How Much Should You Save for Retirement?
"How much do I need to retire?" is one of the most common money questions, and the honest answer is: it depends. But there are clear guidelines that get you most of the way there.
Save a percentage of income, consistently
A widely used rule of thumb is to put away around 15% of your gross income for retirement, including any employer match. If 15% isn't realistic yet, start lower and raise it a little each year or whenever you get a raise. Consistency matters more than perfection.
Never leave the match on the table
If your employer matches part of your retirement contributions, that's an immediate, guaranteed return before the market does anything. Contributing at least enough to get the full match is one of the few genuinely free wins in personal finance.
Think in terms of your future expenses
One common framing is to aim for a nest egg around 25 times your expected annual retirement spending — the rough basis for the "4% rule," which suggests withdrawing about 4% a year. It's a starting estimate, not a guarantee, and your real number depends on your lifestyle, health, and other income like a pension or social security.
Time is your biggest ally
Because returns compound, contributions made early in your career do far more work than the same dollars added near retirement. Even small amounts in your twenties and thirties can outgrow much larger amounts started later.
Estimate your number
Plug your current balance, monthly contribution, employer match, and expected return into the retirement calculator to project your balance at retirement. Then read our compound interest guide to understand why starting early matters so much.
Educational information only — not financial, tax, or investment advice.