The state of retirement readiness among Americans presents a varied picture. While the top 5% of earners seem well-prepared for their post-work years, the majority might face financial challenges, as exposed by a recent Vanguard study.
Joe Davis, Vanguard’s chief global economist and head of the Investment Strategy Group, emphasized the importance of a secure retirement as a cornerstone of the American dream. He expressed the study’s intention to draw attention to the need for more strategies to ensure retirement preparedness for all.
The study delved into the retirement prospects of three age groups: early millennials (37-41 years old), mid-Generation X (49-53 years old), and late baby boomers (61-65 years old). To gauge the retirement readiness of American workers, Vanguard compared the potential retirement income as a percentage of their pre-retirement earnings against the anticipated spending needs, as outlined by the University of Michigan’s Health and Retirement Survey. The gap between these two values provided insights into the projected savings shortfall.
The findings revealed that high-earning families from all three age groups could expect a savings surplus of 20% relative to their anticipated expenses. In contrast, those in the 25th and 50th income percentiles across all age groups faced a projected savings deficit of 32-33% compared to their expected outlays.
Vanguard’s analysis further indicated that workers in the lower, middle, and upper-middle income brackets, representing the 25th, 50th, and 70th income percentiles, might not save enough to maintain the spending habits of current retirees. Interestingly, younger generations seem slightly better positioned than their older peers.
For instance, millennials in the median income bracket are projected to have retirement incomes equivalent to 58% of their pre-retirement earnings, an 8% improvement over late baby boomers in the same income bracket. The disparity is even more pronounced for higher earners, with early millennials in the 70th income percentile expected to achieve a 66% replacement rate, a significant 15% jump over late baby boomers.
Vanguard’s global head of investor research and policy, Fiona Greig, noted that despite the common narrative of younger generations facing more retirement challenges, the data suggests that millennials and Gen Xers have greatly benefited from enhanced retirement plan structures that promote timely savings and suitable investment strategies.
The study also pointed out potential strategies to bridge the retirement savings gap. For those nearing retirement, postponing retirement or leveraging home equity could be viable options. Vanguard’s research showed that working an additional year could boost retirement income across all age groups, increasing the sustainable retirement income replacement rate by 2-5%. This extension augments wage income duration and reduces reliance on savings or investments. Tapping into home equity can also be a supplementary income source for retirees.
Lastly, the role of financial advisors in retirement planning cannot be understated. A recent survey by Natixis revealed that millennials highly sought retirement planning guidance from their advisors. Additionally, a Schroders report highlighted that retirees who consulted financial advisors enjoyed almost double the monthly income compared to those who didn’t.