Do most people retire poor?

While relatively few seniors live in official, extreme poverty, a significant majority of Americans (roughly 80%) are either financially struggling or at risk of downward mobility in retirement, with many relying solely on Social Security to get by. Only about 10–35% of people feel they are on track for a secure retirement, as 50% of people aged 62–74 cannot count on more than $25,000 per person per year, barely covering basic expenses.

What percentage of retirees are poor?

Key Takeaways. About 6 to 8 million adults ages 65 and older were living in poverty in 2022, depending on the measure used to assess poverty. Under the official poverty measure, one in 10 (10.2%), or 5.9 million adults ages 65 and older, had incomes below the official poverty threshold of $14,040 in 2022.

How many people retire with no money?

Surveys have found that the number of Americans without retirement savings is between 20% and 46%. Low-income households are most likely to lack savings, often because of limited access to retirement plans. Older Americans without savings face the highest risk, since they have little time left to catch up.

Can I retire at 60 with no money?

How to retire at 60 with no money? Retiring at 60 without savings requires maximizing Social Security benefits, reducing living expenses, and possibly continuing part-time work. Consider government assistance programs and relocating to a more affordable area.

How much do people in their 60's actually spend in retirement?

Key Takeaways

The average retiree household spends about $60,000 annually, with housing (36%), transportation (15%), healthcare (13%) and food (13%) taking the largest shares of the budget.

Seniors share how financial stress is affecting their health, housing and ability to retire

How much does the average 70 year old have in savings?

The Federal Reserve also measures median and mean (average) savings across other types of financial assets. According to the data, the average 70-year-old has approximately: $60,000 in transaction accounts (including checking and savings) $127,000 in certificate of deposit (CD) accounts.

What is the biggest expense for most retirees?

The biggest retirement expense is typically housing, including mortgage/rent, property taxes, insurance, utilities, and maintenance, often consuming around one-third of a retiree's budget; however, healthcare becomes a rapidly growing and often underestimated expense, potentially surpassing housing in later years, covering premiums, gaps in Medicare, dental, vision, and long-term care, making it a crucial financial focus. Other major costs include food, transportation, and taxes. 

What is the smartest age to retire?

There's no single "smartest" age, but 65-67 is a common sweet spot for maximizing benefits (full Social Security, Medicare eligibility), while many Americans think 63 is ideal but often retire around 62-64 due to health or finances. The truly best age depends on your financial security, health, lifestyle goals, and desire to work, with some experts suggesting delaying Social Security to 70 for maximum payout, making late 60s a financially optimal time to retire, even if you start earlier. 

How much do you have to make to get $3,000 a month in Social Security?

To get around $3,000/month in Social Security, you generally need a high earning history, around $100,000-$108,000+ annually over your top 35 years, but waiting to claim until age 70 maximizes this amount, potentially reaching it with lower yearly earnings, say under $70k if you wait long enough, as benefits are based on your highest indexed earnings over 35 years. The exact amount depends heavily on your specific earnings history and the age you start collecting benefits. 

What is the biggest retirement regret among seniors?

Not Saving Enough

If there's one regret that rises above all others, it's this: not saving enough. In fact, a study from the Transamerica Center for Retirement Studies shows that 78% of retirees wish they had saved more.

What happens to people who retire with no savings?

You must then rely on remaining income streams, such as Social Security or a pension if available. Most people who run out of money in retirement continue to scrimp by — living on Social Security income, pursuing a part time job and they have perhaps dramatically cut costs.

How many retirees live only on social security?

An estimated 31.8 million seniors get by on less than $2,000 a month, and Social Security provides 100% of income for 21.8 million American seniors, according to a new study released Monday by The Senior Citizens League.

What percent of seniors have no savings?

About 55 percent of households ages 55–64 had less than $25,000 in retirement savings and 41 percent had zero.

Is $40,000 a year considered poverty?

Whether $40,000 a year is considered poverty depends heavily on your household size and location, but generally, it's well above the official poverty line for individuals and small families but can feel like poverty in high-cost areas or for larger families, as it's often considered lower-middle class, not poverty. For a single person in the contiguous U.S. in 2025, the poverty guideline is about $15,650; for a family of four, it's around $32,150, meaning $40k is above poverty, but proximity to the poverty line for larger families or high-cost states (AK/HI) makes it much tighter, with some federal programs using 130-200% of FPL to define "low income". 

Are people struggling financially?

Yes, a significant portion of people, across different income levels, are struggling financially due to high costs for essentials like housing, food, and childcare, leading to increased debt, paycheck-to-paycheck living, and widespread financial anxiety, despite some appearances of spending. Data from late 2025 and early 2026 shows many middle-class families can't afford basics, lower-income households are falling further behind, and a majority of Americans feel financially vulnerable or stressed about their future, with inflation and debt being major drivers.
 

What is a good monthly income for retirees?

A good monthly retirement income is often considered 70-80% of your pre-retirement income, but it truly depends on your lifestyle, location, and expenses, with benchmarks ranging from $4,000-$8,000+ monthly for a comfortable life, factoring in needs like housing, healthcare, and travel. Financial planners suggest calculating your specific "income gap" by subtracting guaranteed income (like Social Security) from your estimated needs to see what you need from savings. 

What is one of the biggest mistakes people make regarding Social Security?

Claiming Benefits Too Early

One of the biggest mistakes people make is claiming Social Security benefits as soon as they're eligible, which is at age 62. While getting money sooner can be tempting, claiming early has a significant downside: your monthly benefit will be reduced.

Do you live longer if you retire early?

Whether early retirement increases longevity is debated, with conflicting studies: some suggest working longer offers health benefits (less stress, more activity), while others show early retirees can live longer by improving health, reducing stress, or pursuing new purpose, with the activity in retirement being key, not just the age. The impact depends heavily on why you retire and how you spend your time, with burnout leading to worse outcomes and active, purposeful retirement leading to better ones.
 

What are common retirement mistakes?

Among the biggest mistakes retirees make is not adjusting their expenses to their new budget in retirement. Those who have worked for many years need to realize that dining out, clothing and entertainment expenses should be reduced because they are no longer earning the same amount of money as they were while working.

Can I live off $5000 a month in retirement?

To retire comfortably, many retirees need between $60,000 and $100,000 annually, or $5,000 to $8,300 per month. This varies based on personal financial needs and expenses.

What is a forgotten retirement expense?

Healthcare is one of the most underestimated retirement expenses. Even with Medicare, out-of-pocket costs for premiums, prescriptions, and uncovered services can be significant. A 65-year-old retiring in 2025 could expect to spend about $172,500 on healthcare alone, excluding long-term care.

What are the 3 R's of retirement?

The Three R's of Retirement: Resiliency, Resourcefulness & the Renaissance Spirit.

What do old people spend most of their money on?

Housing was the greatest expense in dollar terms ($16,219) and as a share of annual expenditures (32.9 percent) for older households. Spending was greatest ($18,006) for the 55–64 age group, decreasing to $15,838 for the 65–74 group before declining to $13,375 for the 75-and-older group.