How much should you have saved at your age? This guide provides clear benchmarks for retirement savings, emergency funds, and total net worth — plus how to catch up if you’re behind.
Retirement Savings Benchmarks by Age
The Fidelity Guideline (Multiples of Salary)
Age
Savings Target
Example ($75k Salary)
25
0.25x salary
$18,750
30
1x salary
$75,000
35
2x salary
$150,000
40
3x salary
$225,000
45
4x salary
$300,000
50
6x salary
$450,000
55
7x salary
$525,000
60
8x salary
$600,000
67
10x salary
$750,000
Based on saving 15% of salary starting at age 25, retiring at 67.
Alternative Benchmark: Dollar Amounts
Age
Conservative Target
Aggressive Target
25
$15,000
$30,000
30
$60,000
$100,000
35
$120,000
$200,000
40
$200,000
$350,000
45
$300,000
$500,000
50
$450,000
$750,000
55
$600,000
$1,000,000
60
$800,000
$1,300,000
65
$1,000,000
$1,700,000
How Americans Actually Compare
Median vs. Recommended (All Retirement Accounts)
Age
Median Saved
Recommended
Gap
25-29
$9,400
$20,000
-$10,600
30-34
$21,000
$75,000
-$54,000
35-39
$43,000
$150,000
-$107,000
40-44
$78,000
$225,000
-$147,000
45-49
$115,000
$300,000
-$185,000
50-54
$143,000
$450,000
-$307,000
55-59
$168,000
$525,000
-$357,000
60-64
$182,000
$600,000
-$418,000
65+
$200,000
$750,000+
-$550,000
Median includes retirement savers only. Many Americans have $0 saved.
What Percentile Are You?
At Age 30:
Percentile
Retirement Savings
90th
$160,000+
75th
$75,000
50th (Median)
$21,000
25th
$6,000
10th
$0
At Age 40:
Percentile
Retirement Savings
90th
$450,000+
75th
$180,000
50th (Median)
$78,000
25th
$20,000
10th
$0
At Age 50:
Percentile
Retirement Savings
90th
$800,000+
75th
$350,000
50th (Median)
$143,000
25th
$40,000
10th
$0
Emergency Fund Benchmarks
Recommended Emergency Fund by Age
Life Stage
Recommended
Why
Early career (20s)
3 months expenses
Building phase, more flexibility
Established (30s)
3-6 months expenses
Dependents, mortgage may start
Peak earning (40s-50s)
6 months expenses
Higher lifestyle, harder to replace income
Pre-retirement (60s)
6-12 months expenses
Longer job search if needed
Emergency Fund by Monthly Expenses
Monthly Expenses
3 Months
6 Months
12 Months
$3,000
$9,000
$18,000
$36,000
$4,000
$12,000
$24,000
$48,000
$5,000
$15,000
$30,000
$60,000
$6,000
$18,000
$36,000
$72,000
$8,000
$24,000
$48,000
$96,000
$10,000
$30,000
$60,000
$120,000
Net Worth Benchmarks by Age
Total Net Worth Targets
Age
Low Target
Average Target
Stretch Target
25
$10,000
$25,000
$50,000
30
$50,000
$100,000
$200,000
35
$125,000
$200,000
$400,000
40
$225,000
$400,000
$700,000
45
$350,000
$600,000
$1,000,000
50
$500,000
$900,000
$1,500,000
55
$700,000
$1,200,000
$2,000,000
60
$900,000
$1,500,000
$2,500,000
65
$1,100,000
$1,900,000
$3,000,000
Includes retirement accounts, home equity, taxable investments, minus debts.
Net Worth Formula Check
“Prodigious Accumulator of Wealth” Formula (from The Millionaire Next Door):
Expected Net Worth = Age × Pre-Tax Income ÷ 10
Age
Income
Expected Net Worth
30
$70,000
$210,000
40
$100,000
$400,000
50
$120,000
$600,000
60
$130,000
$780,000
If your net worth is 2x+ this formula, you’re an exceptional saver.
