Key numbers to consider as you ponder crucial goals
Below you’ll find key numbers to consider as you ponder crucial goals like saving enough for retirement and college expenses, amounts to give to charities, and planning for changes in your estate. Keep in mind that, while averages are interesting, your individual situation may differ. As you think about goals such as how to save for your children’s college costs and considerations for this year’s tax bill, please consult a Citi Personal Wealth Management Wealth Advisor, who can coordinate financial planning strategies with your tax advisor.
| Item | Expense ($) in dollar amount |
|---|---|
| Raising a child through age 17 | $310,605 |
| Public university for four years | $103,400 |
| Private college for four years | $243,680 |
| Emergency fund | Six months of living expenses |
| Home | $415,200 |
| Retirement | 30-plus years of living expenses |
| Medical costs in retirement | $172,500 |
| Annual nursing-home costs | $131,583 |
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This table shows the average cost of living for raising children, paying for
education, home ownership, retirement, medical expenses, and nursing home costs
in the United States.
| Item | % of U.S. Population |
|---|---|
| Retirement Accounts | 40% |
| Their Own Home | 66% |
| A Residence That Isn't Their Main Home | 13% |
| A Car Or Other Vehicle | 90% |
| Some Form Of Debt | 80% |
| A Credit-Card balance | 44% |
| Mortgages And Other Home-Secured Debt | 47% |
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This table indicates the percentages of U.S. families who have retirement accounts, own their own homes and vehicles, have debt with credit card balances, mortgages or other home-secured debt.
Please note: With the “Cost of Living” and “Family Financial Snapshot” sections, some data is based on studies and surveys conducted prior to 2025, where updated versions of the studies and surveys were not available.
| 2025 | 2026 | |
|---|---|---|
| Earnings subject to Social Security payroll tax: | $176,100 | $184,500 |
|
Maximum federal income-tax rate of 37% if income above: |
$751,600 if married filing jointly $626,350 if single |
$768,700 if married filing jointly $640,600 if single |
|
3.8% Medicare surtax applies to net investment income if total income above: |
$250,000 if married filing jointly $200,000 if single |
$250,000 if married filing jointly $200,000 if single |
| Standard deduction:1 |
$31,500 if married filing jointly $15,750 if single |
$32,200 if married filing jointly $16,100 if single |
| Gift tax exclusion: | $19,000 | $19,000 |
| Estate tax exclusion: | $13.99 million | $15.0 million |
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This table compares some key U.S. Federal Income Tax numbers between 2025 and 2026, from payroll taxes and income tax rates to gift and estate tax exclusions.
1 Please speak with your tax advisor regarding itemized deductions.
| 2025 | 2026 | |
|---|---|---|
| Traditional and Roth IRA contribution limit.1 | $7,000 ($8,000 if age 50 or older) | $7,500 ($8,600 if age 50 or older) |
| If covered by retirement plan at work, traditional IRA deduction phases out at: |
$126,000 to $146,000 if married filing jointly $79,000 to $89,000 if single |
$129,000 to $149,000 if married filing
jointly $81,000 to $91,000 if single |
| If spouse covered by retirement plan but you aren't, your IRA deduction phases out at: | $236,000 to $246,000 in joint income | $242,000 to $252,000 in joint income |
| Eligibility to fund a Roth IRA phases out at these incomes: |
$236,000 to $246,000 if married filing
jointly $150,000 to $165,000 if single |
$242,000 to $252,000 if married filing
jointly $153,000 to $168,000 if single |
| 401(k) contribution limit:2 | $23,500 ($31,000 if age 50 or older) | $24,500 ($32,500 if age 50 or older) |
| SIMPLE IRA contribution limit:2 | $16,500 ($20,000 if age 50 or older) | $17,000 ($21,000 if age 50 or older) |
| SEP IRA contribution limit:3 | 25% of employee annual compensation, up to $70,000 | 25% of employee annual compensation, up to $72,000 |
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This table compares retirement related U.S. federal income tax numbers between 2025 and 2026, from IRA contribution limits to deduction phaseout dollar amounts based upon various scenarios.
1 There are no income eligibility limits for contributions to a Traditional IRA. But if you or your spouse are covered by a workplace retirement plan, income limits apply for deducting annual contributions. With a Roth IRA, various income eligibility limits apply. Note that earned income is generally required in order to contribute to an IRA. Please see the IRS website for current information: irs.gov/retirement-plans/traditional-and-roth-iras.
2 A higher 401(k) catch-up contribution limit at $11,250 applies for employees aged 60 through 63. SIMPLE IRA contribution limits may vary for those age 50 or older.
3 The employer makes contributions to a SEP IRA for employees. Contribution limits listed in the table are for the employer. Employee contributions are not permitted.
| 2025 | 2026 | |
|---|---|---|
| UGMA/UTMA account: | Up to $19,000 without worrying about gift tax1 | Up to $19,000 without worrying about gift tax1 |
| Kiddie tax on unearned income: | First $1,350 covered by child’s exemption2 | First $1,350 covered by child’s exemption2 |
| 529 college savings plans: | Can contribute $95,0003 and count it as your gift for next five years ($190,000 per married couple) | Can contribute $95,0003 and count it as your gift for next five years ($190,000 per married couple) |
| Coverdell education savings account: | $2,000 maximum contribution | $2,000 maximum contribution |
| Eligibility to contribute phases out at these incomes |
$190,000 to $220,000 if married filing jointly $95,000 to $110,000 if single |
$190,000 to $220,000 if married filing jointly $95,000 to $110,000 if single |
| Hope Scholarship/American Opportunity Credit: | $2,500 maximum per student | $2,500 maximum per student |
| Phases out at these incomes: |
Phaseout begins at $160,000 if married filing jointly Phaseout begins at $80,000 if single |
Phaseout begins at $160,000 if married filing jointly Phaseout begins at $80,000 if single |
| Lifetime Learning Credit: | $2,000 maximum | $2,000 maximum |
| Phases out at these incomes: |
Phaseout begins at $160,000 if married
filing jointly Phaseout begins at $80,000 if single |
Phaseout begins at $160,000 if married
filing jointly
Phaseout begins at $80,000 if single |
| Education loan interest deduction: | $2,500 maximum | $2,500 maximum |
| Phases out at these incomes: |
$170,000 to $200,000 if married filing jointly $85,000 to $100,000 if single |
$175,000 to $205,000 if married filing jointly $85,000 to $100,000 if single |
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This table compares college expense related U.S. Federal Income Tax numbers between 2025 and 2026, from UGMA/UTMA accounts, 529 plans and Coverdell savings accounts to Lifetime Learning Credits and education loan interest deductions.
1 There is no limit but annual gifts to any one recipient above $19,000 in 2025 and 2026 a year typically require a gift tax return to be filed with the IRS. Any amount in excess of $19,000 in a year must be counted toward the individual’s lifetime gift–tax exclusion limits referenced above.
2 In 2025 and 2026 the next $1,350 is taxed at the child’s marginal tax rate. All amounts above $2,700 are taxed at the parents’ marginal tax rate.
3 Five times annual gift-tax exclusion. Consult a tax advisor for important considerations regarding the five times annual gift-tax exclusion.