Most folks aren’t setting aside enough for retirement, and chances are, they know it. But saving more money isn’t always realistic. Making smarter moves with what you’ve already got? That’s where the opportunity lies.
A comfortable retirement isn’t getting any cheaper. While the average person thinks they’ll need over $1.2 million to retire well, the reality is far from that. The typical American retirement account, according to recent numbers, holds less than $90,000. That’s not even a tenth of what many believe they’ll need.
The Retirement Gap Keeps Growing
By the end of 2023, the median U.S. retirement account stood at just $87,000. It’s not enough. Not even close. Compare that to the $1.26 million figure cited in Northwestern Mutual’s 2024 survey — that’s how much Americans say they’ll need for a “comfortable” retirement.
That $1.2 million isn’t a made-up number either. Inflation, longer life expectancies, and rising health costs make it pretty realistic.
But let’s be honest: most people can’t just flip a switch and save more. Between rent, childcare, insurance, groceries, gas — it’s a squeeze.
So what’s the alternative?
Simple: make your money work harder. Focus on getting better returns out of what you’re already able to invest. And that starts with picking stocks that actually have staying power, not just hype.
Three Long-Term Growth Picks with Staying Power
For folks looking to grow their retirement savings steadily over decades — not chase overnight riches — here are three names worth keeping on the radar.
Microsoft Isn’t Flashy Anymore — And That’s the Point
Microsoft’s glory days of explosive growth might be over, sure. But that doesn’t mean it’s slowed down.
In fact, fiscal 2025 revenue is up nearly 14% so far. Not bad for a company that’s been around longer than Google has existed.
The real juice? Azure — Microsoft’s cloud platform. It’s been quietly eating into Amazon’s AWS dominance. Synergy Research says Microsoft is steadily gaining market share and picking it up straight from Amazon’s plate.
And don’t forget this bit:
Straits Research expects cloud computing to grow at 19% annually in the coming years
It’s not just the cloud, either. Office software, Windows, Xbox — all still cash cows. And perhaps more importantly, they’re sticky. People don’t like switching from what works. That inertia is gold for Microsoft.
A New Face in Finance: SoFi’s Rise Isn’t Just Hype
SoFi Technologies has become the go-to for Gen Z and millennials who treat banking the way they treat shopping — online, fast, and on their phone.
Younger consumers, according to the American Bankers Association, overwhelmingly prefer mobile apps to deal with money. Walk into a branch? Nope. Not happening.
SoFi knew this. That’s why they ditched the old-school banking playbook and built everything digital from day one. The results? Well, they kind of speak for themselves.
The company had fewer than 1.1 million users in 2020 — now it has nearly 11 million.
Each customer is doing more with SoFi too. Loans, investing, cards, even mortgages.
And SoFi’s not just a trendy app either. It’s a legit bank now, with a growing product suite and a loyal (and young) user base. Traditional banks can play catch-up, but they’ve got a lot of baggage.
Here’s what SoFi has going for it:
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It’s mobile-first, making it a natural fit for digital-native customers
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It’s grown user count every single quarter for 5 years
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Customers aren’t just signing up — they’re sticking around and using more services
You want compounding? Start with a financial company built for 2030, not 1990.
Berkshire Hathaway: The Grown-Up in the Room
Warren Buffett may be stepping down, but Berkshire Hathaway isn’t going anywhere.
And here’s the kicker: even without him at the helm, Berkshire’s strategy is built to last. His stock-picking DNA is embedded in how the company runs — conservative, calculated, long-term.
But what really sets Berkshire apart? It’s more than just a stock portfolio.
Let’s break it down in this table:
| Asset Category | Approx. Share of Total Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Public Stock Holdings | ~33% | Includes Apple, Coca-Cola, etc. |
| Cash Holdings | ~33% | Almost $300 billion |
| Owned Businesses | ~33% | Geico, BNSF, Dairy Queen, Duracell |
And while mutual funds are often handcuffed to certain sectors or mandates, Berkshire has the flexibility to invest in whatever makes sense — even private businesses most funds can’t touch.
It’s a fortress with flexibility. That’s not something you get every day.
You Don’t Need to Save More. You Need to Save Smarter.
Most people won’t double their savings overnight. But they can change how they invest what they do save.
Microsoft offers durability. SoFi offers future relevance. Berkshire offers built-in discipline and diversification.
None of them will make you rich by next Thursday — and that’s the point. They’re boring in the best possible way. If your retirement plan feels out of reach, making smarter, longer-term bets could make all the difference down the road.
