Jun 19, 2025
According to the 2025 Northwestern Mutual Planning & Progress study, the average American now believes they need $1.26 million to retire. That’s $200,000 less than they said they needed last year and nearly the same as the figure quoted in 2022.
The fact that the target hasn’t moved much in the last three years hasn’t made it more accessible, however. The vast majority of U.S. adults are still falling short of this benchmark and are hurtling towards a difficult and uncomfortable retirement. Here’s why, and what you can do to help yourself reach that figure.
Lack of savings and investments
Although most Americans agree that they need to enter the seven-figure club to retire comfortably, only a small fraction of the population has actually achieved this target.
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As of 2024, the U.S. was home to 7.9 million millionaires, according to Capgemini Research. That’s roughly 3% of the country’s total adult population, which means that 97% of Americans haven’t yet reached millionaire status. And keep in mind: that figure includes people of all ages and wealth levels, not just those nearing retirement. Several factors contribute to this shortfall. While some Americans may not prioritize retirement savings, many face barriers that make it difficult to set aside money, including rising housing costs, student loan debt and inflation. Even those who are diligently saving can find it challenging to keep up with the growing cost of a comfortable retirement.
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Starting early is key to saving for retirement
Although 97% of people aren’t millionaires, many could meet that target eventually if they start investing at a young enough age.
A 20-year old, for instance, needs to invest just $330 a month into an asset class that delivers a steady 7% annual return to reach $1.26 million by the time they turn 65. Having the luxury of time significantly boosts your chances of becoming a millionaire.
This doesn’t mean it’s too late for middle-aged savers, but it takes a significantly greater investment. If a 50-year-old hasn’t started saving for retirement, they’d need to invest $3,958 a month at a steady 7% return to reach $1.26 million by retirement.
The real ‘retire comfortably’ number will be unique to your situation
Saving $1.26 million doesn’t guarantee a comfortable retirement for everyone. For example, if your net worth is $1 million but your annual living expenses are $200,000 or $300,000, you need much more than $1 million in savings to continue living the same lifestyle in retirement.
In fact, two thirds of millionaires don’t consider themselves “wealthy” and half of them say their financial planning needs improvement, according to another study by Northwestern Mutual. In short, being a millionaire doesn’t mean you’re ready for retirement.
If you live in a state or another country with a lower cost of living, your target might be smaller. According to Empower's calculations of tax burdens and costs of living, states like Alaska and New Hampshire might be ideal for retirees looking to minimize their expenses. Try using a retirement calculator or consulting a financial planner to determine your personal target. With enough time and meticulous planning, you can be on track for almost any type of retirement you might want.
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Vishesh Raisinghani is a financial journalist covering personal finance, investing and the global economy. He's also the founder of Sharpe Ascension Inc., a content marketing agency focused on investment firms. His work has appeared in Moneywise, Yahoo Finance!, Motley Fool, Seeking Alpha, Mergers & Acquisitions Magazine and Piggybank.
