Fidelity's salary multiplier guidelines — 1× by 30, 3× by 40, 6× by 50, 10× by 67 — are the most widely cited retirement benchmarks in the industry. But Federal Reserve Survey of Consumer Finances data shows median retirement savings at just $87,000 for working-age households, leaving most Americans dramatically behind at every milestone.
This guide breaks down retirement savings targets at every age from 25 to 67, with specific dollar amounts at $50K, $75K, $100K, and $150K salary levels. Each milestone includes the math behind the multiplier, what to do if you are behind, and the account priority sequence that maximizes tax-advantaged growth.
Key benchmarks: $50K-$150K by age 30, $150K-$450K by age 40, $300K-$900K by age 50, and $500K-$1.5M by age 67. Catch-up strategies include maximizing 401(k) catch-up contributions ($7,500/year after 50), HSA triple-tax stacking, and Roth conversion ladders during low-income years.
Originally published on WealthWise OS.