1. Still guessing — and still underestimating.

In 2017, according to the report, workers estimated they would need a median of $500,000 to see them through retirement.

That’s way less than the median $650,000 they estimated back in 2007. Prices certainly haven’t gone down since then, particularly in health care.

In addition, 49 percent of workers who provided an estimate of their retirement savings needs in 2017 said they “guessed” how much they’d need.

Back in 2007, 51 percent were guessing, so not many have learned to do better.

10. Most companies that don’t offer retirement plans don’t plan to.

Companies not offering a 401(k) or similar type plan in 2017 don’t plan to do so in the near future.

Just 27 percent said they were likely to add a plan in the next two years.

The most frequently cited reasons for not doing so:

• the company is not big enough (58 percent)
• concerns about cost (41 percent)
• a belief that employees are not interested (22 percent)

9. More people know about the Saver’s Credit.

Here's the good news: In 2017, 35 percent of people knew about the Saver’s Credit for eligible taxpayers who meet certain income requirements and are saving for retirement in a qualified retirement plan or IRA.

In 2007, only 23 percent of people knew about it. (All photos: Shutterstock)

8. Once burned…

In 2007, many workers were hands-off in managing their retirement funds -- 50 percent agreed with the statement, “I would prefer to rely on outside experts to monitor and manage my retirement savings plan.”

Eleven percent “strongly” agreed, while 39 percent “somewhat” agreed.

By 2017 that had risen to 57 percent, with 15 percent “strongly” agreeing and 42 percent “somewhat” agreeing.

7. More people are using professional advisors.

Along the same lines as number 8, back in 2007, just 32 percent said they used a professional advisor to manage their retirement savings or investments.

In 2017, that’s increased slightly to 38 percent.

6. More workers want employers to provide retirement information.

Back in 2007, 56 percent of workers agreed with the statement, “I would like to receive more information and advice from my company on how to reach my retirement goals."

Agreeing strongly with that statement were 14 percent of workers and 42 percent agreed "somewhat."

In 2017, even more people want employers to get involved, with 21 percent agreeing strongly and 46 percent saying they “somewhat agree.”

5. Too many people still don’t have a retirement plan.

Yet the more things change, the more they remain the same. That’s because in 2007, while 53 percent of workers said they had a plan to save for retirement, 47 percent of workers said they had none.

In 2017, while 61 percent of people said they have a plan, 39 percent still have none.

4. Plan participation and salary contribution rates are pretty much unchanged.

You might think that people would be putting away more to try to recover lost ground. Indeed, they may be trying, but they’re not succeeding.

In 2007, when 77 percent of workers were offered and participated in a 401(k) or similar plan, they contributed a median of 8 percent of annual pay.

In 2017, 80 percent of those offered a plan participated. That leaves 20 percent possibly marching toward retirement unprepared. Contributions are up a median one percent, to 9 percent.

3. Workers have recovered some confidence, but not much since 2014.

While worker confidence ebbed during the depths of the Great Recession, morale has bounced back somewhat.

Still, in 2014, 64 percent were confident they would be able to retire with a comfortable lifestyle.

In 2017, 61 percent of workers indicated they were confident about that.

2. They’ve saved a lot more in retirement accounts since before the Great Recession.

Household savings in all retirement accounts have dramatically increased since their pre-recession levels, the report finds. In estimated medians:

• Millennials have upped the ante from $9,000 in 2007 to $36,000 in 2017.
• Gen Xers managed to climb from $32,000 to $71,000.
• Boomers from $75,000 to $157,000.

1. Still guessing — and still underestimating.

In 2017, according to the report, workers estimated they would need a median of $500,000 to see them through retirement.

That’s way less than the median $650,000 they estimated back in 2007. Prices certainly haven’t gone down since then, particularly in health care.

In addition, 49 percent of workers who provided an estimate of their retirement savings needs in 2017 said they “guessed” how much they’d need.

Back in 2007, 51 percent were guessing, so not many have learned to do better.