How do I start planning for retirement if I'm behind on my savings?

Catching up on retirement savings requires an aggressive, multi-pronged financial strategy focused on maximizing contributions, slashing expenses, and optimizing tax advantages.

1. Assess Your Current Financial Baseline

Before making changes, calculate your exact starting point and your target retirement age.

• Audit Your Assets: List all current bank accounts, past employer 401(k) plans, IRAs, and any real estate equity.
• Determine Your Gap: Use a reliable calculator like the AARP Retirement Calculator or the Fidelity My Retirement Plan Tool to figure out your projected shortfall.
• Check Social Security: Log into your official account on the Social Security Administration Portal to view your estimated monthly benefits based on your earnings history.

2. Maximize Catch-Up Contributions

Tax laws offer built-in advantages for individuals trying to accelerate their savings later in life.

• Utilize Age 50+ Catch-Ups: If you are age 50 or older, the IRS allows you to contribute extra money beyond standard limits into your 401(k), 403(b), and traditional or Roth IRAs.
• Automate Account Increases: Set your workplace retirement plan to automatically increase your contribution rate by 1% to 2% every year or whenever you receive a raise.
• Secure the Employer Match: Always contribute at least enough to claim 100% of your employer's matching funds. Leaving a company match on the table is turning down free money.

3. Lower Expenses to Increase Your Savings Rate

To bridge a steep savings gap, you must actively free up cash from your current monthly budget.

• Downsize Housing Early: Consider moving to a smaller home, a lower-cost neighborhood, or a state with no income tax to instantly unlock massive monthly cash flow.
• Eliminate High-Interest Debt: Aggressively pay off credit cards using the avalanche or snowball method so those interest payments can be redirected entirely into investments.
• Cut Discretionary Spending: Audit the last three months of bank statements to identify and eliminate recurring subscriptions, excessive dining out, and luxury travel.

4. Adjust Your Retirement Strategy and Timeline

Modifying your expectations about retirement can drastically reduce the total amount of savings you actually need.

• Delay Your Retirement Age: Working just two or three years longer gives your investments more time to compound and drastically increases your eventual monthly Social Security payout.
• Plan for Phased Retirement: Transition into a part-time role or consulting work within your field to cover basic living expenses without drawing down your retirement nest egg too early.
• Invest Safely for Growth: Avoid over-correcting by putting all your money into high-risk assets. Maintain a diversified portfolio with an asset allocation suited to your realistic timeline.

Strategic Comparison: Traditional vs. Roth Catch-Up Strategies

Anticipate Hidden Blind Spots

• Health Insurance Gaps: If you retire before age 65, you will not yet qualify for Medicare. Factor in the high cost of private health insurance or COBRA coverage into your bridge-years budget.
• Inflation Erosion: Ensure your catch-up investments still contain growth-oriented assets (like broad-market index funds) so your purchasing power is not eaten away by inflation over a 20-to-30-year retirement.

To help personalize this acceleration plan, please share:

• What is your current age and your target retirement age?
• Do you have access to a workplace 401(k) or 403(b) with an employer match?
• Roughly how much have you saved so far compared to your goal?

Starting retirement planning when you feel behind can feel overwhelming, but it’s absolutely possible to make meaningful progress—especially if you approach it systematically. Here’s a structured plan you can follow:

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1. Assess Your Current Situation

• Take stock of your finances: Look at income, expenses, debts, and existing savings (401k, IRA, other investments).
• Estimate your retirement needs: A common rule is aiming for 70–80% of your pre-retirement income annually, but this varies depending on your lifestyle goals.
• Determine your gap: Calculate roughly how much more you need to save.

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2. Maximize Income and Reduce Expenses

• Increase contributions: Even if you can’t max out your retirement accounts immediately, contribute something consistently. Automating savings helps.
• Catch-up contributions: If you’re 50 or older, IRS rules allow higher contributions to 401(k)s and IRAs.
• Cut unnecessary expenses: Identify areas where you can redirect money toward retirement.

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3. Tackle Debt Strategically

• High-interest debt first: Credit cards or personal loans can erode your savings. Paying these down accelerates your ability to save.
• Low-interest debt: Might be okay to maintain while you invest for retirement, depending on your situation.

