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Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →A common U.S. retirement-savings guideline from Fidelity Investments is to have saved about 1× your annual income by 30, 3× by 40, 6× by 50, 8× by 60, and 10× by 67. These are aspirational planning milestones—not universal requirements. They assume a particular savings rate, investment mix, retirement age, and lifestyle, so use them to start a personal estimate rather than as a pass-or-fail test.
Fidelity’s retirement-savings benchmarks by age
Fidelity’s age-based factors compare retirement savings with annual income. Its 2026 guidance gives these milestones:
| Age | Suggested savings |
|---|---|
| 30 | 1× annual income |
| 40 | 3× annual income |
| 50 | 6× annual income |
| 60 | 8× annual income |
| 67 | 10× preretirement income |
These are Fidelity Investments’ planning goalposts, not a government standard or a population-wide average. Fidelity says they are aspirational and that people are unlikely to meet every milestone. The factors assume saving 15% of income each year from age 25, including employer match; investing an average of more than 50% of savings in stocks over a lifetime; retiring at 67; and maintaining a preretirement lifestyle. See Fidelity’s explanation of how much to save for retirement.
What the benchmark assumes your savings will do
Fidelity’s accompanying guideline is to save about 15% of pretax pay each working year, counting employer contributions. In its framework, savings are intended to provide about 45% of pretax preretirement income; Social Security, pensions, and other resources are also part of the income picture. That replacement-income figure is a feature of Fidelity’s framework, not a universal target for every household. Fidelity discusses the guideline in its retirement guidelines.
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The benchmark therefore depends on more than your age. It assumes a certain length of time contributing, a particular investment allocation, and a retirement lifestyle that resembles your preretirement one. A different savings rate, investment mix, retirement date, or spending plan can change what you need.
How retirement age can change the target
Fidelity’s examples show why the target should be tied to when you expect to stop working: its guideline is 10× preretirement income at 67, 8× final income for retirement at 70, and at least 12× at 65. The earlier-retirement examples call for a larger multiple because the savings may need to support more years without employment income. These are examples within Fidelity’s framework, not precise individualized calculations.
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Social Security’s “normal retirement age” is a benefit-calculation term, not a requirement that someone retire at that age. It depends on birth year; the Social Security Administration lists age 67 for people born in 1960 or later. Check the SSA normal retirement age table for the applicable cohort.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How to use the milestones for your own plan
- Choose a retirement-age assumption. Compare your intended retirement date with the benchmark’s age-67 assumption; an earlier or later date can alter the amount and the number of years savings must support you.
- Estimate retirement spending. The base factors assume maintaining your preretirement lifestyle. Consider which expenses may change, and whether you expect a materially higher or lower standard of living.
- Count total annual contributions. Compare your savings rate with the 15% guideline, including any employer match. The benchmark assumes that saving begins at age 25, so starting later or contributing at a different rate means the multiple may not map neatly to your situation.
- Consider your investment mix. Fidelity’s factors assume an average lifetime allocation of more than 50% stocks. A materially different mix or growth assumption can produce a different result; the milestone itself does not forecast an individual account balance.
- Account for other retirement income. Social Security and pensions can contribute to retirement income. Use your own benefit record and pension or plan details when estimating those resources rather than treating the savings multiple as the whole plan.
Fidelity provides a useful reference point, but no single savings multiple establishes what every person should have. Treat a gap as a reason to revisit assumptions and contributions—not as a diagnosis that you are necessarily behind.
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