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Retirement Planning > Saving for Retirement

Here’s How Much People Think They Need to Retire

By John Manganaro

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What You Need to Know

  • A new Charles Schwab survey shows workers expect to need $1.8 million to retire, up $100,000 from 2022.
  • Despite inflation and market volatility, retirement saving continues to be a priority for workers.
  • In addition to basic retirement planning guidance, workers also want help understanding how new laws and regulations may affect their retirement goals.

After an extended period of inflationary pressure and increased economic uncertainty, American workers now believe they’ll need to save an average of $1.8 million for retirement, according to new survey data published by Charles Schwab.

The survey results show how inflation and market volatility are hurting workers’ ability to save for retirement to a greater extent than last year, says Brian Bender, head of Schwab Workplace Financial Services.

“When inflation persists for an extended period of time, workers are inevitably going to feel a deeper impact on their wallets,” Bender warns. “While many workers are trying to cut back on spending, some costs are unavoidable and certain areas of their finances have taken a hit.”

Some more positive findings from the survey suggest that, despite these challenges, retirement saving continues to be a priority for workers. Most have maintained their 401(k) savings rates and otherwise stayed on top of their 401(k) plan investments over the past year.

Findings Show Lingering Challenges

The new survey, which covers a nationwide sample of 1,000 401(k) plan participants, finds that 62% of workers see inflation as an obstacle to saving for a comfortable retirement, up from 45% last year.”

At the same time, 42% say stock market volatility is an obstacle, up from 33% last year, while nearly eight in 10 (78%) say these conditions are impacting their spending and saving habits. Furthermore, 36% plan to delay retirement as a result.

As noted, Schwab’s data shows workers now believe they’ll need to save an average of $1.8 million for retirement, compared to $1.7 million last year. Only 37% of workers think it’s very likely they’ll achieve this target, down by 10% from last year.

Bender says confidence may have taken a hit, but savers are still hopeful, with only 14% feeling they are not at all likely to reach their goals. To this end, Schwab says, workers are growing more demanding of their employers, and the vast majority (88%) of workers say the 401(k) plan is a “must-have benefit.”

On average, workers say they are counting on 401(k) savings to deliver 40% of their retirement income, according to the survey, which is double what workers expect from the next closest source of Social Security.

More Findings

According to the survey, only 27% of savers feel “very confident” making 401(k) investment decisions on their own, while that level of confidence nearly doubles to 49% when investment decisions are made with professional help.

Most workers (73%) say they would like personalized advice on their 401(k) plan, and 39% say they are already receiving such advice through their plan at work.

In addition to the desire for basic retirement planning guidance, Schwab finds, workers also want help understanding how new regulatory and legislative changes may affect their retirement goals.

(Image: Adobe Stock)

John Manganaro

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