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The ‘magic number’ to retire comfortably hits a new all-time high

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Inflation has made the cost of just about everything in the U.S. more expensive – including retirement.

A new study published by Northwestern Mutual found the “magic number” that Americans believe they need in order to retire comfortably hit $1.46 million this year, the highest level on record. 

The figure represents a nearly 15% jump from the $1.27 million that Americans said they needed in 2023, easily outstripping the current 3% inflation rate in the country. 

Over the past five years, Americans’ “magic number” has surged 53% from the $951,000 reported in 2020, according to the financial services firm.

WHY ARE GROCERIES STILL SO EXPENSIVE?

Savings jar

The figure represents a nearly 15% jump from the $1.27 million that Americans said they needed in 2023, easily outstripping the current 3% inflation rate in the country. (iStock / iStock)

By generation, both Gen Z and millennials anticipate they will need more than $1.6 million to retire comfortably. Among high net-worth individuals – or those with more than $1 million in investable assets – the figure catapults to about $4 million. 

Even though they expect to need more money in retirement, Americans are not actually saving more.

The average amount that U.S. adults have tucked away for retirement fell to $88,400 from $89,300 in 2023. However, that is down more than $10,000 from the five-year peak of $98,800 in 2021, the study said. In total, the gap between what people think they need for retirement and what they have actually saved is $1.37 million. By comparison, just five years ago, that was about $874,000.

US ECONOMY ADDS 303K JOBS IN MARCH, MUCH STRONGER THAN EXPECTED

“Across all segments, there are large gaps between what people think they’ll need to retire and what they’ve saved to date,” the study said.

The study comes as Americans continue to confront stubbornly high inflation that has rapidly eroded their purchasing power and, in some cases, forced them to use their retirement savings as a financial lifeline. 

US grocery shoppers

Shoppers are seen in a Kroger supermarket on Oct. 14, 2022, in Atlanta. (Photo by Elijah Nouvelage / AFP / Getty Images)

A separate study by the Alliance Life Insurance Company of North America shows that nearly 7 in 10 respondents said they have not contributed as much to their savings due to higher prices for everyday goods, while 42% of households reported dipping into their retirement savings.

“The rising cost of living is stretching American budgets,” said Kelly LaVigne, vice president of consumer insights at Allianz Life. “Just because inflation has slowed doesn’t mean prices have gone down. In the short term, it may be wise to delay any major purchases to keep saving toward your future and avoid taking on new debt.”

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Inflation has created severe financial pressures for most U.S. households, which are forced to pay more for everyday necessities like food and rent. The burden is disproportionately borne by low-income Americans, whose already-stretched paychecks are heavily impacted by price fluctuations.

While inflation has fallen considerably from a peak of 9.1% notched during June 2022, it remains above the Federal Reserve’s 2% goal. And when compared with January 2021, shortly before the inflation crisis began, prices are up a stunning 18.49%.

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Finance

What the Trump tax bill means for your wallet

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President Donald Trump’s “big, beautiful bill” cleared the House and is making its way through the Senate. 

Still, critics point out the bill, which is over 1,000 pages, will add trillions to what is already ballooning government debt hovering at $36 trillion and deficits. However, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent believes this can be managed. 

“We think that we can both grow the economy and control the debt. What’s important, Bill, is that we grow the economy faster than the debt. What I would tell your viewers to focus on, what I am focused on, what Secretary Yellen was focused on is what is the total debt to GDP because we can grow our way out of this,” Bessent said during an appearance Friday on Fox’s “America’s Newsroom” with Bill Hemmer. 

NATIONAL DEBT TRACKER: AMERICAN TAXPAYERS (YOU) ARE NOW ON THE HOOK FOR $36,214,475,432,210

Still, the bill contains several provisions that will benefit American workers and everyday households. FOX Business explains how your money may be affected. 

