In an age of market volatility, ballooning national debt, and rising life expectancies, the question on many Americans’ minds is painfully simple: Will I have enough to retire?

That fear is far from unfounded. According to a 2025 study from Capital One and The Decision Lab, 77% of U.S. adults report anxiety about their personal finances—with retirement savings topping the list of concerns. Another report by Allianz Life found 64% of Americans fear outliving their money more than death itself.

So how much should you have saved by now? And more importantly—what can you do if you’re behind?

Let’s break it down by age and explore how strategic diversification with precious metals like gold and silver can help you bridge the gap.

In Your 30s: Building the Foundation

Your 30s are a pivotal decade. For most Americans, it’s the first real chance to ramp up savings after getting settled in a career. But it’s also when life’s most expensive milestones—like buying a home or raising kids—start hitting your budget hard.

Despite the costs, financial advisors recommend you save at least 1 to 1.5 times your annual salary by your mid-to-late 30s. That means if you earn $80,000, you should aim for $80,000 to $120,000 in total retirement assets.

While traditional assets like stocks and mutual funds are popular, they’re also highly exposed to market downturns. One 2008-style crash could wipe out years of growth. That’s why many younger investors are looking to gold IRAs as a hedge. Gold doesn’t correlate with stocks and has a long history of holding value during recessions.

In Your 50s: The Critical Catch-Up Period

By your 50s, you’re ideally more financially stable. Maybe the mortgage is smaller. Maybe the kids are out of college. But here’s the catch: You only have about a decade left to reach your retirement target.

T. Rowe Price recommends having 3.5 to 5.5 times your salary saved by this stage. That’s $350,000 to $550,000 if you’re earning $100,000 per year.

It’s also time to maximize your annual savings rate—ideally 15% or more. If you’re 50 or older, the IRS lets you make catch-up contributions to IRAs and 401(k)s, giving you more room to accelerate your progress.

This is also the perfect time to rebalance your portfolio. Shifting some capital out of equities and into tangible assets like physical gold or silver can help reduce risk while preserving purchasing power. Unlike fiat currency, gold historically retains value in inflationary environments, making it a smart late-stage addition to any retirement plan.

In Your 60s: The Retirement Red Zone

You’re in the home stretch—but also the most vulnerable to a market shock. According to data from the Center for Retirement Research at Boston College, the average retirement age in the U.S. is 63 for women and 64 for men. That leaves little room for error.

T. Rowe Price recommends retirees have 7.5 to 13.5 times their annual salary saved before exiting the workforce. For someone earning $120,000, that’s $900,000 to $1.62 million in assets.

At this stage, most investors shift from growth to wealth preservation. That means limiting exposure to volatile equities and focusing on stable, defensive assets—especially those with intrinsic value like gold bullion or silver coins.

Gold is especially useful in retirement because it is:

• Highly liquid

• Globally recognized

• Inflation-resistant

• Unaffected by central bank policy

Whether held in a self-directed IRA or outside traditional retirement accounts, precious metals offer downside protection that can help ensure your retirement income remains steady even if the dollar falters.

What If You’re Behind?

Many Americans aren’t on track—and that’s okay. But doing nothing is the worst option.

If you find yourself below the suggested savings benchmarks:

• Max out your 401(k) and IRA contributions

• Take full advantage of employer matches

• Increase your savings rate incrementally

• Avoid high-fee financial products that erode long-term returns

• Consider alternative asset classes like gold and silver to protect what you’ve built

You don’t need to be a financial expert—you just need to act.

The Bottom Line

Retirement planning isn’t just about hitting a number. It’s about creating security and peace of mind in a world of economic uncertainty.

Diversifying with precious metals like gold and silver can provide both stability and growth potential when used strategically. Whether you’re in your 30s building your base, in your 50s catching up, or in your 60s securing your exit plan—it’s never too late to take control of your retirement future.

Want to explore how gold and silver can fit into your retirement strategy?
Speak with a specialist at GoldenCrest Metals today and learn how to diversify your retirement savings with confidence.

Source:
https://news.yahoo.com/finance/news/much-saved-retirement-age-30-171100054.html