According to the 2025 Northwestern Mutual Planning & Progress study, the average American now believes they need $1.26 million to retire. That’s $200,000 less than they said they needed last year and nearly the same as the figure quoted in 2022.
The fact that the target hasn’t moved much in the last three years hasn’t made it more accessible, however. The vast majority of U.S. adults are still falling short of this benchmark and are hurtling towards a difficult and uncomfortable retirement. Here’s why, and what you can do to help yourself reach that figure.
Although most Americans agree that they need to enter the seven-figure club to retire comfortably, only a small fraction of the population has actually achieved this target.
As of 2024, the U.S. was home to 7.9 million millionaires, according to Capgemini Research. That’s roughly 3% of the country’s total adult population, which means that 97% of Americans haven’t yet reached millionaire status. And keep in mind: that figure includes people of all ages and wealth levels, not just those nearing retirement. Several factors contribute to this shortfall. While some Americans may not prioritize retirement savings, many face barriers that make it difficult to set aside money, including rising housing costs, student loan debt and inflation. Even those who are diligently saving can find it challenging to keep up with the growing cost of a comfortable retirement.
According to the 2025 Northwestern Mutual Planning & Progress study, the average American now believes they need $1.26 million to retire. That’s $200,000 less than they said they needed last year and nearly the same as the figure quoted in 2022.
The fact that the target hasn’t moved much in the last three years hasn’t made it more accessible, however. The vast majority of U.S. adults are still falling short of this benchmark and are hurtling towards a difficult and uncomfortable retirement. Here’s why, and what you can do to help yourself reach that figure.
Although most Americans agree that they need to enter the seven-figure club to retire comfortably, only a small fraction of the population has actually achieved this target.
As of 2024, the U.S. was home to 7.9 million millionaires, according to Capgemini Research. That’s roughly 3% of the country’s total adult population, which means that 97% of Americans haven’t yet reached millionaire status. And keep in mind: that figure includes people of all ages and wealth levels, not just those nearing retirement. Several factors contribute to this shortfall. While some Americans may not prioritize retirement savings, many face barriers that make it difficult to set aside money, including rising housing costs, student loan debt and inflation. Even those who are diligently saving can find it challenging to keep up with the growing cost of a comfortable retirement.
投坛太不接地气了。
基本的生活需求包括医疗也许可以由AI免费提供，需要付费的就剩下星际旅行和大幅度延长寿命。
不买水边的房子就不用花多少钱，买水边的房子你必须花更多的钱装修和维护（如果不做就很不入流）。不买社区最贵的俱乐部MEMBERSHIP（GOLF）也可以节省很多，不买比较贵的船，吃饭自己做，院子自己做。
其他的生活：各种免费的俱乐部都其乐融融的一起玩，而且很多并不富裕的人愿意花钱参加旅游俱乐部，想得开的甚至买头等舱去非洲SAFARI（人生苦短），到南美过生日，交往很多朋友，退休生活很快乐。相反，很富裕的人很少TOUR了，可能年轻时候玩儿够了，越老越怕死在外面，哈哈。
我在这边看到的情况，这里有10个湖区，临水的豪宅（像城堡一样的）非常多，大城市看起来很破，富人都在小TOWN。
说红州穷的人没见过这些。
美国确实是民富国强，人与人之间普遍比较NICE，很少那种没事儿闹到特别NASTY的人和事情，修养普遍还不错。
不是为钱
是为了人的精神面貌.
这是我这几年的观察.
不过人也不要full time work
要学会偷懒.
我回去睡回笼觉了：-）
不在乎钱，有山有水搞研究才是那些人的追求吧
华人的宇宙从top10%开始，收入，资产，寿命，下一代教育，等等。
本坛从5%开始，哈哈。
住在湖边的是全国各地来的，有各种个样的人，不乏商人高管医生。
去商店买东西还是喜欢折价的
其实很多文体明星也住在这边。
上个星期湖里开来一个超级豪华游艇（上千万的那种），据说是某位乡村歌手在这边要建房子。