The trend over time.
The latest available read: Personal Savings Rate is at 4.1% as of August 2026. Source: FRED · PSAVERT. CSV and PNG downloads cover the selected date range.
What Personal Savings Rate measures.
Personal saving as a percentage of disposable personal income, from the BEA.
A higher rate means households are putting more aside, which can mean caution or a cushion, and it holds back spending in the near term. A falling rate means people are spending more of each dollar earned. The series is subject to large revisions.
Why it matters.
A weak savings rate means less financial cushion for emergencies and retirement, which can force you to rely on credit or debt when things go wrong. It also signals how confident consumers feel about their jobs and finances, which ripples through the broader economy and affects everything from interest rates to job growth.
Where it fits.
Personal Savings Rate is covered on the Consumer page.