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4. Choose the Right Retirement Accounts

• Employer-sponsored 401(k) or 403(b): Take advantage of any employer match—this is essentially free money.
• IRAs (Traditional or Roth): Flexible, with tax benefits. Roth IRAs grow tax-free, which can help later if you’re behind.
• Taxable accounts: If you’ve maxed out tax-advantaged accounts, invest in a regular brokerage account.

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5. Invest Wisely

• Time matters, even if you’re behind: Start now—every year counts.
• Diversification: Mix stocks, bonds, and possibly alternative assets depending on risk tolerance and timeline.
• Focus on growth but manage risk: If retirement is 10–20 years away, a higher stock allocation might help catch up.

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6. Consider Working Longer or Phased Retirement

• Delaying Social Security: In the U.S., delaying benefits past full retirement age increases your monthly payout.
• Part-time work: Reduces the amount you need to withdraw early and allows continued saving.

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7. Reassess and Adjust Annually

• Track your progress yearly and adjust contributions, investment allocation, and retirement age if necessary.

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💡 Small wins matter: Even if you’re behind, starting today and staying consistent compounds significantly over time. For example, adding just $200–$500/month, consistently invested, can grow surprisingly fast over 10–15 years.

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If you want, I can create a tailored “catch-up retirement plan” with numbers, showing exactly how much you might need to save monthly, including the effect of delaying retirement or working part-time. This would give you a concrete roadmap rather than just general advice.

Do you want me to do that?

You can successfully secure your retirement even with a late start by maximizing tax-advantaged accounts, utilizing catch-up contributions, and optimizing your lifestyle expenses. The key is shifting from a passive savings mindset to an aggressive, structured strategy.

1. Calculate Your Target Retirement Number

• Estimate annual expenses : Plan to need 70% to 80% of your current income in retirement.
• Factor in guaranteed income : Subtract expected Social Security Retirement Benefits or pensions from that annual need.
• Determine the gap : Multiply the remaining annual need by 25 to find your total target savings goal.

2. Maximize Tax-Advantaged Accounts and Catch-Up Contributions

• Exploit employer matching : Contribute enough to your employer's 401(k), 403(b), or TSP to grab every dollar of the free company match.
• Use catch-up contributions : If you are age 50 or older , federal laws allow you to contribute extra money above standard limits into your retirement plans.
• Fund an Individual Retirement Account (IRA) : Open a Traditional IRA or Roth IRA to supplement employer plans if you hit your 401(k) limits.

3. Downsize and Divert Your Cash Flow

• Audit monthly spending : Eliminate non-essential subscriptions, premium dining, and luxury travel immediately.
• Automate your savings : Set up automatic transfers to your investment accounts on every single payday so you never see the money.
• Downsize major assets : Consider moving to a smaller home or a lower-tax region to instantly free up massive amounts of investment capital.

4. Optimize Your Investment Mix for Growth

• Avoid over-conservatism : Being behind often tempts people to hide in cash, but inflation will erode that money; you still need stock exposure for growth.
• Use low-cost index funds : Prioritize broad-market funds like an S&P 500 or Total Stock Market index fund to keep fees low and returns optimized.
• Consider Target-Date Funds : Select a fund matched to your expected retirement year if you prefer a hands-off, automatically rebalancing portfolio.

5. Adjust Your Retirement Timeline

• Delay Social Security : Waiting to claim benefits past your Full Retirement Age (until age 70) increases your monthly payout by 8% per year.
• Extend your working years : Working just 2 to 3 years longer gives your current investments more time to compound without being drawn down.
• Plan a "Phased Retirement" : Transition into part-time work or consulting during your early retirement years to cover basic living expenses.

Critical Blind Spots to Watch For

• High-interest debt : Pay off credit cards completely before aggressively investing; high interest rates will outpace market returns.
• The "catch-up" scam trap : Avoid volatile, high-risk "get-rich-quick" investments or high-fee financial products promising guaranteed double-digit returns.
• Health care costs : Factor in healthcare; look into contributing to a Health Savings Account (HSA) if eligible, as it offers a triple tax advantage for medical expenses.

To help tailor a specific, mechanical plan for your situation, let me know:

• What is your current age and your target retirement age?
• Do you currently have access to a workplace 401(k) or pension plan?
• Approximately how much do you have saved right now?

If you feel behind on retirement savings, the most important thing is to shift from “catching up perfectly” to building a realistic system that improves every year. Many people don’t hit their stride until their 40s or 50s.

