Retirement & Savings Guides
How much to save for retirement, 401(k) and IRA rules, Social Security timing, and the 4% rule — explained with real numbers.
Retirement & Savings: quick answers
How Much Money Do I Need to Retire Comfortably in the US?
Most Americans need to replace about 70–80% of their pre-retirement income. Subtract expected Social Security, then multiply the remaining annual gap by 25 (the 4% rule). For example, $60,000 of spending minus $23,700 of Social Security leaves $36,300, requiring roughly $900,000 saved.
What Is the Average Retirement Income in America in 2026?
Average retirement income in America is well above the median because a few high earners skew it. Most retirees rely on a mix of Social Security (about a third of income on average, and half or more for 40% of retirees), retirement account withdrawals, pensions and part-time work.
Is $1 Million Enough to Retire? Here's What the Math Says
For most Americans in average-cost areas, $1 million is enough to retire if managed wisely. Using the 4% rule it provides about $40,000 a year, and combined with average Social Security (about $23,700) that's roughly $63,700 a year. It may fall short in high-cost cities or for early retirees.
How Much Should I Contribute to My 401(k) Each Paycheck?
Contribute at least enough to get your full employer match, and aim for 15% of gross income including the match. If 15% isn't possible yet, start at the match and increase by 1% a year. The 2026 limit is $24,500 ($32,500 if you're 50 or older).
Average 401(k) Balance by Age in 2026: How Do You Compare?
The average 401(k) balance across all ages is about $113,000, but the median is only about $35,000 because a few large accounts skew the average. Fidelity suggests having 1× your salary saved by 30, 3× by 40, 6× by 50 and 8× by 60.
Can I Retire at 55 with $500K? Here's the Math
Retiring at 55 with $500,000 is possible but tight. The 4% rule gives about $20,000 a year, and you must cover health insurance until Medicare at 65 and wait until at least 62 for Social Security. It works best with low expenses, part-time income, or a pension.
When Should I Start Collecting Social Security? Age 62 vs 67 vs 70
For most healthy Americans, delaying Social Security to at least full retirement age (67), and ideally 70, pays off. Claiming at 62 cuts benefits by up to 30% permanently, while waiting from 67 to 70 raises them by 24%. The break-even age for waiting from 62 to 67 is about 78–79.
How Much Should You Have Saved for Retirement by Age 30, 40, and 50?
A common benchmark from Fidelity is to have 1× your annual salary saved for retirement by 30, 3× by 40, 6× by 50, 8× by 60, and 10× by 67. On a $60,000 salary, that means about $60,000 by 30 and $180,000 by 40.
401(k) vs Roth IRA: Which Is Better for You in 2026?
For most people the best answer is both: contribute to your 401(k) up to the employer match, then fund a Roth IRA (up to $7,500 in 2026), then go back and raise 401(k) contributions. A 401(k) lowers your taxes now; a Roth IRA gives you tax-free withdrawals later.
The 4% Rule Explained: How Much Do You Need to Retire?
The 4% rule says you can withdraw 4% of your retirement savings in year one, then adjust that dollar amount for inflation each year, and your money should last at least 30 years. To find your target, multiply your annual spending by 25 — $40,000 a year needs about $1 million.
How to Start Saving for Retirement in Your 20s (and Why It Matters)
Start by contributing enough to your 401(k) to get the full employer match, then open a Roth IRA and invest in a low-cost index or target-date fund. Aim to save 15% of gross income, but starting with 5–6% and increasing 1% a year is fine — time and compounding do the heavy lifting.
Social Security Benefits 2026: What You Need to Know
In 2026 you can claim Social Security from age 62 to 70. Full retirement age is 67 for anyone born in 1960 or later. Claiming at 62 cuts your benefit by up to 30% permanently, while waiting until 70 raises it by 8% per year past full retirement age.