This is your complete reference for retirement savings benchmarks at every age — what the average American has and what you should be targeting.
Retirement Savings Benchmarks by Age
| Age | Target (Fidelity Multiplier) | Example: $60K | Example: $80K | Example: $100K |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25 | 0.5x | $30,000 | $40,000 | $50,000 |
| 30 | 1x | $60,000 | $80,000 | $100,000 |
| 35 | 2x | $120,000 | $160,000 | $200,000 |
| 40 | 3x | $180,000 | $240,000 | $300,000 |
| 45 | 4x | $240,000 | $320,000 | $400,000 |
| 50 | 6x | $360,000 | $480,000 | $600,000 |
| 55 | 7x | $420,000 | $560,000 | $700,000 |
| 60 | 8x | $480,000 | $640,000 | $800,000 |
| 67 | 10x | $600,000 | $800,000 | $1,000,000 |
Average vs. Median Retirement Savings by Age (2026)
| Age Group | Median Savings | Mean Savings | Benchmark (on $75K) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 35 | $13,000 | $49,100 | $37,500 (0.5x) |
| 35-44 | $43,000 | $141,500 | $150,000 (2x) |
| 45-54 | $87,000 | $313,200 | $450,000 (6x) |
| 55-64 | $134,000 | $537,800 | $525,000 (7x) |
| 65-74 | $185,000 | $609,200 | $750,000 (10x) |
| 75+ | $137,000 | $462,100 | Varies |
Contribution Limits for 2026
| Account | Under 50 | Age 50+ Catch-Up |
|---|---|---|
| 401(k) / 403(b) | $23,500 | $31,000 |
| Traditional / Roth IRA | $7,000 | $8,000 |
| SIMPLE IRA | $16,500 | $20,000 |
| SEP IRA | 25% of compensation | — |
How Long It Takes to Reach $1 Million
Starting from $0, investing at 7% average annual return:
| Monthly Contribution | Years to $1M | Retirement Age (starting at 30) |
|---|---|---|
| $500 | ~32 years | 62 |
| $750 | ~28 years | 58 |
| $1,000 | ~25 years | 55 |
| $1,500 | ~21 years | 51 |
| $2,000 | ~18.5 years | 48.5 |
Retirement Income Generated by Savings Balance
Using the 4% safe withdrawal rate:
| Savings at Retirement | Annual Income | Monthly Income |
|---|---|---|
| $300,000 | $12,000 | $1,000 |
| $500,000 | $20,000 | $1,667 |
| $750,000 | $30,000 | $2,500 |
| $1,000,000 | $40,000 | $3,333 |
| $1,500,000 | $60,000 | $5,000 |
| $2,000,000 | $80,000 | $6,667 |
If You’re Behind — What to Do
| Behind By | Action |
|---|---|
| 1-2x multiplier | Increase contributions by 5%; reduce one major expense |
| 3-4x multiplier | Max out all accounts; consider delaying retirement 2-3 years |
| 5x+ multiplier | Consult a financial planner; may need to significantly change retirement timeline or lifestyle |
Related: Financial Milestones by Age | Savings Milestones by Age | Wealth Accumulation by Age