Where Else People Age 55-64 Are Saving Money<\/p>\n
Asset
\n% Households with Asset
\nMedian Value for Asset Holders<\/p>\n
Savings Bonds
\n8.5%
\n$3,000<\/p>\n
CDs
\n6.6%
\n$25,000<\/p>\n
Stocks (directly held)
\n19.2%
\n$30,000<\/p>\n
Retirement Accts
\n57%
\n$185,000<\/p>\n
Bonds (directly held)
\n1.2%
\n$400,000<\/p>\n
Source: The Federal Reserve\u2019s \u201cSurvey of Consumer Finances\u201d<\/a> (2022)<\/p>\n “Directly held” means the asset is not in a retirement account. The value of bonds in this table looks much higher than the other categories, especially given that only a tiny fraction of 55-64-year-olds owns directly held corporate or municipal bonds. This small group either holds numerous bonds, bonds with high values, or both. Also, survey respondents self-report values, and could have reported face values of bonds<\/a> that they found on account statements, rather than market values, which may have been lower in 2022.<\/p>\n Strategies to Maximize Your Retirement Savings in Your 50s and 60s <\/p>\n There\u2019s no right\/perfect\/ideal amount to save. It varies based on your personal and financial situation. Your lifestyle and costs can vary region to region, and if you have pensions or additional sources of retirement income beyond Social Security, that can mean you can have less in retirement savings, said Marguerita Cheng, CFP, founder of Blue Ocean Global Wealth<\/a>.\n<\/p>\n If you were raising children and helping them with large expenses such as college, you may not have been able to save as much when you were younger. Or if you had car payments or credit card debt that you\u2019ve been able to pay off, you may now be able to direct more money toward savings.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n Cheng offers these tips:\n<\/p>\n Learn More About Social Security <\/p>\n If you are not already collecting Social Security payments, Cheng recommends creating an account at SSA.gov to see what you can expect to receive at age 62, at your full retirement age (as determined by the Social Security Administration), and at age 70. You will receive the most if you wait until age 70, but you can start collecting the benefit at age 62. You may receive less at that age, \u201cbut there’s times and situations where that may be appropriate,\u201d Cheng said.\n<\/p>\n Remember That You\u2019re a Long-Term Investor <\/p>\n If you have extra money from paying off debt, allocate some of the cash flow to both short-term savings and long-term investments. \u201cEven if you’re in your 60s and you’re retiring today, you’re still a long-term investor,\u201d Cheng said. \u201cIt\u2019s not unusual to spend 30 years in retirement.\u201d\n<\/p>\n Use Methods Beyond 529s to Pay for College <\/p>\n If you are balancing college costs and retirement and you have a 529 education account, Cheng recommends not paying for school solely with those funds. While they are very favorable and utilize tax-free money, she suggests paying some college expenses with taxable money so you may be eligible for some education tax credits<\/a>.<\/p>\n Tip<\/p>\n If you pay for $4,000 of qualified higher-education expenses per year with taxable funds, you may be eligible for a $2,500 American Opportunity Tax Credit. This credit is on expenses within the first four years of higher education; another credit called the Lifetime Learning Credit is designed for all education levels. You cannot claim the AOTC and the Lifetime Learning Credit for the same student in the same tax year.\u00a0<\/p>\n Consider Contributing to a Roth Account <\/p>\n Holding some of your investments in a Roth IRA<\/a> could save you some headaches when you later withdraw the money\u2014since withdrawals from a Roth will be tax-free, said Cheng. Plus, being over 50 means you can make catch-up contributions<\/a>. But you don\u2019t need to max out the full amount each year if it would strain your finances, Cheng said. A few hundred dollars a month in contributions can still add up to $3,000 a year.\n<\/p>\n Discuss Your Retirement Plans <\/p>\n \u201cThis is a great time to talk to your spouse and partner about what they want to do and the vision they have, and it’s OK if it’s different,\u201d Cheng said. \u201cIt’s important to have these conversations, because we all have different experiences and preferences based on what we’ve experienced and what we’ve seen.\u201d\n<\/p>\n How To Use High-Yield Accounts and CDs To Boost Your Savings <\/p>\n If you\u2019re in a position to add to your short-term savings, CDs and high-yield savings accounts are two great options\u2014especially now, while interest rates are high.\n<\/p>\n A high-yield savings account offers full access to your money and can provide a solid return\u2014though the rates are variable, meaning that the credit union or bank can change them at any time. A dozen of the highest-paying savings accounts<\/a> pay between 4.00% and 5.00% annual percentage yield (APY)<\/a> right now. A high-yield savings account is a good place for your emergency fund, Cheng noted, and is her recommendation if someone\u2019s short on cash reserves.\n<\/p>\n If you don\u2019t need immediate access to your money, a certificate of deposit may be a good choice. CDs pay a guaranteed, fixed rate while you leave your money untouched for a certain time period, usually between 3 months and 5 years. The top-paying CDs<\/a> are currently offering yields as high as 4.40% (as of Oct. 31, 2025). Those returns are locked in regardless of what happens with interest rates during the length of your CD.\n<\/p>\n