Financial Milestones by Age: What to Have Saved at 25, 30, 40, 50
Simple benchmarks for every decade of your financial life.
Financial planning is easier with clear targets. These benchmarks represent the 50th-75th percentile — not perfection, but solid progress. If you are behind, the best time to catch up is now.
By Age 25
Emergency fund: $1,000-5,000. Retirement savings: $5,000-15,000. Net worth: $10,000-25,000. Key move: start investing in your 401(k) to get the employer match. Even $100/month matters enormously at this age.
By Age 30
Emergency fund: 3 months expenses. Retirement savings: 1x annual salary ($50,000-75,000). Net worth: $50,000-100,000. Key move: automate 15-20% savings rate. Eliminate all high-interest debt.
By Age 40
Emergency fund: 6 months expenses. Retirement savings: 3x annual salary. Net worth: $200,000-500,000. Key move: maximize tax-advantaged accounts. Begin thinking about college savings if applicable.
By Age 50
Emergency fund: 6-12 months expenses. Retirement savings: 6x annual salary. Net worth: $500,000-1,000,000. Key move: catch-up contributions allowed in 401(k) and IRA. Refine retirement date target.