[Hannan]

It seems like there's way more on the low side than the high side, at least looking at Table 1 (below) from this PDF from the GAO:

https://www.gao.gov/assets/680/670153.pdf

Edit: below, the table contents

               Households age 55-64 with        Households age 55-64
               no retirement savings            with retirement savings


  Percent of house-        41%                        59%
  holds age 55-64

  Median net worth        $21,000                   $337,000

  Median non-retirement    $1,000                    $25,000
  financial resources

  Median income           $26,000                    $86,000

  Home ownership rates     56%                        87%  

  Percent who own a home   22%                        27%
  that is paid off

  Percent with a           32%                        45%
  defined benefit plan

[user5994461]

So, that's 25% of people having no rent to pay.

Then an additional 50% who have a home but still a mortgage to pay. The statistics don't say when mortgages will end, so we can't do any meaningful analysis on the majority.

There are more people on the low side, not WAY MORE contrary to your statement.

[bluGill]

Too bad we don't know when they will pay off. A friend of mine just bought a house for $250k from someone who bought it in 1998 for $70k - 6 months before selling they refinanced for $225k. (this is all public information if you go to the right courthouse - he knows this because it is in the title).

Which is to say there are some people who don't have their house paid off yet, but will have it paid off before they retire, and then live rent free (but with other bills and taxes). There are other people who will not have anything paid off.

[talmand]

So, um, where you live once you pay off your house everything else is free and you no longer require an income?