on Federal Reserve data and Fidelity benchmarks.

Age GroupMedian SavingsAverage SavingsFidelity TargetTop 25% (75th Percentile)
18-24$0$11,250$13,000 (0.5x salary)$5,000
25-34$11,000$49,130$52,000 (1x salary)$50,000
35-44$45,000$141,520$156,000 (3x salary)$144,000
45-54$115,000$313,220$312,000 (6x salary)$315,000
55-64$185,000$537,560$416,000 (8x salary)$620,000
65-74$200,000$609,230$520,000 (10x salary)$690,000
75+$130,000$462,410Varies$380,000

Looking at this data, you can see why checking your retirement savings percentile by age matters. The median American in their 50s has only $115,000 saved—nowhere near Fidelity’s recommended target of 6x their salary. If you’re at or above the median for your age group, you’re doing better than half of Americans. But to retire comfortably, financial planners suggest hitting the 75th percentile or higher.

Here’s what really jumps out: there’s a massive gap between the median and average at every age. That’s because a small number of super-savers pull the average way up. The median tells you what a typical person has saved, while the average gets skewed by folks with $1 million+ accounts. This is exactly why a retirement savings percentile calculator is so useful—it shows you where YOU actually stand, not just some misleading average.

If you’re below the median for your age, don’t panic. According to the Federal Reserve, 36% of Americans have zero retirement savings. Just by having something saved, you’re ahead of more than a third of the country. But if you want to retire comfortably, you need to aim higher than the median. Most financial advisors suggest targeting the 75th percentile or better to ensure you won’t run out of money.

How to Improve Your Retirement Savings

Okay, so you ran the numbers and your retirement savings percentile isn’t where you want it to be. What now? Here are the moves that actually work to boost your savings.

Max Out Your 401(k) Match First

This is the easiest money you’ll ever make. If your employer matches your 401(k) contributions and you’re not maxing it out, you’re literally leaving free money on the table. Let’s say your company matches 50% up to 6% of your salary. If you make $70,000 and contribute 6% ($4,200), your employer adds another $2,100. That’s an instant 50% return on your money—way better than any investment.

Increase Your Contribution Rate by 1% Every Year

Can’t jump straight to maxing out your 401(k)? No problem. Just bump up your contribution by 1% every year. If you’re currently saving 5%, go to 6% next year, then 7% the year after. You’ll barely notice the difference in your paycheck, but over 20-30 years, that extra percentage adds up to hundreds of thousands of dollars thanks to compound growth.

Take Advantage of Catch-Up Contributions After Age 50

Once you hit 50, the IRS lets you contribute extra to retirement accounts. For 2026, that’s an additional $7,500 to your 401(k) (on top of the standard $23,000 limit) and an extra $1,000 to your IRA (on top of $7,000). If you’re behind on retirement savings, catch-up contributions are your best friend. Someone who maxes out both from age 50 to 65 can add over $380,000 to their retirement accounts.

Open a Roth IRA for Tax-Free Growth

A Roth IRA is clutch if you expect to be in a higher tax bracket in retirement. You pay taxes now on your contributions, but then all the growth and withdrawals in retirement are completely tax-free. For 2026, you can contribute up to $7,000 ($8,000 if you’re 50+). Even if you have a 401(k), you should still max out a Roth IRA if you’re eligible. That gives you tax diversification in retirement—some money taxed now, some taxed later.

Cut One Major Expense and Redirect It

I’m not gonna tell you to skip lattes. But look at your big monthly expenses—maybe you’re paying $200/month for a car you don’t need, or $150 for streaming services you barely use. Cut one major recurring cost and dump that money straight into your retirement account. $200/month invested from age 35 to 65 at 7% annual returns becomes $244,000. That’s life-changing money just from cutting one expense.

Check Your Fees and Switch to Low-Cost Index Funds

High investment fees are silent retirement killers. If your 401(k) charges 1% in fees instead of 0.1%, you’ll lose hundreds of thousands over your career. Log into your account, check what you’re invested in, and if you’re paying more than 0.2% in expense ratios, switch to low-cost index funds. A $500,000 portfolio paying 1% in fees loses $5,000 per year. That same portfolio at 0.1% only loses $500. Over 30 years, that difference compounds into over $200,000.

Retirement Savings vs Net Worth

Here’s something that trips people up: retirement savings and net worth are NOT the same thing, even though people mix them up all the time. Your retirement savings percentile by age only looks at tax-advantaged retirement accounts like 401(k)s, IRAs, and pensions. Your net worth includes everything—your house, car, checking account, investments, real estate, minus all your debts.

So you could have a high net worth percentile but a low retirement savings percentile if most of your wealth is tied up in your house. Or you could be crushing it on retirement savings but have negative net worth because of student loans or a mortgage. They measure different things.

Why does this matter? Because you can’t retire on home equity alone. Sure, your house might be worth $500,000, but unless you sell it or do a reverse mortgage, that money’s not paying your bills in retirement. The Federal Reserve data shows that for Americans 65-74, the median net worth is $409,900 but median retirement savings is only $200,000. That gap is mostly home equity.

