Dim Retirement Prospects for Americans, Except Most Affluent
by Anthony Sibley (AJ) on Sep 20, 2013 | Views: 150 | Score: 0
Have 401(k) or Similar Retirement Savings Account (%) | |
---|---|
Top 20% of Household Incomes | 88 |
Middle 20% of Household Incomes | 52 |
Bottom 20% of Household Incomes | 11 |
Percentage of Americans
Sources:
epi.org, ips-dc.org
Before the 1980s, working Americans did not concern themselves with retirement savings: traditional pensions with guaranteed monthly retirement payments were the norm. With 401(k) investments, however, worker's future retirement income depends on how well their investment does, not on the work. The share of private-sector employees in pension plans fell by nearly half, 42% to 22%, from 1980 to 2010.