Retirement savings by age: where should you be?
Benchmarks are useful for a reality check and useless as a plan. Use the multiples below to see roughly where you sit, then use the calculator to see where your current contributions actually lead.
Compare top retirement accounts
We explain exactly what to compare before you open anything - costs, protection and the traps.
The usual multiples
A widely used guide suggests roughly one times your salary saved by 30, three times by 40, six times by 50, eight times by 60 and ten times by 67. They assume steady contributions and a diversified portfolio.
Treat them as a thermometer, not a diagnosis. Someone who will retire mortgage-free in a low-cost area needs far less than someone who will not, at exactly the same salary.
Trajectory beats position
Being behind at 35 with a strong contribution rate is a better position than being ahead at 35 with nothing going in, because compounding is driven by the ongoing flow, not the current balance.
The projection on this page tells you where the current trajectory ends, which is the only benchmark that matters for your own plan.
Frequently asked questions
I am 40 with nothing saved. Is it too late?
No, but the monthly figure is larger and the runway matters. Run the calculator with a retirement age of 65 and again at 68 to see how much the extra years help.
Do these benchmarks include employer contributions?
Yes - they refer to the total balance in retirement accounts, whoever paid it in.
Should I count home equity?
Only if you genuinely intend to sell or borrow against it. A home you plan to live in does not pay the grocery bill.
How often should I recheck?
Once a year is enough. Contributions and spending move far more than markets do over a single year.
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