Alistair Berg / Getty Images Not all Americans nearing retirement age have savings accounts, and balances vary widely among those who do. Key Takeaways Just 57% of Americans in their mid-50s to mid-60s have a retirement account, a participation rate that is near a 30-year low. Among households with at least one retirement account, the median balance for this age group was $185,000. Retirement readiness varies widely at this stage, shaped by housing wealth, access to workplace plans, and exposure to m ...