Savings Rate Required to Catch Up
If Starting at Age 25
Savings Rate
Balance at 67
Monthly Savings ($75k salary)
10%
$870,000
$625
15%
$1,300,000
$938
20%
$1,740,000
$1,250
Assumes 7% annual return.
If Starting at Age 35
Savings Rate
Balance at 67
Monthly Savings ($90k salary)
15%
$680,000
$1,125
20%
$905,000
$1,500
25%
$1,130,000
$1,875
If Starting at Age 45
Savings Rate
Balance at 67
Monthly Savings ($110k salary)
20%
$435,000
$1,833
25%
$545,000
$2,292
30%
$655,000
$2,750
Later starters need higher rates AND may benefit from working longer.
How Much Should I Have Saved for Specific Goals?
By Age 30
Category
Target
Purpose
Retirement
1x salary ($75,000)
On track for 67
Emergency fund
3-6 months ($12,000-$24,000)
Job loss protection
Down payment
20% of target home
Avoid PMI
Suggested total
$100,000-$150,000
Well-positioned
By Age 40
Category
Target
Purpose
Retirement
3x salary ($270,000)
On track for 67
Emergency fund
6 months ($30,000)
Full protection
529 plans
$40,000-$80,000 per child
College funding
Suggested total
$350,000-$500,000
Including home equity
By Age 50
Category
Target
Purpose
Retirement
6x salary ($600,000)
On track for 67
Emergency fund
6-12 months ($40,000-$80,000)
Extended runway
Taxable investments
$100,000+
Flexibility, early retirement option
Suggested total
$800,000-$1,200,000
Strong position
If You’re Behind: Catch-Up Strategies
Immediate Actions
Strategy
Impact
Increase 401(k) contribution by 1%
Adds ~$15,000-$25,000 over 10 years
Get full employer match
50-100% immediate return
Open Roth IRA
Additional $7,000/year capacity
Reduce expensive debt
Frees cash flow
Age 50+ Catch-Up Contributions (2026)
Account
Standard Limit
Catch-Up
Total (50+)
401(k)
$23,500
$7,500
$31,000
401(k) ages 60-63
$23,500
$11,250
$34,750
IRA
$7,000
$1,000
$8,000
Total possible
$30,500
$8,500-$12,250
$39,000-$42,750
Working Longer: The Powerful Option
Retire At
Additional Savings (5 years)
Additional Growth
Social Security Increase
67 vs 62
$100,000-$200,000
~40% more
30-40% higher benefit
70 vs 65
$150,000-$250,000
~35% more
24-32% higher benefit
Savings Benchmarks by Income Level
For $50,000 Income
Age
Retirement Target
Emergency Fund
Total Savings Goal
30
$50,000
$12,000
$62,000
40
$150,000
$18,000
$168,000
50
$300,000
$24,000
$324,000
For $100,000 Income
Age
Retirement Target
Emergency Fund
Total Savings Goal
30
$100,000
$20,000
$120,000
40
$300,000
$30,000
$330,000
50
$600,000
$40,000
$640,000
For $150,000 Income
Age
Retirement Target
Emergency Fund
Total Savings Goal
30
$150,000
$30,000
$180,000
40
$450,000
$45,000
$495,000
50
$900,000
$60,000
$960,000
Common Questions
“Is $X Enough to Retire?”
Saved at 65
Annual Withdrawal (4%)
Enough?
$250,000
$10,000
No — needs Social Security heavily
$500,000
$20,000
Tight — modest lifestyle
$750,000
$30,000
Okay — average lifestyle
$1,000,000
$40,000
Good — comfortable
$1,500,000
$60,000
Very good — flexibility
$2,000,000+
$80,000+
Excellent — options
“What If I Have a Pension?”
Pension Value
Equivalent Savings
$20,000/year
~$500,000
$40,000/year
~$1,000,000
$60,000/year
~$1,500,000
Pensions offset how much you need saved. Add pension value to your retirement account balance when comparing to benchmarks.
WealthVieu researches and writes data-driven personal finance guides using primary sources including the IRS, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Federal Reserve, and Census Bureau.
The content on Wealthvieu is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial, tax, or investment advice. Consult a qualified professional before making financial decisions. Full disclaimer · Editorial policy
