Fidelity's widely-cited retirement savings benchmarks give the clearest guidance for whether you're on track — and they're simple enough to track annually without a financial planner.
Fidelity's retirement savings benchmarks
| Age | Savings target (× current salary) | Example ($80k salary) |
|---|---|---|
| 30 | 1× | $80,000 |
| 35 | 2× | $160,000 |
| 40 | 3× | $240,000 |
| 45 | 4× | $320,000 |
| 50 | 6× | $480,000 |
| 55 | 7× | $560,000 |
| 60 | 8× | $640,000 |
| 67 | 10× | $800,000 |
The assumptions behind these numbers
- Retirement at age 67 (full Social Security retirement age for most)
- Social Security covers ~40% of pre-retirement income
- Portfolio covers 45% of pre-retirement income
- 4.5% annual savings rate minimum
- About 50% equity allocation by retirement
If you're behind at each stage
Behind at 30: Maximize Roth IRA, get full 401(k) match. Time is your ally — 35 years of compounding forgives a lot.
Behind at 40: Increase 401(k) to maximum ($23,500). Cut lifestyle costs to redirect cash flow. Consider income-increasing moves (negotiate raise, develop high-value skill).
Behind at 50: Catch-up contributions available. $31,000/year in 401(k). Work every year you can — each year worked vs not is worth $40,000–$60,000 in portfolio impact (year of contributions + no withdrawal + continued growth).
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About the author
Enrique 'Kike' Faúndez is an Information Systems and Management Control Engineer from Universidad de Chile, with master’s degrees in Finance from Universidad de Chile and Industrial Engineering from Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile. He has 15+ years of experience in regulated financial services across finance, operations, and digital product development. He founded CashControlly in Santiago, Chile, with the conviction that personal financial control should not be a privilege, but an accessible and well-designed tool.
- Master's in Finance, Universidad de Chile
- Master's in Industrial Engineering, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile
- Information Systems and Management Control Engineer, Universidad de Chile
- AI and ITIL certifications
- 15+ years in regulated financial services
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