The retirement planning guide delivers age-specific priorities, savings benchmarks, and actionable next steps for wherever you are in your career — from your 20s to your 60s.
Your Retirement Priorities
Savings Benchmarks by Age (Fidelity Guidelines)
| Age | Target | On $75K salary |
|---|---|---|
| 30 | 1× salary | $75,000 |
| 35 | 2× salary | $150,000 |
| 40 | 3× salary | $225,000 |
| 45 | 4× salary | $300,000 |
| 50 | 6× salary | $450,000 |
| 55 | 7× salary | $525,000 |
| 60 | 8× salary | $600,000 |
| 67 | 10× salary | $750,000 |
How to Plan for Retirement at Any Age
The retirement planning guide provides decade-specific priorities because the right moves at 25 are completely different from the right moves at 55.
The Account Priority Order
For most people: (1) Contribute to 401K up to employer match — this is a 50-100% instant return. (2) Max out HSA if on an HDHP — triple tax advantage. (3) Max Roth IRA ($7,000/year in 2026). (4) Back to 401K maximum ($23,500/year). (5) Taxable brokerage for anything beyond that. This order maximizes tax efficiency.
The Compounding Reality
$500/month invested starting at 25, earning 7% annually, grows to $1.37M by 65. The same $500/month starting at 35 grows to only $607,000. Starting 10 years later costs you $760,000 in final value — and the person who started later contributed $60,000 more in actual contributions. Time is the most valuable input in retirement planning.
FAQ
Is this retirement planning guide free?
Yes, completely free with no signup required.
How much should I have saved for retirement by age?
Fidelity's benchmarks: 1x salary by 30, 3x by 40, 6x by 50, 8x by 60, 10x by 67. These assume 15% savings rate, retiring at 67, and maintaining pre-retirement lifestyle. These are guidelines, not rules — your numbers depend on when you want to retire and your expected expenses.
Is it too late to start saving for retirement at 50?
No. People who start at 50 with zero savings can still accumulate significant retirement funds, especially if they maximize catch-up contributions ($7,500 extra for 401K, $1,000 extra for IRA in 2026). At 50, you have 15+ working years and compound interest still works meaningfully. Delay Social Security to 70 for maximum benefits.
What is the 4% withdrawal rule?
The 4% rule suggests you can withdraw 4% of your portfolio in year 1 of retirement, adjusting for inflation annually, with a high probability of not running out of money over 30 years. On a $1M portfolio, that is $40,000/year. This rule was developed for 1994 conditions and some financial planners now suggest 3-3.5% for longer retirements.
When should I claim Social Security?
Benefits increase approximately 8% per year between age 62 (reduced benefits) and 70 (maximum benefits). If you have other income in retirement, delaying to 70 is often optimal. If health concerns suggest a shorter life expectancy, claiming earlier may make sense. The breakeven point for delaying from 62 to 70 is typically around age 78-80.