The point is: focus on actual retirement savings first. Your house is great, but it’s not liquid. You need cash flow in retirement, and that comes from retirement accounts, Social Security, and pensions—not from the equity sitting in your walls. If your retirement savings percentile is way lower than your net worth percentile, you might want to rebalance and pump more money into 401(k)s and IRAs.

Also, don’t make the mistake of thinking “I’ll just sell my house and downsize to fund retirement.” Tons of retirees say this, but then they actually retire and realize they don’t want to move. Or they move but the smaller house in their area still costs way more than expected. Relying on your house as your retirement plan is risky. Build up those retirement accounts instead.

Retirement Savings by Country

Ever wonder how Americans stack up internationally when it comes to retirement savings? Spoiler: we’re not winning. Here’s how the US compares to other developed countries based on OECD data.

United States: Median retirement savings for someone near retirement (age 55-64) is $185,000. Average is $537,560. About 54% of households have any retirement accounts. The US relies heavily on personal savings since Social Security replaces only about 40% of pre-retirement income for median earners.

Netherlands: The Dutch have one of the best retirement systems in the world. Nearly everyone is covered by a pension through their employer, and the average retiree gets about 80-90% of their working income in retirement. Personal retirement savings are way less important there because their pension system is so strong. The downside? Higher taxes during working years to fund it.

Australia: Aussies have a mandatory retirement savings program called “superannuation.” Employers are required to contribute 11% of your salary to retirement automatically. The median Australian near retirement has about $225,000 AUD ($150,000 USD) saved, but that’s on top of their government pension. Overall, their retirement savings rates are higher than the US.

Canada: Similar to the US, Canadians rely on a mix of government pensions and personal savings. The median Canadian household near retirement has about $250,000 CAD ($185,000 USD) in retirement accounts. Their government pension (CPP) is a bit more generous than US Social Security, replacing about 25-33% of income. But like Americans, many Canadians are underprepared.

United Kingdom: The UK used to have strong employer pensions, but most have been phased out. Now they have “auto-enrollment” where employers must contribute at least 3% and employees contribute 5%. Despite this, the median person near retirement in the UK has only about £100,000 ($130,000 USD) in pensions and retirement savings. Like the US, a lot of Brits are counting on selling their house to fund retirement.

Bottom line: the US system puts more responsibility on individuals to save for retirement than most developed countries. If you don’t actively save through a 401(k) or IRA, you’ll likely struggle in retirement since Social Security alone isn’t enough. That’s why using a retirement savings percentile calculator and tracking where you stand is so critical in the US—there’s no safety net if you don’t save.

Frequently Asked Questions

What percentile should my retirement savings be for my age?

Honestly, you should aim for at least the 50th percentile (median) as a baseline, but the 75th percentile or higher if you want a comfortable retirement. The median tells you you’re doing better than half of people your age, but financial advisors generally recommend being in the top 25% (75th percentile) to ensure you don’t run out of money. If you’re below the median, don’t freak out—just make a plan to catch up.

How much should a 40-year-old have saved for retirement?

According to Federal Reserve data, the median 40-year-old (in the 35-44 age group) has about $45,000 saved for retirement. But Fidelity’s rule of thumb says you should have 3x your annual salary saved by 40. So if you make $70,000, that’s $210,000. Most people fall way short of that target. If you’re at $100,000+ by 40, you’re doing better than 75% of your peers.

Is $500,000 enough to retire at 60?

Maybe, but it’s tight. Using the 4% rule, $500,000 gives you $20,000/year in retirement income. Add Social Security (average $1,900/month or $22,800/year) and you’re looking at around $42,800/year total. That works if you have low expenses and no mortgage, but it’s not exactly comfortable. Most financial planners suggest $1 million minimum to retire at 60 with a middle-class lifestyle.

What is the average 401(k) balance by age?

Based on Vanguard’s 2024 data, here are the average 401(k) balances: under 25 ($7,000), 25-34 ($37,000), 35-44 ($97,000), 45-54 ($179,000), 55-64 ($256,000), 65+ ($279,000). But remember, averages are skewed by high earners. The median balances are way lower. For example, the median 401(k) for someone 55-64 is only about $89,000—not even close to the $256,000 average.

How do I calculate my retirement savings percentile?

Use our calculator above—it’s based on official Federal Reserve Survey of Consumer Finances data. Just enter your age and total retirement savings (401(k), IRA, etc.) and it’ll tell you exactly where you rank. The calculator compares your savings to thousands of households in your age group to give you your percentile. If it says 68th percentile, you have more saved than 68% of people your age.

What if I’m behind on retirement savings for my age?

First off, you’re not alone—most Americans are behind. Here’s what to do: (1) Max out any employer 401(k) match immediately, (2) Increase your contribution by 1-2% per year, (3) If you’re 50+, use catch-up contributions, (4) Cut one major expense and redirect it to retirement, (5) Consider delaying retirement by a few years. Even if you’re at the 25th percentile now, aggressive saving can bump you to the 50th or higher within 5-10 years.

Should I include my pension in retirement savings?

