We promise unbiased info. Data drives the ratings, not ads. Millions trust this approach. It helps you live richer.
The question isn’t just how much you need. It’s how you stack up against the crowd. The average nest egg tells a story, but is it your story?
The 2025 Northwestern Mutual study paints a bleak picture. Americans think they need $1.26M for comfort. They don’t have it. More than half fear outliving their cash. A panic attack in spreadsheet form.
One number doesn’t fit all. Your health matters. So does your zip code, your habits, and when you plan to quit working. Still, knowing the baseline helps. You want to see the median, not just the dream.
The Messy Reality of Data
Fidelity warns that measuring this is tricky. People tuck money in weird places. Not just 401(k) and IRA accounts. Think CDs, taxable brokerages, health savings, real estate. Regular savings accounts, too.
The data gets messy. Retirement-specific accounts give a cleaner look at how you compare to the average Joe. It’s still an inexact science.
Age Changes Everything
Your savings depend on your age. Period. Empower, sitting on $1.8 trillion, broke down the numbers by decade. They show the typical growth curve in the U.S.
Keep an eye on the median. It sits much lower than the average. Why? Ultra-rich savers skew the average upward. They pull the number up for everyone.
The median gives a more realistic benchmark for most of us.
A few wealthy people can fake prosperity for the whole group. Look at the middle. Ignore the outliers for a moment. Are you keeping up?
