The $1 Million Retirement Income Gap: Why Most Americans Will Run Out of Money (And 3 Ways to Fix It Before 2026)

Bob Lampkin
Sep 22
3 min read

The sobering reality: If you're earning $120,000 annually, you'll need between $90,000-$102,000 per year in retirement to maintain your lifestyle. But the median retirement income in America is only $47,000 annually - leaving most people facing a potential $1 million shortfall over a 20-year retirement.1

The Math of the Retirement Income Gap That Should Keep You Awake at Night

Let's be brutally honest about what retirement actually costs in 2025. The average monthly retirement income most Americans have saved is around $3,900 per month, while experts recommend 75-85% of your pre-retirement income.

If you're like most middle-class Americans earning between $80,000-$150,000, you're staring down a retirement income gap that could exceed $1 million over your lifetime.

Here's the breakdown:

What you need: $6,000-$8,500/month in retirement
What you'll likely have: $3,900/month
The gap: $2,100-$4,600 EVERY MONTH for 20+ years

That's potentially $50,000-$110,000 you'll be short EVERY YEAR of retirement.

Why This Crisis is Accelerating

With 57% of working Americans already behind on retirement savings, and inflation continuing to erode purchasing power, the retirement crisis is reaching a tipping point. Add in longer lifespans and the uncertainty around Social Security's future, and we're looking at a generation that may never truly retire.

But here's what the financial media isn't telling you:

There's still time to close this gap - if you act decisively in the next 12-18 months.

3 Strategies to Bridge Your Million-Dollar Gap

Strategy #1: Maximize the New 2025 Catch-Up Rules

If you're turning 60-63 in 2025, SECURE Act 2.0 allows you to contribute an extra $11,250 (not just $7,500) to retirement accounts. Over just 4 years, this extra $3,750 annually could grow to over $200,000 by retirement.

Strategy #2: Strategic Roth Conversions During Market Volatility

Market downturns create "discount" opportunities for Roth conversions, allowing you to pay taxes on temporarily depressed account values while positioning for decades of tax-free growth. This strategy can add $300,000+ to your retirement income over 20 years.

Strategy #3: Biblical Stewardship Approach to Wealth Building

What if your investment strategy aligned with your values while still pursuing aggressive growth? By combining sophisticated investment management with biblical stewardship principles, you can build wealth that serves both your retirement security and kingdom purposes - often with better long-term results than purely secular approaches.

The Window is Closing

With the Federal Reserve's recent rate cuts and ongoing market volatility, the investment landscape for retirement planning is shifting rapidly. The strategies that work today may not be available in 2026.

The brutal truth: Every month you delay costs you approximately $8,000-$12,000 in potential retirement income.

Your Next Step

If you're staring at this retirement income gap and feeling overwhelmed, you're not alone. But you also can't afford to wait until "someday" to address it.

The question isn't whether you can afford to work with a financial advisor who understands both sophisticated wealth-building strategies and biblical stewardship principles.

The question is: Can you afford NOT to?

Ready to close your retirement gap? Let's have a 30-minute conversation about your specific situation and create a personalized plan to bridge that million-dollar shortfall.

[Schedule Your Complimentary Retirement Gap Analysis]

Schedule Now

During this brief consultation, we'll:

Calculate your exact retirement income gap
Identify the 2-3 highest-impact strategies for your situation
Show you how biblical stewardship can accelerate (not hinder) your wealth building

Don't let another month slip by. Your future self is counting on the decision you make today.

Bob Lampkin combines Wall Street expertise (Morgan Stanley, Merrill Lynch) with biblical stewardship principles to help families build wealth that honors God while securing their financial future. With over a decade of experience, Bob understands both the sophisticated strategies needed to close retirement gaps and the biblical principles that guide lasting financial peace.

Call 1-888-874-8128 or schedule online to claim your spot.