How much money does the average 30 year old have in their bank account?
Average Savings by Age 30
Aim to save an amount equal to your annual salary by age 30 as a general rule of thumb. This provides a good foundation across emergency, short-term, and retirement savings buckets.
The median account balance in 2019 was around $5,300, while the average account balance is around $41,600. This is the latest available data, as the Federal Reserve releases this survey every three years.
Age | Median Amount | Average Amount |
---|---|---|
Less than 35 | $3,240 | $11,250 |
35 to 44 | $4,710 | $27,910 |
45 to 54 | $6,400 | $48,200 |
55 to64 | $5,620 | $55,320 |
Most American households have at least $1,000 in checking or savings accounts. But only about 12% have more than $100,000 in checking and savings.
Fast answer: Rule of thumb: Have 1x your annual income saved by age 30, 3x by 40, and so on. See chart below. The sooner you start saving for retirement, the longer you have to take advantage of the power of compound interest.
The recommended amount to save varies from person to person, as everyone's financial situation differs. But for many people, $20,000 is a sizable emergency fund goal that will go far. If you have a large chunk of savings set aside, make sure you keep it in a bank account that earns interest.
Savings account balance | Percentage of respondents |
---|---|
$0 | 11% |
$1 to $500 | 30% |
$500 to $1,000 | 8% |
$1,001 to $5,000 | 22% |
The numbers are consistently around 60%, meaning only 40% of Americans have enough savings to cover an unexpected expense without going into debt. As of January 2023, the report shows that 57% of Americans have less than $1,000 in savings.
9% of Americans have between $100,000 and $200,000 saved, and 4% have between $200,000 and $350,000 saved. Finally, 4% have between $350,000 and $500,000 saved, and about 4% have more than $500,000.
Is 100K in savings good at 30?
Based on the median income for Americans in this age bracket, $100K between 25-30 years old is pretty good; but you would need to increase your savings to reach your age 40 benchmark.” “The current level of your income makes a big difference in determining if you're on track for retirement,” added Cox.
If you're looking for a ballpark figure, Taylor Kovar, certified financial planner and CEO of Kovar Wealth Management says, “By age 30, a good rule of thumb is to aim to have saved the equivalent of your annual salary. Let's say you're earning $50,000 a year. By 30, it would be beneficial to have $50,000 saved.
Statistics vary, but between 55 percent to 63 percent of Americans are likely living paycheck to paycheck.
Financial Samurai 401k Savings Guideline
From the results, the average 30 year old should have between $100,000 – $350,000 saved up in their 401k, depending on company match and investment performance. If you're looking for a realistic goal, then focus on the Middle column all down the chart.
Kevin O'Leary: By Age 33, You Should Have $100K in Savings — How To Get Started. If you're just starting out in your career, $100,000 might seem like a lot of money. After all, the median salary of a 20- to 24-year-old, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data, is just $37,024.
It's important to have cash reserves available, but $100,000 may be overdoing it. It's important to have money available in your savings account to cover unforeseen expenses. Plus, you never know when you might lose your job or see your hours (and income) get cut, so having cash reserves at the ready is important.
Once again, the Fed's most recent numbers show the average savings for the age group that includes 30-year-olds is $20,540. The median savings is $5,400. If you're in your 30s, you may have some advantages that could help you to grow your savings.
By age 30, you should have saved about $52,000, assuming you're earning a relatively average salary. This target number is based on the rule of thumb you should aim to have about one year's salary saved by the time you're entering your fourth decade.
By age 30, you should have close to the equivalent of one year's salary saved for retirement, Fidelity Investments recommends.
FDIC and NCUA insurance limits
So, regardless of any other factors, you generally shouldn't keep more than $250,000 in any insured deposit account. After all, if you have money in the account that's over this limit, it's typically uninsured. Take advantage of what a high-yield savings account can offer you now.
How much cash should I keep at home?
In addition to keeping funds in a bank account, you should also keep between $100 and $300 cash in your wallet and about $1,000 in a safe at home for unexpected expenses. Everything starts with your budget. If you don't budget correctly, you don't know how much you need to keep in your bank account.
The recommended amount of cash to keep in savings for emergencies is three to six months' worth of living expenses. If you have funds you won't need within the next five years, you may want to consider moving it out of savings and investing it.
Also, nearly one in four (22 percent) U.S. adults said they have no emergency savings. Despite economic challenges, the percentage remains relatively unchanged year-over-year. In 2022, 23 percent of Americans had no emergency savings.
GOBankingRates recently surveyed 1,000 Americans ages 18 and older to learn more about their banking practices and found that 36% have no more than $100 in their savings account. In a similar study conducted in late 2022, 33% of Americans responded they had $100 or less in savings.
Nearly Half of Americans Don't Have $500 in Savings
According to the survey, 49% of Americans have $500 or less in their savings account, with 36% reporting they have less than $100 saved up. This means that a small financial upset can cause these households to end up in debt — or more debt.
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