Here’s a practical way to start.

1. Figure out your current baseline

You only need four numbers to begin:

• Your age
• Current retirement savings
• Annual spending (or income)
• Monthly amount you can realistically save

That gives you a starting point instead of a vague sense of being “behind.”

A common benchmark is aiming to replace roughly 70–90% of your pre-retirement income, but your actual target depends more on spending than salary.

2. Prioritize the highest-impact moves

If you’re behind, focus on actions with the biggest payoff:

Get the full employer match

If your employer offers a 401(k) match, contribute enough to capture all of it first. That’s immediate guaranteed return.

Increase savings gradually

Instead of trying to jump from 5% to 20% overnight:

• Increase contributions 1–2% every raise
• Automate increases annually
• Redirect bonuses/tax refunds into retirement

Consistency matters more than intensity.

3. Use catch-up contributions if you’re 50+

The IRS allows higher retirement contributions once you turn 50. SECURE 2.0 also added larger “super catch-up” limits for ages 60–63.

For 2026:

• 401(k) contribution limit: $24,500
• Standard age-50+ catch-up: additional $8,000
• Ages 60–63: additional $11,250 in some plans

IRAs also allow extra catch-up contributions after age 50.

These rules are specifically designed for people accelerating savings later in life.

4. Don’t keep too much cash sitting idle

A common mistake among late starters is being overly conservative.

If retirement is still 10–20+ years away, you usually need meaningful exposure to diversified stock investments for growth potential. Keeping everything in cash can make catching up harder because inflation erodes purchasing power over time.

Broad, low-cost index funds are often the simplest starting point.

5. Eliminate high-interest debt aggressively

If you’re carrying credit card debt at 20% interest, paying that down can outperform investing.

A strong order of operations is often:

1. Emergency fund
2. Employer match
3. High-interest debt payoff
4. Additional retirement investing

6. Delay retirement if needed — even slightly

Working even 2–5 extra years can dramatically improve retirement readiness because:

• You save longer
• Investments compound longer
• You delay withdrawals
• Social Security benefits may increase

For many people, this has more impact than trying to double investments quickly.

7. Estimate your future Social Security realistically

Create an account with Social Security Administration and review your earnings record and estimated benefits.

Delaying Social Security beyond full retirement age can significantly increase monthly payments.

8. Avoid “catch-up panic”

People who feel behind sometimes:

• take excessive investment risk,
• chase crypto/speculative bets,
• buy expensive annuities without understanding them,
• or constantly restart their strategy.

A boring plan followed consistently usually beats dramatic swings.

A simple “late starter” framework

If you want a straightforward roadmap:

• Save 15–25% of gross income if possible
• Capture full employer match
• Use tax-advantaged accounts first:
  • 401(k)
  • IRA/Roth IRA
  • HSA if eligible
• Invest mostly in diversified stock index funds plus some bonds
• Increase contributions yearly
• Plan for a flexible retirement age

Even starting later, strong savings habits over 10–20 years can still create substantial retirement security.

If you want, I can also help you:

• estimate how much you may need,
• build a catch-up savings plan by age,
• compare Traditional vs Roth accounts,
• or create a simple retirement allocation strategy.

If you feel behind on retirement savings, the good news is that you still have real options—but the strategy shifts from “slow and steady early saver” to “intentional catch-up planner.” The goal now is to increase savings rate, use tax advantages aggressively, and make a clear timeline.

Here’s a practical way to start:

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1. Get a clear picture of where you stand

Before changing anything, you need a baseline:

• Total saved (401(k), IRA, brokerage, pensions)

• Current income

• Target retirement age

• Expected annual spending in retirement

A common rough benchmark is about 10× your income by retirement age , but this is just a rule of thumb—not a rule you must perfectly hit. penfed.org

This step matters because “behind” only means something relative to your timeline.

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2. Increase your savings rate (this is the biggest lever)

If you’re behind, the main fix is not picking perfect investments—it’s saving more of what you earn.

Ways to do that:

• Raise 401(k) contributions gradually (e.g., +1–2% every few months)

• Aim for at least 15–20% of income , and higher if you’re significantly behind

• Capture any employer match (this is effectively free money) citizensbank.com

• Redirect raises/bonuses straight into retirement accounts

Even small increases matter a lot more than people expect when you’re compounding over 10–25 years.