For this calculator, we’re only counting defined contribution accounts (401(k), IRA, 403(b), etc.) that show up as a balance. Traditional pensions (defined benefit plans) aren’t included in the Federal Reserve’s retirement account data because they’re structured differently. However, if your pension was rolled into a 401(k) or IRA, then yes, include that balance.

What’s the difference between median and average retirement savings?

The median is the middle point—half of people have more, half have less. The average (mean) adds up everyone’s balances and divides by the number of people. Averages get skewed by ultra-wealthy people with $5 million in retirement accounts. For example, the average retirement savings for 55-64 year olds is $537,560, but the median is only $185,000. The median is more realistic for what a “typical” person has saved.

How much do I need to retire comfortably?

The rule of thumb is you need 10-12x your final salary saved by retirement. So if you make $80,000 right before retiring, you should have $800,000-$960,000 saved. That lets you withdraw 4% per year ($32,000-$38,400) without running out of money. Add Social Security and you can maintain a similar lifestyle. But “comfortable” is subjective—some people are fine on $50,000/year, others need $100,000+.

Why is the median retirement savings so low?

A few reasons: (1) Not everyone has access to a 401(k)—about 46% of workers don’t have an employer plan, (2) Many people cash out their 401(k) when they change jobs instead of rolling it over, (3) Student loans and high cost of living make it hard to save early in your career, (4) People underestimate how much they need and save too little. That’s why only 35% of Americans feel on track for retirement according to the Federal Reserve.

Can I retire with $1 million?

Yes, but it depends on your lifestyle. $1 million following the 4% rule gives you $40,000/year. Add Social Security (average $1,900/month = $22,800/year) and you’re at about $62,800/year. That’s doable if you’re debt-free, own your home, and live in a low cost-of-living area. But if you’re in an expensive city or have high medical costs, $1 million might be tight. Financial planners often suggest $1.5-$2 million for a comfortable retirement.

What’s considered “rich” for retirement savings?

According to Federal Reserve data, the 90th percentile for retirement savings is around $900,000-$1.1 million depending on age. The top 5% have $1.5 million+, and the top 1% have $2.3 million or more. If you have over $1 million in retirement accounts by age 60, you’re wealthier than about 90% of Americans in terms of retirement preparedness. But remember, “rich” is relative—in expensive cities, $1 million doesn’t go as far.

Should I prioritize paying off my mortgage or saving for retirement?

Honestly? Save for retirement first, especially if you get an employer match. Here’s why: your 401(k) match is free money with an instant return, while your mortgage is probably at 3-6% interest. If your mortgage is under 4%, you’re better off investing—the stock market historically returns 7-10% long-term. Plus, you can’t borrow for retirement, but you can always refinance or downsize your house if needed. That said, if you’re 50+ and behind on savings, having a paid-off house in retirement does reduce how much you need in retirement accounts.

Methodology

This retirement savings percentile by age calculator uses data from the Federal Reserve’s Survey of Consumer Finances (SCF), the most comprehensive source of household financial data in the United States. The SCF is conducted every three years by the Federal Reserve Board and provides detailed information on income, assets, liabilities, and financial behaviors of American families.

Our calculator is based on the 2022 SCF data (the most recent available), which surveyed over 6,000 households. The retirement savings figures include all tax-advantaged retirement accounts such as 401(k) plans, 403(b) plans, IRAs, Roth IRAs, Keogh plans, and other employer-sponsored retirement plans. These figures do NOT include defined benefit pensions, Social Security, or non-retirement investments.

We use linear interpolation to calculate percentiles between known data points, providing accurate percentile rankings for any retirement savings amount within each age group. The age groups (18-24, 25-34, 35-44, 45-54, 55-64, 65-74, 75+) match the Federal Reserve’s standard demographic breakdowns to ensure consistency with official government statistics.

The calculator shows your exact percentile ranking, meaning if you’re at the 65th percentile, you have more retirement savings than 65% of households in your age group. We also display the median (50th percentile), average (mean), and 75th percentile values for comparison purposes.

References & Data Sources

  1. Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System. (2023). Changes in U.S. Family Finances from 2019 to 2022: Evidence from the Survey of Consumer Finances. Retrieved from https://www.federalreserve.gov/publications/files/scf23.pdf
  2. Federal Reserve Board. (2023). Survey of Consumer Finances, 1989-2022. Retrieved from https://www.federalreserve.gov/econres/scfindex.htm
  3. Congressional Research Service. (2024). Distribution of Retirement Account Balances: Analysis of the 2022 Survey of Consumer Finances. Retrieved from Congress.gov
  4. Fidelity Investments. (2024). How America Saves 2024. Retrieved from Fidelity.com
  5. Federal Reserve Board. (2025). Report on the Economic Well-Being of U.S. Households in 2024. Retrieved from FederalReserve.gov

Data Accuracy Statement: This retirement savings percentile calculator uses official data from the Federal Reserve’s 2022 Survey of Consumer Finances, which is the most comprehensive and authoritative source of household retirement account data in the United States. All calculations use standard percentile methodology with linear interpolation for precise rankings. Data is accurate as of the 2022 survey year (published October 2023).