CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — A recent survey reveals that nearly 60% of working Americans feel they are not on track with their retirement savings. But is this situation the same in Illinois?

Sharon Allen, CEO of Sterling Wealth Management in Champaign, assists clients with planning for retirement. She notes that individuals typically spend similar amounts in retirement as during their working years, which can cause concern when income ceases. Allen also suggests that regional attitudes in the Midwest might influence this trend.

“There are more people with a higher relative wealth, meaning that they spend less and how much they have saved,” said Allen. “So then they feel wealthier. And, and I think that that is, a little bit unique to our community, to our area of the country.”

Allen offered a few tips for those lagging in retirement savings: monitor monthly expenses, establish an emergency fund, and begin saving money irrespective of the amount.