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3. Use “catch-up” contributions if you’re 50+

If you’re age 50 or older, the IRS allows extra contributions:

• 401(k) catch-up contributions

• IRA catch-up contributions

This is specifically designed for people who started late or slowed down earlier. globalcu.org

If you’re not 50 yet, this is still something to plan toward.

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4. Reduce friction in your budget (free up cash flow)

If savings feel hard, it usually means cash flow is tight.

Focus on:

• Paying down high-interest debt first (credit cards especially)

• Reducing fixed expenses (housing, subscriptions, insurance)

• Automating savings so you don’t “decide” every month

Even freeing up $200–$500/month and investing it consistently can change your trajectory over time.

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5. Consider increasing income (often more powerful than cutting)

If you’re behind, expenses alone usually won’t close the gap fast enough.

Options:

• Ask for a raise or switch jobs

• Add side income temporarily

• Upskill into higher-paying roles

Many catch-up plans rely heavily on increasing income, not just cutting spending. fool.com

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6. Be strategic about investment approach (don’t overcomplicate it)

You don’t need aggressive trading—you need consistency:

• Use diversified index funds or target-date funds

• Keep fees low

• Avoid pulling money out early

• Rebalance occasionally, not constantly

The main risk when starting late is usually behavioral , not market selection.

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7. Don’t ignore timing tradeoffs

If you’re significantly behind, you may also need to consider:

• Retiring a few years later than planned

• Working part-time in early retirement

• Reducing expected retirement spending slightly

This isn’t failure—it’s just adjusting variables in the equation.

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A simple way to think about your “catch-up plan”

You’re essentially balancing three levers:

Save more + earn more + possibly work longer

You don’t need all three to be perfect, but improving even one meaningfully helps.

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If you want, I can help you map this to your situation

If you share:

• age range

• income

• current savings

• target retirement age

I can sketch a realistic catch-up plan and what monthly savings would likely get you back on track.

To start planning for retirement while behind, immediately maximize employer 401(k) matches to secure free money, utilize catch-up contributions if over 50, and slash expenses to boost savings. Create a strict budget, automate contributions, consider delaying retirement, and consult a financial professional to create a realistic, accelerated plan.

Key Steps for Catching Up

• Max Out Employer Match : At a minimum, contribute enough to your 401(k) to get the full employer match.
• Utilize Catch-Up Contributions : If you are 50 or older, take advantage of IRS rules allowing higher contributions to 401(k)s and IRAs.
• Automate Savings : Set up automatic transfers to a Roth or Traditional IRA to ensure you save consistently.
• Automate and Budget : Reduce discretionary spending—such as dining out or travel—and redirect that money into retirement accounts.
• Consider a Roth IRA : If you qualify, a Roth IRA allows tax-free withdrawals in retirement, which can help your money go further.

Strategies for "Late Starters"

• Work Longer or Part-Time : Delaying retirement (e.g., until age 70) allows more time for investments to grow and reduces the number of years you need to live off savings.
• Delay Social Security : Waiting until age 70 to claim Social Security increases your monthly benefit significantly.
• Re-evaluate Lifestyle/Downsize : Consider moving to a lower-cost area or downsizing your home to free up capital.
• Increase Earnings : Consider a side hustle or monetizing skills to boost the amount you can save.

Essential Planning Actions

• Assess Your Situation : Use a Retirement Calculator to find out where you stand and what you need.
• Tackle High-Interest Debt : Prioritize paying off credit cards and high-interest loans to free up cash flow.
• Review Investments : Ensure your portfolio is not too conservative; growth is still necessary even if you are close to retirement.

If you are significantly behind, working with a financial planner can help you analyze your specific situation and identify the fastest path forward.

If you’re behind on retirement savings, the good news is you still have a lot of leverage—you just need a more intentional plan than someone who started earlier. The goal shifts from “perfect timing” to “maximize what you can do from here forward.”

Here’s a practical way to start.

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1. Get a clear picture of where you stand

Before changing anything, figure out:

• What you’ve already saved (401(k), IRA, investments, etc.)

• Your current income and monthly expenses

• Any high-interest debt

This matters because catching up isn’t just about saving more—it’s about knowing how much room you actually have to redirect money. point.com

A simple rule of thumb often used is aiming for roughly 10× your income by retirement age , but think of that as a directional target, not a hard rule. penfed.org

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2. Increase your savings rate (this is the biggest lever)

When you’re behind, the single most powerful move is raising your savings percentage.

