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Key Points Tony Robbins warns that Social Security alone won't ensure a comfortable retirement. He advocates for early, diversified, and formula-based retirement planning to achieve financial security. Many Americans lack adequate retirement savings; Robbins offers tips for financial education and proactive action to help them achieve their goals. As American workers approach retirement, many are understandably nervous about many things, but it’s worth noting these two: The future of Social Security and whether it will be healthy enough to deliver the expected amount of money in their monthly paychecks for which they are planning. Whether they have saved enough in retirement accounts such as 401(k)s and IRAs to make up for the relatively small income benefits that Social Security provides. Finance author, entrepreneur and motivational speaker Tony Robbins has urged Americans to reconsider their retirement strategies, warning that Social Security may not be sufficient to support them in later life. He emphasizes the importance of financial education, early planning, and diversified income sources to ensure long-term financial security. Robbins points to the widespread lack of retirement savings among older Americans as an indicator of a looming crisis. He advocates for a proactive approach to retirement planning that involves doing some financial math years in advance and does not depend solely on government programs. “You can’t reach your financial dreams unless you know precisely how much it will take to get there,” he wrote. Social Security may face benefit reductions The Social Security Administration (SSA) projects that its trust fund could be exhausted by 2033. If no changes are made to the system (which would require congressional action), benefits may be reduced by about 20%, leaving retirees with only around 80% of their expected payments. Robbins notes that Social Security was never intended to be the sole source of retirement income, but rather a supplement to personal savings and investments. He warns that many Americans mistakenly assume Social Security will fully cover their retirement needs. Robbins argues that this assumption creates a false sense of security and discourages individuals from taking necessary steps to build independent financial resources. “Social Security was never intended to become a replacement for retirement savings, especially considering the extended length of retirement we can anticipate with longer lifespans,” he wrote. Tony Robbins says Americans’ retirement savings are low Robbins draws attention to the fact that an uncomfortably large number of Americans have no retirement savings. He attributes this to a lack of financial education and planning, as well as economic pressures such as inflation and rising costs of living. He believes that many people underestimate how much money they will need in retirement and fail to prepare adequately. A 2025 Employee Benefit Research Institute Retirement Confidence Survey found that a small fraction of Americans are “very confident” about their retirement planning. “One in four Americans feel very confident about their ability to have enough money to live comfortably throughout their retirement years,” the survey reported. “Workers who say debt is a problem are, not surprisingly, less confident, while those who have a retirement plan are more confident.” Tony Robbins’ formula for retirement savings planning To help individuals estimate their retirement needs, Robbins offers a simple formula: To estimate how much you need for retirement, multiply your desired yearly income by 20 (the average number of years one lives in retirement). For instance, if you aim to receive $75,000 annually during retirement, you should plan to save $1.5 million. This approach is based on the assumption that your investments will yield a 5% return each year. The goal of this method is to ensure a steady and lasting income throughout your retirement years. Robbins emphasizes that this calculation serves as a general guideline, not a one-size-fits-all solution. He advises individuals to tailor their retirement savings targets according to their personal circumstances, such as lifestyle choices and health needs. Robbins’ encourages early retirement planning Robbins underscores the importance of starting retirement planning as early as possible. He notes that compound interest rewards those who begin saving in their 20s and 30s, but adds that it is never too late to take action. He advises individuals of all ages to assess their financial situation, set clear goals, and develop a strategy to reach them. He believes that retirement should be viewed not as an endpoint, but as a phase of life that requires preparation and flexibility. Robbins encourages people to think creatively about how they can generate income and maintain their lifestyle in retirement. Retirement Dave Ramsey sends blunt warning to Americans on Medicare Medicare's Annual Enrollment period is here. Find out when it ends and major mistakes to avoid. Jeffrey Quiggle About the author Jeffrey Quiggle is an editor and reporter for TheStreet with 30 years of experience in digital media. He writes about personal finance, real estate, retirement savings, 401(k)s, Social Security, Medicare, investing, business and airlines. Previously, he had various journalism and content roles at Microsoft's Bing, Windows and MSN, at The American Prospect magazine and at Harvard University.
