Retire on your terms — not when you're forced to
Follow these steps in order. Each one builds on the last until you've mastered retirement planning.
Annual expenses × 25 = retirement nest egg. Need $40K/year? Target $1 million.
Free money. Contribute at least enough to get your full 401(k) employer match.
Traditional (tax now) or Roth (tax-free later). Max $7,000/year if eligible.
In your 20s-30s, go 90%+ stocks. You have decades to recover from downturns.
Raise your 401(k) by 1% every year. You'll barely notice — but your future self will.
"The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now."— Chinese Proverb
Advanced moves to accelerate your progress and get results faster.
$200/month from age 22-65 at 7% = $600K+. Starting at 35? Only $250K.
Over 50? You can contribute extra $7,500 to 401(k) and $1,000 to IRA.
Don't count on it fully — but delaying benefits to 70 increases your payout 8%/year.
Save 50%+ of income and retire in your 30s-40s. Extreme but possible.
The core principles and your checklist to put retirement planning into practice today.
Withdraw 4% annually and your money lasts 30+ years.
Use every tax-advantaged account available to you.
Starting 10 years earlier can double your retirement balance.
Retirement isn't an age — it's a financial number that buys freedom.