70 may be the new 65 — at least when it comes to retirement. A new survey reveals that older Americans are setting their hopes a little lower when it comes to retirement age.
The survey, which was conducted by CareerBuilder and Harris Poll, involved 3,200+ working employees over the age of 18. Of that group, 556 workers were over the age of 60. This article is based solely on workers who fall into the latter category.
Retirement Age
The survey found a major shift in mentality among those 60 and older. In the past, an overwhelming majority of seniors felt they would retire by age 65. Now, 30% of those over 60 believe they will retire when they are 70 or older. An additional 20% believe they will never be able to retire.
How Much Money Is Needed to Retire
When asked how much money they will need to retire, those aged 60 and older were split:
Making matters worse, nearly a third of workers over 55 reported that they are not participating in any retirement plan, be it a 401(k), IRA, etc. 74% of this group aren’t earning their desired salary, and 8% were forced to take on a second job.
While the survey doesn’t paint a bright picture for many, it does serve as an important reminder that we need pay special attention to our finances and retirement. With the right investment strategies, a secure retirement can be within your reach. Otherwise, you might be working until your 70 or beyond.