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How Much Should You Have Saved for Retirement at 30?
The short answer: by 30, aim to have about 1× your yearly salary saved for retirement. On a $60,000 salary that is $60,000. The figure comes from Fidelity’s widely used milestones (1× your salary by 30, 3× by 40, 6× by 50, 8× by 60 and 10× by 67), joined in a straight line between milestones and starting from zero at 22.
Retirement savings target at 30, by salary
| Yearly salary | Target at 30 (1×) | Next milestone: 3× by 40, at today’s salary |
|---|---|---|
| $40,000 | $40,000 | $120,000 |
| $60,000 | $60,000 | $180,000 |
| $80,000 | $80,000 | $240,000 |
| $100,000 | $100,000 | $300,000 |
| $150,000 | $150,000 | $450,000 |
Targets count retirement savings only (401(k), IRA and similar accounts), not home equity. Fidelity’s multiples apply to your salary at each age, so if your pay rises, so do your targets. Saving about 15% of pay each year, counting any employer match, is what Fidelity assumes keeps you on this path.
Starting from zero at 30
If you have nothing saved yet, saving 15% of a $60,000 salary ($750 a month, counting any employer match) from 30 would build about $960,000 by 67 in today’s dollars, or 16× your salary, assuming a 5% yearly return after inflation and pay that only keeps pace with inflation. Starting early matters more than starting big: the same $750 a month started at 45 would build about $360,000.
What to focus on at 30
Aim to save about 15% of pay for retirement, counting any employer match. If you are behind, the gap is still easy to close with steady contributions and decades of compounding ahead.
Retirement savings at other ages
Age 25 · 30 · Age 35 · Age 40 · Age 45 · Age 50 · Age 55 · Age 60 · Age 65
See every age on one page in Retirement Savings by Age.
Common questions
How much should I have saved for retirement at 30?
About 1 times your yearly salary, based on Fidelity's milestones of 1 times your salary by 30, 3 times by 40, 6 times by 50, 8 times by 60 and 10 times by 67. On a $60,000 salary that is $60,000.
Is it too late to start saving for retirement at 30?
No. Saving 15% of a $60,000 salary from 30 would build about $960,000 by 67 in today's dollars, assuming a 5% yearly return after inflation and pay that only keeps pace with inflation. The same amount started at 45 would build about $360,000, so time is your biggest advantage.
Does the retirement savings target include my home?
No. Fidelity's salary multiples count retirement savings such as a 401(k) or IRA, not home equity. A paid-off home lowers what you need to spend in retirement, but it is not part of the multiple.
Sources
- How much do I need to retire? — Fidelity
- Retirement topics: 401(k) and profit-sharing plan contribution limits — Internal Revenue Service
- Compound Interest Calculator — U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, Investor.gov
This guide is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not financial, medical, legal, or tax advice. Consult a qualified professional for guidance specific to your situation.
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