Your 3 steps
- 1
Watch this video first
The first video for this path is coming soon.
- 2
Use this tool
Retirement Savings Needed CalculatorFind your retirement number from the income you want.
Open the tool - 3
Get the Middle Memo
One money decision, one number worth knowing and one mindset shift, every week.
Free. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Everything on retirement
How Much Do I Need to Retire?
Take the yearly income you want in retirement, subtract your Social Security estimate, and multiply the gap by 25 (the 4% rule). If savings must cover $36,000 a year, you need about $900,000 in today’s dollars, more once inflation is counted.
Retirement401(k) Basics: Matching, Contributions and Mistakes to Avoid
A 401(k) is a workplace retirement account funded from your paycheck, often with an employer match. Contribute at least enough to get the full match; it’s an instant return. In 2026 you can put in up to $24,500, plus catch-up contributions at 50 and older.
RetirementAm I Behind on Retirement? Savings Benchmarks by Age
One common rule of thumb: about 1x your salary saved by 30, 3x by 40, 6x by 50, 8x by 60 and 10x by 67. They’re rough checkpoints, not a pass/fail test. If you’re behind, saving more, catch-up contributions and working a few extra years close much of the gap.