Overview

• Financial educator Simran Kaur outlines checkpoints: 1–6 months of expenses in your 20s, one times salary in your 30s, three times in your 40s, six times in your 50s, and eight times in your 60s to retire around 67.
• Equifax cites an eight-times-salary goal by 60, while Fidelity recommends ten times by 67 with roughly a 15% annual savings rate from age 25 and a portfolio with more than half in stocks.
• Advisor Kyle Chapman illustrates compounding power, noting $10,000 plus $200 per month at 8% grows to over $171,000 in 30 years and more than $404,000 in 40 years.
• Planners emphasize using workplace plans and matches, with reporting that the 2025 401(k) employee contribution limit for those under 50 is $23,500, and alternatives include IRAs, Roth IRAs and brokerage accounts.
• Experts urge practical steps such as paying off high-interest debt, curbing lifestyle creep and maximizing tax-advantaged saving, while some advisors warn many younger households may be underprepared and could need $5 million to $7 million by 65.