Retirement planning isn’t the most obvious hook for a love song. “We can rent a cottage in the Isle of Wight, if it’s not too dear,” sings Paul McCartney in "When I’m 64." “We shall scrimp and save.”
Things have panned out slightly differently than McCartney imagined. This year, at the age of 82, he’s embarking on a South American and European tour. And with a net worth of $1.3 billion, according to the 2024 Sunday Times Rich List, which includes a ranch in Arizona and a house in Beverly Hills, he’s pretty far from scrimping and saving.
Surprisingly, while few 80-year-olds can say they’re that wealthy, many older folk in the U.S. say they’re not struggling financially either. In fact, three in four Americans who have retired (74%) say they have enough money to live comfortably. That’s according to a survey from Gallup, which has been tracking views on retirement in the U.S. since 2002.
Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free E-Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
In contrast, the survey reveals that non-retirees are far less positive about the road ahead: less than half (45%) of this group say they’ll have enough money to live comfortably when they retire.
So, what accounts for what Gallup calls “the disconnect between the retirement expectations of non-retirees and the more positive outcomes among those who are now retired”? In other words, why might many retirees be better off financially than they imagined?
Retirement reality versus expectations
Every April, Gallup surveys least 1,000 US adults aged 18 and older living in all 50 states, asking for their views on personal finance and the economy, including retirement. And, it says, the results have consistently shown a “retirement reality versus expectations gap” since it began collecting this information 23 years ago. “Non-retirees’ outlook has been consistently lower and subject to swings based on the national economic climate,” it says.
For example, consider the views of retirees aged 65-80 today with the expectations of the same age group 20 years ago. Just over half of those aged 45-60 in 2002-2004 felt they would have enough money to live comfortably when they retired. But 79% of this same age group, who are now retired, say they have enough money to live comfortably.
“For this age cohort of Americans,” Gallup says, “the reality has turned out to be significantly more positive than they anticipated two decades ago.”
Bedrock of financial security
Undoubtedly, many retirees have lower living costs than when they were working. They may have downsized in retirement, for example, or relocated to a cheaper city or region. They may also be finding that Medicare is covering more healthcare costs, too.
However, Gallup highlights the “unanticipated value of Social Security in retirement” as a key factor. Data from 2019-2024 show that an average of 58% of retired Americans say Social Security is a major source of their retirement income, making it “the bedrock of their financial security.”
In addition, most of those surveyed say they have major sources of income in addition to Social Security, which inevitably makes for a more secure financial position.
Of those retirees who have at least one major income source in addition to Social Security, 78% say they are financially comfortable. And 82% of those who have three or more major sources of income in retirement (which may or may not include Social Security) say they're financially comfortable.
Falling through the gaps
The survey’s findings present a rosy snapshot of retirement that may strike a chord with many of the 55.8 million people in the U.S. aged 65 and over. But there is a flip-side. Judging by the figures, one in four retired Americans (26%) may not have enough money to live comfortably.
And while six in 10 retirees say they’re financially comfortable with Social Security as their only major income source, four in 10 say they’re struggling. That’s reflected in figures from the U.S. Census, which found that in 2021, roughly 8% of those aged 65 and above lived in poverty — that’s around 4.5 million people.
So, what happens next?
By 2050, it’s predicted that 22% of the population will be aged 65 and over. Couple that with a Social Security system reaching breaking point, and the difficulties of saving for retirement amid a cost of living crisis, and it’s not hard to imagine many retirees facing a very different set of circumstances over the next 20 to 30 years.
But one last note: Financial comfort is subjective — just as wealth is subjective. A cottage by the sea once a year will be plenty for some, too little for others.
If you’re worried about the cost of retirement, take a moment to consider the kind of lifestyle you’ll want in your later years, then use benchmark retirement saving guidelines to help plan for that, or speak with a financial adviser. Your future self will thank you, as McCartney sings, “many years from now.”
Related content
-
Interest Rate Cuts and Inflation: What's Really Going On?For more than two years, we've heard a steady drumbeat of news highlighting inflation and its impact on interest rates. The correlation seems clear, but the issue is actually more complex.
-
How to Make a Charitable Plan That Won't Break Your BankGiving back is great … if you have a plan that's as sustainable and smart as it is generous. Here are five tips for giving wisely.
-
This Double-Dip Trust Benefit Really Is Too Good to Be TrueLet's clear up the confusion among some trust makers and taxpayers over how grantor trust status affects the step-up in basis and estate tax exclusion.
-
How to Structure Retirement Income to Tamp Down TaxesFrom Social Security to IRAs and investments, with smart tax planning, retirees can have some control over how much of their income they'll get to keep.
-
Four Key Elements of a Good Estate PlanAn estate plan can be complex or simple, depending on your estate and your wishes, but every estate plan should accomplish these basic goals.
-
Four Common Misconceptions About Life InsuranceJust because you have no dependents and no debt doesn't mean life insurance wouldn't come in exceedingly handy for someone in your life or even a charity.
-
Should You Keep Your 401(k) When You Retire?Here are three primary reasons you might want to consider moving your retirement money from your 401(k) to an IRA once you retire.
-
Want to Move to Italy? What to Consider FinanciallyOnce you've decided that you and Italy are compatible, you'll want to work out your tax planning, investments, retirement accounts and benefits.
-
Medicare Advantage Customers Face Shrinking Pool of InsurersMedicare Advantage plan insurers are reducing their enrollments as profit margins shrink.
-
Estate Planning: How to Protect Family TreasuresItems like antiques, art and jewelry, as well as family photos, can carry huge emotional ties. The more specific you are in your plans, the better for everyone.
