Get All Access for $5/mo

Why Americans' Efforts to Save Still Don't Add Up (Infographic) While most people have some savings, 40 percent of Americans are not prepared for major life events like retirement.

By Kathleen Davis

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

The good news: Most Americans have a savings account. The bad news: It's not enough.

According to data compiled by independent research firm Next Advisor, 25 percent of U.S. families reported having no savings at all in 2012, and 40 percent say that they are not saving for retirement.

The average household debt in the U.S. is about $117,000, according to the findings, while the average savings account balance for those who are managing to save is $3,800. What's more, it's difficult for that savings to grow, since the average annual percentage yield for savings accounts is a paltry 0.01 percent.

For more stats on U.S. savings take a look at the infographic below.

Click to Enlarge+

Why Americans' Efforts to Save Still Don't Add Up (Infographic)

Kathleen Davis is the former associate editor at Entrepreneur.com.

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Side Hustle

The Side Hustle He Started in His College Apartment Turned Into a $70,000-a-Month Income Stream — Then Earned Nearly $2 Million Last Year

Kyle Morrand and his college roommates loved playing retro video games — and the pastime would help launch his career.

Marketing

5 SEO Hacks to Help You Rank Fast

Discover the best SEO hacks you can use to rank fast and avoid waiting for months to see results.

Starting a Business

Inside the Exclusive Private Club Devoted to Food, Wine and the Arts

Barrett Wissman breaks down the passions and partnerships behind his latest venture Domus Artium Reserve.

Business News

Elon Musk Threatens to Ban Employees from Using Apple Products, Says Will Lock Devices in 'Cages'

The Tesla founder sounded off on X following Apple's 2024 Worldwide Developer Conference on Monday.

Collaboration

Watch Out for These 5 Consequences of Too Much Collaboration

Beware of the collaboration trap! Too much collaboration causes overload, and well-intentioned efforts to have broad collaboration can backfire.

Science & Technology

Why We Shouldn't Fear AI in Education (and How to Use It Effectively)

Facing resistance to new technologies in the educational process is nothing new, and AI is no exception. Yet, this powerful tool is set to overcome these challenges and revolutionize education, preparing students and professionals for a future of unparalleled efficiency and personalized learning.