Overview
- Journalists on Monday and Tuesday relied on the Federal Reserve's 2022 Survey of Consumer Finances because the Fed's 2025 results had not yet been published.
- The Fed's 2022 survey shows low median retirement balances for younger households, with $18,880 for heads aged 18–34 and $45,000 for heads aged 35–44.
- The same Fed data report much larger average (mean) balances for older cohorts, about $537,600 for ages 55–64, $609,200 for ages 65–74, and $462,400 for those 75 and older.
- Private data cited by KCRA from NerdWallet gives higher average balances for midlife groups, for example $49,130 for under 35, $141,520 for 35–44, $313,220 for 45–54, and $537,560 for 55–64.
- Reporters and advisers note the gap comes from measure choice and sample differences, that older retirees often have lower remaining balances from years of drawdown, and that the pending 2025 Fed survey will be key for updated benchmarks and saving advice.