Retirement Savings – How Much is Enough?

“Do not save what is left after spending; instead spend what is left after saving.”
– Warren Buffett

Whether your retirement plans include traveling the world, sending your grandchildren to college or donating to your favorite charities, clearly identifying your objectives can mean the difference between a successful retirement and falling short of your goals.

Take Inventory of Your Finances

An important first step is to figure out where you currently stand financially. Evaluate your budget to determine where your money is going and what money you’ll have coming in during retirement.

Look to your employer-sponsored retirement accounts, individual retirement accounts and, for some, wages and a pension. Then prioritize your spending. Now’s a great time to create a “bucket list” of things you’ve dreamed about doing if only you had more time, as well as the lifestyle you want to live in retirement.

Compare Pre- and Post-Retirement Budgets

See how your pre- and post-retirement budgets compare. The more realistic you are, the better prepared you can be. Try to be realistic in terms of retirement length, too. According to the Social Security Administration, one out of every three 65-year-olds today will live past age 90 and one out of seven will live past age 95.¹

If you need to save more to make your post-retirement budget stack up, a little extra can go a long way. For example, a one percent 401(k) contribution increase for someone earning $50,000 annually would translate to a pay reduction of only $9.61 a week.

And if your company offers a matching contribution, make sure you contribute enough to take full advantage of it. Otherwise, you’re leaving free money* on the table. And, if you’re expecting Social Security to be a primary source of your retirement income, consider this:
The average monthly Social Security benefit in July 2018 was $1,414.² That’s less than $17,000 annually.

Consult a Financial Professional

Many financial planners recommend saving 10 to 15 percent of your income (including employer contributions) for retirement, if you start saving in your 20s.3 Others say you’ll need at least $1 million to retire comfortably.

One easy-to-use formula is the Four Percent Rule. It seeks to provide steady income to the retiree while also maintaining an account balance to keep income flowing through retirement. This formula helps determine the amount you will need to generate the retirement income you want by dividing your desired annual retirement income by four percent.

For example, if you want to generate $80,000 per year, your retirement nest egg would need to be about $2 million. This assumes a five percent return on investments, no additional retirement income (i.e., Social Security) and a lifestyle similar to the one you would be living at the time you retire.4**

No matter which benchmark you use, a trusted financial professional can help vet your plan and determine an appropriate strategy so your savings align with your retirement vision.

¹ https://www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10147.pdf – January 2018
² This information is as of August 2018. The benefit amount is updated on a monthly basis. The current average monthly Social Security benefit can be found in Table 2, line item “Retired workers”, by navigating to the following link: https://www.ssa.gov/policy/docs/quickfacts/stat_snapshot/index.html
³ CNN Money – Ultimate Guide to Retirement: How much should I save? https://money.cnn.com/retirement/guide/basics_basics.moneymag/index7.htm
⁴ https://www.investopedia.com/retirement/how-much-you-should-have-saved-age/ – January 2018
*Some companies’ match is subject to vesting, which describes teh amount of match and earnings available to you. Refer to your Summary Plan Description to view your plan’s vesting schedule.
**For informational purposes only. It is not intended to provide any legal or financial advice. Consult with your advisor regarding your particular set of facts and circumstances.

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