Common targets:

• Minimum: 10–15% of income

• Catch-up mode: 20–30%+ if possible

Ways to free up money:

• Cut recurring “background spending” (subscriptions, unused services)

• Temporarily reduce lifestyle inflation (cars, housing upgrades, etc.)

• Redirect raises/bonuses instead of increasing spending

Even small increases matter a lot because compounding time is shorter for you.

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3. Use tax-advantaged accounts aggressively

Make retirement accounts do more of the heavy lifting:

• 401(k) (especially if there’s employer match—always take it)

• IRA (Roth or traditional depending on income)

• HSA if available (often overlooked but powerful)

If you’re 50+, you can also make catch-up contributions , which significantly increases how much you can save each year. merrilledge.com

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4. Prioritize “high-impact financial cleanup”

Before trying to invest heavily, fix leaks:

• Pay off high-interest debt (credit cards first)

• Build a small emergency fund (so you don’t raid retirement accounts later)

High-interest debt can easily cancel out investment gains.

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5. Increase income if possible (this is the other big accelerator)

If you’re behind, cutting expenses alone usually isn’t enough.

Consider:

• Asking for a raise or switching jobs

• Side income (freelance, consulting, part-time work)

• Selling unused assets or downsizing temporarily

Even a modest income increase can dramatically change your savings trajectory when invested.

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6. Adjust expectations—but don’t overcorrect

Being “behind” doesn’t mean you’re doomed—it means:

• You may need a higher savings rate now

• You may work a few years longer

• Or you may adjust retirement spending expectations slightly

Most people who successfully catch up do some combination of all three.

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7. Use a simple strategy instead of a perfect one

A workable “catch-up framework”:

1. Max employer match

2. Pay off high-interest debt

3. Build 3–6 month emergency fund

4. Invest 15–25%+ consistently

5. Increase savings whenever income rises

Consistency beats complexity here.

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Bottom line

If you’re behind, your advantage is urgency—you now have a clearer reason to optimize everything:

• Spend less on low-value expenses

• Save and invest more automatically

• Use tax-advantaged accounts aggressively

• Increase income where possible

You don’t need a perfect plan—you need a consistent, higher savings rate starting now , adjusted to your situation.

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If you want, tell me your age, income range, and what you’ve saved so far—I can map out a more specific catch-up target for you.

Starting late on retirement planning requires intense focus: immediately maximize employer 401(k) matches to secure free money, utilize catch-up contributions if over 50 ($7,500+ extra annually), slash expenses to increase savings rates, and consider working 2–5 years longer. Open an IRA, automate savings, and prioritize high-growth investments.

Key Action Steps to Catch Up

• Max Out Employer Matches: If your company offers a 401(k) match, contribute at least enough to get the full amount. This is effectively a 100% return on investment.
• Utilize Catch-Up Contributions: If you are age 50 or older, the IRS allows additional "catch-up" contributions to 401(k)s and IRAs, significantly boosting your annual savings capacity.
• Aggressive Budgeting: Review expenses to find areas to cut, such as dining out or travel, and redirect those funds to retirement accounts.
• Automate Savings: Set up automatic transfers to a Roth or Traditional IRA to ensure you save consistently before spending.
• Delay Retirement & Work Longer: Working even 2–3 years longer allows for more time for compound interest to work, reduces the number of years you need to fund, and maximizes Social Security benefits.
• High-Growth Investments: With a shorter time horizon, you may need to focus on growth-oriented investments, such as low-cost index funds or ETFs, to help your money grow faster, though this comes with higher risk.

Strategic Considerations

• Prioritize Debt Repayment: Use the "debt snowball" method to pay off high-interest debt, freeing up cash flow for investing.
• Consider Downsizing: Reducing housing costs can release significant equity or cash flow for savings.
• Seek Professional Advice: A financial advisor can help create a customized plan for late starters to ensure you are maximizing all available opportunities.

Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Consult a qualified professional regarding your specific financial situation.

To start planning for retirement while behind, immediately maximize employer 401(k) matching, cut expenses to boost savings, and consider using catch-up contributions if you are 50 or older. Create a strict budget (prioritizing saving 15% of income), pay off high-interest debt, and delay retirement, if possible, to allow more time for growth.

