Retirement Retirement Planning

Here’s How Much You Should Have Saved for Retirement by Age 67, According to 1 Popular Rule

This number shows if you'll be able to retire on time.

By Catherine Collins , Edited by Laura Hohenstein

Updated Oct. 1, 2026

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If you're approaching retirement age and you want to know the amount you should have saved in order to never work again, leading financial institutions like Fidelity provide benchmarks that you can use to compare against your own nest egg.

Keep in mind that your 401(k) retirement plan is only one part of your retirement picture. You will likely also get Social Security, and many people have other streams of income, like pensions or business income. Here's everything you need to know about retiring by 67.

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The benchmark: Save 10x your salary by 67

Data from Fidelity shows that if you have 10 times your current salary saved by age 67, there's a good chance that your nest egg will last throughout your retirement. Of course, everybody has different spending habits and retirement lifestyle goals. What's more important than the number saved is how you decide to spend it. Your housing cost, location, health insurance needs, and other factors like whether you help your adult children all impact your total cash flow in retirement.

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What investing 10x your salary looks like at different income levels

Here are a few different examples of 10 times your salary, using different income ranges. If you make $50,000 a year, you need about $500,000 saved and invested for your retirement. If you make $75,000 a year, you would need $750,000 saved and invested. Again, you will likely also have Social Security income that will help create more income and cash flow in retirement. If you're married, and your spouse also has a retirement plan and Social Security income, you may need less than this. Keep in mind that these are benchmarks, not rules that you must follow in order to retire.

What people actually have saved, on average, by age 67

Edward Jones also provides data on the average retirement account balances in different age brackets. For example, people between 45 and 54 typically have about $313,220 saved for retirement. However, those aged 55 to 64 have $537,560, and those who are 67 to 74 have $609,230.

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Median retirement savings are not the same as average retirement savings

Keep in mind that the average retirement account numbers posted may not be reflective of what the typical American worker has saved. Usually, average retirement account numbers are brought up by high earners who max out their 401(k)s regularly. A much more accurate number would be retirement account median numbers. The median means that half of retirees have saved more than that number and half have saved less than that number. This is more reflective of an average-income worker by the time they retire.

If you're behind on your retirement savings, here's what to do

If you have not reached your goal retirement number by age 67, but you're ready to stop working, there are a few steps you can take in order to do so. Just because you don't have the exact retirement number that Fidelity recommends doesn't mean you can't find other ways to make retirement work on your terms.

For example, many retirees drop down to part-time work or switch to a less stressful job where they can get some social interaction and a small paycheck to supplement their Social Security income and retirement account withdrawals. There is also the option of downsizing in your home and moving to a less expensive part of the country. Finally, speaking with family members can help you decide whether or not other living arrangements, like moving in with a child, could help you to retire on time.

If you're ahead on your retirement savings, make sure you're taking these steps

Even those who are on track or ahead when it comes to retirement savings still need to take the steps to preserve their nest egg. That means creating a withdrawal plan that optimizes income and reduces your tax liability. Working with a financial advisor can help you determine the best withdrawal rate for you that allows you to have a balance of enjoying your retirement years while also helping ensure your nest egg lasts several decades.

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Your retirement success depends on numerous factors

Ultimately, your retirement years are highly personal to you. Somebody who manages their spending, lives on a budget, and has few wants can often retire with a smaller nest egg than another person who may have expensive taste or high spending habits. The best way to figure out if you're on track for your personal goals and lifestyle habits is to work with a financial advisor and an accountant to run the numbers in different scenarios for you. Understanding these numbers can help you decide whether or not you're able to retire successfully.

Bottom line

Retirees have many expenses to consider. The transition from a salaried income to a fixed income in retirement can be challenging for many people. Workers go from knowing that money is coming regularly in the form of paychecks to feeling like money is dwindling every time they make a withdrawal from their 401(k). However, with the right plan, you can feel secure in your retirement, even if you've made financial mistakes in the past.

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