Age-based savings benchmarks turn a vague worry into a quick gut-check: roughly how much should someone your age have put away? They’re rules of thumb, not destiny — but they’re a useful mile-marker, and this tool pairs them with a projection of what your actual pace becomes by retirement.
The headline above leads with your projected nest egg at retirement, so you can see not just where you stand today but where your current saving is heading.
The common benchmarks
A widely cited set of multiples (popularized by Fidelity) suggests having about 1× your annual salary saved by 30, 3× by 40, 6× by 50, 8× by 60, and 10× by 67. So someone earning $70,000 might aim for roughly $70,000 by 30 and around $700,000 by 67.
These multiples bake in assumptions about saving rate, returns, and Social Security. They’re a starting reference, not a personalized target — which is exactly why it’s worth projecting your own numbers rather than stopping at the benchmark.
Why your real target may differ
The benchmarks assume an average lifestyle and a typical Social Security benefit. If you plan to spend more, retire earlier, or expect less guaranteed income, your target is higher; if you’ll spend modestly with a solid pension, it’s lower. The calculator adjusts to your inputs instead of a one-size-fits-all multiple.
They also can’t see your trajectory. Being “behind” at 35 matters far less than the rate you’re saving now, because decades of compounding do the heavy lifting. The projection above shows where your current pace lands.
Catching up if you’re behind
If you’re under the benchmark for your age, focus on the levers that compound: increase your contribution rate, claim the full employer match, and consider an automatic annual bump so your saving rises with your income without you noticing.
Catch-up contributions also help — once you’re 50, the IRS lets you put extra into 401(k)s and IRAs each year. Small, consistent increases now beat a heroic effort later, because every year earlier is another year of growth.
Frequently asked questions
How much should I have saved for retirement by 30?
A common benchmark is about 1× your annual salary saved by age 30. On a $60,000 salary that’s roughly $60,000 — but it’s a guideline, and your saving rate from here matters far more than hitting it exactly.
How much should I have saved by 40, 50, and 60?
Widely cited multiples are about 3× salary by 40, 6× by 50, and 8× by 60, reaching 10× by 67. They assume average spending and Social Security; your real target depends on your plan.
What if I’m behind for my age?
Raise your contribution rate, capture every dollar of employer match, and use catch-up contributions after 50. Because compounding rewards time, increasing your pace now has an outsized effect on the final number.
Are these benchmarks accurate for everyone?
No — they’re averages. People who spend more or retire earlier need more; those with pensions or modest spending need less. Use the projection above to find your own target instead of relying on a multiple.