States where retiree incomes are skimpiest
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Older Americans in most parts of the country are struggling to afford retirement. A widely accepted rule of thumb is that seniors need at least 70% of their pre-retirement income to live comfortably after their working years, but a Bankrate analysis of median income data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey finds that only retirees in Hawaii, Alaska and South Carolina are reaching that goal.
These states were lowest for income replacement in retirement, counting down to the state ranked last.
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New York
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Income replaced in retirement: 56.05%
Median income:
- After retirement age: $39,278
- Before retirement: $70,076
Source: U.S. Census Bureau 2014 American Community Survey (the most recent)
Rhode Island
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Income replaced in retirement: 55.77%
Median income:
- After retirement age: $38,391
- Before retirement: $68,843
Wisconsin
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Income replaced in retirement: 55.75%
Median income:
- After retirement age: $36,606
- Before retirement: $65,665
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Pennsylvania
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Income replaced in retirement: 55.32%
Median income:
- After retirement age: $36,415
- Before retirement: $65,822
New Hampshire
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Income replaced in retirement: 54.34%
Median income:
- After retirement age: $43,069
- Before retirement: $79,256
Connecticut
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Income replaced in retirement: 53.33%
Median income:
- After retirement age: $46,216
- Before retirement: $86,666
Minnesota
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Income replaced in retirement: 53.03%
Median income:
- After retirement age: $40,041
- Before retirement: $75,500
New Jersey
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Income replaced in retirement: 51.95%
Median income:
- After retirement age: $46,170
- Before retirement: $88,866
North Dakota
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Income replaced in retirement: 48.99%
Median income:
- After retirement age: $37,196
- Before retirement: $75,931
Massachusetts
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Income replaced in retirement: 48.22%
Median income:
- After retirement age: $41,489
- Before retirement: $86,036
