Editorial Note: We earn a commission from partner links on Forbes Advisor. Commissions do not affect our editors’ opinions or evaluations. Saving money can help you reach financial goals, like purchasing a home or building an emergency fund. But how do you know if your savings is on track? One way is to use age as a guide and compare your savings to the average amounts Americans of different ages have saved. Average Savings by Age Breakdown
Savings is money set aside for planned spending or, in the case of an emergency fund , to pay for unexpected expenses. Pinning down average savings by age isn’t an exact science because everyone’s financial situation is different. Someone with a higher income and lower expenses may have an easier time saving than someone earning a lower income or paying off significant debt.
The Federal Reserve tracks savings in the U.S. by breaking it down into money Americans keep in “transaction accounts” and “time deposit accounts.”
Transaction accounts allow the account owner to make deposits or withdrawals fairly easily. Examples of transaction accounts include: Checking accounts
Savings accounts
Money market accounts
Time deposits are different, as they typically don’t allow for the movement of money in and out of the account once it’s been opened. The best example of a time deposit account is a certificate of deposit (CD) , which can hit you with stiff penalties if you withdraw your money too soon.
According to the Fed’s most recent Survey of Consumer Finances, the average transaction account balance was $41,600 in 2019. Meanwhile, the median balance for checking and savings combined was $5,300.
Here’s a closer look at the average savings by age, according to Fed data. Average Savings by Age 25
The Federal Reserve doesn’t provide a specific metric for savers in their 20s. Instead, it compiles savings information for Americans under 35.
The Fed’s most recent numbers show the average savings for the age group that includes 25-year-olds is $11,250. The median savings is $3,240.
Having relatively modest savings in your 20s is nothing unusual if you are still in college or have recently graduated. You may be starting an entry-level job with a lower salary and paying off student loans.
It’s not too early to work on building savings, however. For example, you could open a high-yield savings account for emergencies, enroll in your 401(k) at work or make monthly contributions to an individual retirement account (IRA) . Saving even small amounts can work in your favor because you have lots of time to capitalize on the power of compound interest . Average Savings by Age 30
The Federal Reserve doesn’t specifically collect savings data about people who are 30. Again, it lumps together everyone under 35.
The Fed’s most recent numbers show the average savings for the age group that includes 30-year-olds is $11,250. The median savings is $3,240.
If you’re in your 30s, you may have some advantages that could help you to grow your savings. For example, you may be closer to paying off student loans or have moved into a higher-paying job.
At age 30, it’s important to consider the goals you’re working toward financially. Perhaps you’re aiming to: Fully fund your emergency savings
Start saving for retirement if you haven’t already
Save money toward a down payment on a home Setting goals can help you decide how to best allocate your income, based on your priorities. You can also look for opportunities to accelerate your savings efforts.For example, say you get a 2% annual raise in salary. Instead of spending that money, you could increase your 401(k) contribution by 2%. That’s an easy way to save more without having to revamp your budget. Average Savings by Age 40 Americans at this life stage are reflected in Federal Reserve statistics covering people ages 35 to 44. The Fed’s most recent numbers show the average savings for the age group that includes 40-year-olds is $27,900. The median savings is $4,710. By your 40s, you’re likely in your peak earning years and may have more money to put into savings. At this stage, your goals can look different. Saving for retirement may be more important than adding to your emergency fund.Rather than saving, you may be focusing more on investing, which can yield higher returns. Diversifying your investments can help you to manage risk when putting money into the financial markets. How Much Should I Have in Savings? The amount of money you should have in savings depends on your financial needs […]
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