NO TAX ON TIPS

Hardworking Americans won’t have to pay taxes on the tips they make. While this is good for service employees, it may mean lost revenue for the government…continue reading here

No tax on tips

A tip jar on the counter at a coffee shop. (iStock / iStock)

401(k) FOR BABIES & CHILD TAX CREDITS

Typically, you start a 401(k) when you begin working, getting matched contributions from your employer. The bill may expand similar investment vehicles to newborns and other child tax credits…continue reading here.

trump tax bill, child tax credit

Little girl sleeping (iStock / iStock)

SALT

High-tax blue states, such as New York, likely secured a win with a big bump for SALT, a deduction for state and local taxes, previously capped at $10,000…continue reading here

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SALT deduction to rise

The Midtown Manhattan skyline in New York City April 8, 2024. (Charly Triballeau/AFP via Getty Images / Getty Images)

AUTO LOANS INTEREST FREE  

If you own or buy a car made in the U.S. using an auto loan, the interest is on track to be eligible for a deduction…continue reading here.

no tax on auto loan interest

Vehicles for sale at an AutoNation Honda dealership in Fremont, Calif., June 24, 2024. (David Paul Morris/Bloomberg via Getty Images / Getty Images)

MEDICAID SAFE? 

Trump made it clear the Medicaid program, which provides basically free health insurance to Americans who meet income requirements, won’t be gutted. Not everyone is convinced…continue reading here

Medicaid changes, Trump tax bill

FOOD STAMPS

Changes to food stamps and nutrition assistance, formerly known as SNAP, or the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, are part of the tax bill. Here’s what may change…continue reading here

"SNAP/EBT Food Stamp Benefits Accepted" is displayed on a screen

A SNAP sign is displayed on a screen inside a Family Dollar store in Chicago March 3, 2020. (Daniel Acker/Bloomberg via Getty Images / Getty Images)

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Stocks making the biggest moves midday: AAPL, ROST, INTU, BAH

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Finance

Goolsbee says Fed now has to wait longer before moving rates because of trade policy uncertainty

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Chicago Fed President Goolsbee: Bar is higher for Fed action as we await clarity on trade policy

Chicago Federal Reserve President Austan Goolsbee said Friday that President Donald Trump’s latest tariff threats have complicated policy and likely put off changes to interest rates.

In a CNBC interview, the central bank official indicated that while he still sees the direction of rates being lower, the Fed likely will be on hold as it evaluates the ever-changing trade policy and how it impacts inflation and employment.

“Everything’s always on the table. But I feel like the bar for me is a little higher for action in any direction while we’re waiting to get some clarity,” Goolsbee said on “Squawk Box” when asked about Trump’s new actions Friday morning. “Over the longer run, if they’re putting in place tariffs that have a stagflationary impact … then that’s the central bank’s worst situation.”

“So I think we’ll have to see how big the impacts on prices are,” he added. “I know people hate inflation.”

Goolsbee spoke as Trump jolted markets again with a call for 50% tariffs on products from the European Union starting June 1 while indicating Apple will have to pay a 25% tariff on iPhones not made in the U.S. Apple mostly makes its coveted smartphones in China, though there is some production in India as well.

While the impact of a costlier iPhone likely wouldn’t mean much from a larger economic perspective, the saber-ratting underscores the volatility of trade policy and provides another flash point for a market already unnerved by worries about fiscal policy that have sent bond yields sharply higher.

Central bankers are generally careful not to wade into issues of fiscal and trade policy, but are left to analyze their repercussions.

Goolsbee said he is still optimistic that the longer-run trajectory is towards solid economic growth before Trump’s April 2 tariff announcement that rattled markets.

“I’m still underneath hopeful that we can get back to that environment, and 10 to 16 months from now, rates could be a fair bit below where they are today,” he said.

Goolsbee is a voting member this year on the rate-setting Federal Open Market Committee, which next meets June 17-18. At the meeting, officials will get a chance to update their economic and interest rate projections. The last update, in March, saw the committee indicating two rate cuts this year.

Markets expect the Fed will cut twice this year, with the next move not happening until September. Goolsbee did not commit to a course of action from here amid the uncertainty.

“I don’t like even mildly tying our hands at the next meeting, much less over six, eight, 10 meetings from now,” he said. “That said, as we went into April 2, I believe that we’re at pretty stable full employment, that inflation was on a path back to 2% and if we could do those I thought that over the next 12 to 18 months, rates could come down a fair amount.”

The Fed’s benchmark overnight borrowing rate is targeted between 4.25%-4.5%, where it has been since December. The actual rate most recently traded at 4.33%.

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