Immediate Action Steps:

• Secure the Match: At a minimum, contribute enough to your employer 401(k) to get the full match; this is guaranteed return.
• Automate Savings: Set up automatic transfers to a Roth IRA or traditional IRA to ensure consistent contributions.
• Utilize Catch-Up Contributions: If aged 50 or over, take advantage of IRS rules that allow higher contribution limits to 401(k)s and IRAs.
• Drastically Reduce Debt: Focus on paying off high-interest debt (credit cards) first to free up future cash flow for investing.

Strategic Adjustments:

• Redo Your Budget: Analyze spending and cut non-essentials to increase monthly investment amounts.
• Plan to Work Longer: Delaying retirement (even by a few years) allows for more savings accumulation, more time for compound growth, and a higher Social Security benefit.
• Downsize Expenses: Plan to move to a lower-cost home or area to reduce living expenses in retirement.
• Consider a Second Income: Utilize a side hustle or part-time work to accelerate savings.

Long-Term Strategy:

• Aggressive Investing: If you are behind, you may need a higher allocation in stocks for growth, but balance this with your risk tolerance.
• Use HSAs: Use a Health Savings Account (HSA) if eligible, as they offer triple tax benefits for medical costs in retirement.
• Consult a Professional: A financial advisor can help create a tailored plan to maximize your situation.

It is never too late to start, and even small, consistent contributions can make a difference.

If you’re behind on retirement savings, the good news is that you still have options—but the approach shifts from “perfect early planning” to focused, higher-intensity catch-up planning.

Here’s a practical way to start:

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1. Get a clear picture of where you stand

Before anything else, estimate:

• What you’ve already saved (401(k), IRA, brokerage, etc.)

• When you realistically want to retire

• How much income you’ll likely need per year

A common rule of thumb is aiming for about 10× your income by retirement age (around 67) Saving for Retirement: How to Catch Up If You’re Behind.
This isn’t exact—it’s just a benchmark to see how big the gap is.

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2. Don’t try to “fix everything at once”—build a catch-up plan

The core idea across most retirement planning advice is simple:
increase savings rate + optimize time left + reduce leaks (debt/spending) citizensbank.com

Start with:

• A realistic monthly savings target (even if it feels high)

• A budget that forces room for retirement contributions

• A timeline (10–25 years vs. 30–40 years matters a lot)

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3. Max out tax-advantaged accounts first

If you’re behind, these matter more than ever:

• 401(k) (especially with employer match)

• Traditional or Roth IRA

• HSA (if you qualify)

Why:

• Tax advantages amplify growth

• Employer match = instant return

If you’re 50+, you may also be eligible for “catch-up contributions” (extra allowed annual contributions to retirement accounts) Catching Up on Savings as Retirement Approaches | J.P. Morgan.

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4. Increase your savings rate aggressively (this is the biggest lever)

Most people who catch up do it by:

• Increasing savings from ~10–15% → 20–30%+ of income

• Redirecting raises/bonuses entirely into retirement

• Temporarily living below their means while catching up

Even small increases matter because compounding time is shorter for you now.

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5. Close “financial leaks” (this is underrated)

Look for:

• High-interest debt (credit cards especially)

• Lifestyle inflation (upgrading spending faster than income)

• Unused subscriptions or recurring costs

Every dollar freed is a dollar that can work for you.

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6. Consider working longer or earning more (optional but powerful)

If you’re behind, two big accelerators are:

• Working 2–5 extra years

• Increasing income (side work, skill upgrades, job change)

Even a few extra working years can significantly reduce how much you need saved monthly.

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7. Adjust expectations—not just savings

You may also need to decide:

• Retire later than originally planned, OR

• Reduce retirement spending expectations, OR

• Move to a lower-cost area later in life

This is part of making the math work, not a failure.

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8. Use simple “reset thinking”

Instead of “I’m behind,” shift to:

• “What do I need to save monthly from today forward to hit my target?”

That one question is more useful than comparing yourself to where you “should have been.”

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If you want, I can help you map it out

If you share:

• Age

• Income

• Current savings

• Desired retirement age

I can estimate:

• How far behind you are

• A realistic monthly savings target

• What tradeoffs (saving rate vs retirement age) look like

No fluff—just numbers and options.