Americans Paint a Rosy Retirement Outlook

Nearly two-thirds, 65%, of Americans are confident they have saved enough, or will save enough, to retire comfortably, Kiplinger’s Personal Finance learned in a survey. However, 22% are worried about high health care costs in retirement.

Eighty-five percent of those younger than 50 and 67% of those 50 and older expect to work full time as long as possible before retiring. Forty-seven percent expect to continue working after retiring. Forty-five percent are confident that Social Security will provide the income they expect.

On average, Americans have saved $327,090 for retirement, saving an average of 13.3% of their annual income. Those making more than $100,000 a year have saved $670,810, and those making less than that have saved $180,200. Seventy-two percent of those with a mortgage expect to pay it off before retiring.

Overall, people are contributing an average of $11,910 to their workplace retirement plans each year. Among those with household incomes more than $100,000, they are contributing an average of $17,710, and those with household incomes of less than $100,000 are contributing $8,240.

Men think they will need a $985,929 nest egg to be able to retire, and women think they will need $828,360. Overall, people said they think they will need a $909,000 nest egg. Those with household incomes of more than $100,000 think they will need $1.5 million, and those with household incomes less than $100,000 think they will need $648,000.

Sixty-one percent of those with a long-term financial plan are working with an adviser. They median age at which respondents expect to retire is 64.7.

Seventy-three percent have a workplace retirement plan, 56% have a traditional individual retirement account (IRA), 42% have a Roth IRA, and 20% have an annuity.

Fifty percent of respondents expect to receive a pension, and among this group, 66% will take it as an annuity. The median amount they expect to collect is $2,190 per month. The median expected percentage of income from Social Security is 30%.

Twenty-five percent would consider purchasing an immediate annuity. Twenty-three percent have long-term care insurance, and among those without this type of insurance, 30% would consider purchasing it in the future.

Among those who do not think they are saving enough for retirement, 28% say it is due to high health insurance and medical costs, 24% say it is due to disappointing investment performance, and 15% say it is due to debt other than student loans.

Thirty-four percent are considering relocating during retirement, with the top reasons being lower taxes, lower cost of living, warmer climate and to be with family.