Bankrate Survey: More than One-third of Americans Lack Retirement Savings

More than one third of all Americans (36%) have not saved money for retirement, according to a new Bankrate.com RATE report. According to results, at 69 percent, of 18-29 year-olds made up the largest group that has not saved any money for retirement; followed by 33 percent of 30-49 year-olds; 26 percent of 50-64 year-olds and 14 percent of people 65 and older.

On the other end, the report showed that Americans who have begun saving for retirement are starting earlier. Twice as many 30-49 year-olds started saving in their 20s as opposed to their 30s, while 50-64 year-olds were only slightly more likely to have started saving in their 20s than their 30s, and Americans 65 and older were almost evenly split between starting in their 20s, 30s and 40s.

“Regardless of age, there is no better time than the present to start saving for retirement,” says Bankrate.com Chief Financial Analyst, Greg McBride, CFA. “The key to a successful retirement is to save early and aggressively, but even those on the cusp of their golden years should have some money allocated toward equities as opposed to all cash and bonds.”

Other key findings of the report include:

• Even though they’re the largest group that doesn’t have retirement savings, millennials feel more financially secure, more secure in their jobs and more optimistic about their current financial situation than any other age group.

• Men’s feelings of financial security slipped, while women noted improved financial security since last month’s report.

• Americans’ comfort level with debt remains mixed—24 percent are less comfortable while 23 percent are more comfortable than one year ago.