Want a more secure retirement? Plan as if Social Security will not exist . . .

There is a great chart in this article showing how saving $500 per month (at a 7% rate of return) will enhance your retirement's success rate.  At $500 per month you are only saving $6,000 per year (far below what your 401k plan allows).  For example (in calendar year 2018):

  • Employees under age 50 can save up to $18,500 per yer in their employer sponsored 401k plan, plus any employer matches, plus up to $5,500 in an IRA; or

  • Employees over age 50 can save up to $18,500 per yer in their employer sponsored 401k plan, plus a $6,000 401k catch-up contribution, plus any employer matches, plus up to $5,500 in an IRA, plus a $1,000 IRA catch-up contribution.

Notably, even saving at $500 per month from the age of 25 (at a 7% rate of return), one can amass nearly $1.7M by age 70 (per the article).  Not a bad a result for a small (noting that everything is relative) sacrifice!  However, start at the age of 50 and you will only accrue $246K . . . it pays to help youself and your children to start saving early for retirment!