One in five Americans have absolutely nothing saved for retirement.
That's according to new data released in October by the Indexed Annuity Leadership Council (IALC).
Just as alarming as the number of nonexistent retirement accounts: More than half of Americans admitted they do not have a retirement plan that will carry them through their golden years. Those Americans, understandably, voice the concern that they may outlive their retirement savings.
With steadily growing life expectancies, it's now more important than ever for Americans to feel self-assured about their retirement savings situation.
As of right now, nearly 90% of Americans admit that they are not very confident about their retirement preparedness. When the same question was asked of baby boomers, the group closest to retirement, only 17% said they feel confident about their retirement savings.
At the same time, worry over retirement isn't a flash in the pan, but rather a trend that is increasing or maintaining year over year. Nearly one-fourth of Americans are more concerned about their retirement savings today than they were this time last year, according to IALC's data. More than half are equally as concerned this year as they were the previous year.
This comes as no surprise, as more than half of Americans have less than $100,000 earmarked for their entire retirement. That's nowhere near what is recommended for retirees to live comfortably in a post-work life. Fidelity Investments, the nation's largest provider of retirement accounts, suggests that workers should aim to save an amount equal to at least eight times their ending salary by retirement.
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As you know, planning for retirement can be daunting, but as financial professionals, you are integral in helping Americans become more cognizant of their financial futures. In fact, when Americans were asked who they turn to for financial information or advice, more than one-third said they turn to financial professionals.
Here are three tips you could share with your clients, to help them create peace of mind when it comes to their retirement plans.
