Some Good News on Retirement Savings

Twenty-three percent of working Americans increased their retirement savings contributions this year compared to last year, the highest reading in six years of polling, according to a new report from Bankrate.com. Another 16% indicate they have reduced their contributions over that time.

The encouraging findings mark a stark turnaround from the 2011 results when just 15% increased their retirement savings contributions and 29% had cut them. Still, 5% of working Americans didn't contribute to retirement savings at all this year or last year, though that number is half of what it was in 2015.

"Working Americans are increasing their retirement savings more and more as the economic recovery continues, whether by saving the same percentage of higher earnings or a higher percentage of the same earnings," said Bankrate.com's chief financial analyst Greg McBride, CFA.

Households earning $50K per year or more are most likely to have increased their retirement savings contributions (27% versus 18% who make less than that). Only the lowest income households – those earning less than $30K per year – are more likely to have cut than increased their retirement contributions (22% have scaled back while 20% have boosted contributions).

All Age Groups Under 63 Are Likely to be Saving More

Every age group under age 63 is more likely to have increased rather than decreased their contributions. Younger millennial workers (18-26) lead the way, with 30% increasing their retirement savings over the past year.

Older workers, however, are scaling back the savings. Older Boomers (63-71) were slightly more likely to have reduced (16%) than increased (15%), while those in the Silent Generation (72+) were overwhelmingly more likely to have reduced (45%) than increased (13%) their contributions.

Among political affiliations, those identifying as Republicans are far more likely to have increased their retirement contributions (27%) than decreased (6%), while Democrats are the only group more likely to have cut their retirement savings contributions (22% versus 18%). Independents were more likely to have increased (25%) than decreased (17%) their contributions.

Those working part-time are nearly twice as likely to have reduced (33%) rather than increased (17%) their contributions. 

The Bankrate.com Financial Security Index rebounded slightly from 105.3 to 105.8 this month. This is now the third highest reading ever, trailing only the 106.7 in June and 106.5 in March. Any figure above 100 is indicative of improved financial security over the past 12 months.

Find out more at Bankrate.com.

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