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Most Americans Struggle to Save
29 Nov, 2025
Summary
- 34% of Americans save none of their paycheck.
- 18% of Americans have nothing saved.
- Gen X is most likely to save nothing from paychecks.
The rising cost of living is significantly impacting Americans' ability to save, with many facing financial stress. A substantial 34% of the population contributes nothing from their paychecks to savings, often due to living paycheck to paycheck. Adding to this concern, 18% of Americans report having no savings whatsoever.
Analysis reveals specific generational struggles, notably among Gen X. A considerable 42% of those aged 45 to 54 indicate they live paycheck to paycheck, leaving no room for savings. This contrasts with younger generations like Gen Z, where a portion shows a higher propensity to save significant percentages of their income.
Experts generally recommend having three to six months of living expenses in an emergency fund. However, the survey data indicates that only about a quarter of Americans have $2,000 or more in savings, highlighting a widespread deficit in emergency preparedness.
