U.S. Retirement Savings Rose Amid Lingering Fears
A Transamerica report reveals median household retirement savings reached $56,000 in 2025.
Updated on Sept. 25, 2026 in Retirement Planning
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A recent study found that 59% of U.S. adults believe they have built a sufficient retirement nest egg. Despite rising savings, many Americans remain anxious about the future and the potential obsolescence of their professional skills.
Why it matters
While median household retirement savings grew from $44,000 in 2020 to $56,000 in 2025, a significant portion of the population still harbors concerns regarding health, long-term Social Security stability, and job security.
Median household retirement savings climbed to $56,000 in 2025, up from $44,000 in 2020. Despite this growth, only 23% of adults possess a written retirement strategy and just 31% work with a professional financial adviser.
The players
Transamerica
This life insurance and investment firm provides retirement planning services and publishes recurring research on the financial security of Americans.
The Harris Poll
This is a global market research and analytics firm that conducts public opinion polling on a wide range of social and economic issues.
The details
The survey of 10,015 U.S. adults found that 69% of non-retired individuals are currently saving, though 46% of these respondents express fears that artificial intelligence will render their professional skills obsolete. Additional primary concerns cited by respondents include declining health at 39% and the potential loss of Social Security at 38%.
Timeline
2020 served as the baseline data collection period for the multi-year study.
The primary survey was conducted by The Harris Poll from Sept. 16 to Oct. 17, 2025.
The report was published in September 2026.
Market Dynamics
The findings follow the historical trend of U.S. household retirement savings observed between 2020 and 2025. This analysis updates the median savings figures previously established by that ongoing economic trend.
The data suggests that while median savings are trending upward, a lack of formal planning remains a barrier for most adults. Investors may want to consider working with an adviser or drafting a formal retirement strategy to address fears regarding long-term financial stability.
The takeaway
Building a larger nest egg is only one component of financial security in an era of rapid technological change. Consumers should focus on integrating professional guidance and concrete planning to mitigate concerns about future volatility.
Further reading
Learn more about securing your future in our guide to Retirement Planning.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Fingerlakes1.
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