Making Over $100,000 A Year? Here's How Big Your Retirement Nest Egg Should Be In Your 40s, 50s, And 60s If You Want To Retire Rich

Let's be real—retirement savings can feel like a giant, moving target. You hear numbers tossed around, but what does it actually take to retire comfortably if you're making $100,000, $150,000, or even $200,000 a year? If you’re earning six figures, you know the lifestyle you want isn't cheap. 

Are you on track or is it time to kick your savings into high gear?

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Retirement Savings Benchmarks for High Earners

According to Edward Jones, here are generalized retirement savings goalposts based on age and salary:

Ages 40-44:

• $100,000 salary: $245,000 – $420,000
• $150,000 salary: $490,000 – $795,000
• $200,000 salary: $810,000 – $1,255,000

Ages 45-49:

• $100,000 salary: $450,000 – $565,000
• $150,000 salary: $840,000 – $1,040,000
• $200,000 salary: $1,325,000 – $1,615,000

Ages 50-54:

• $100,000 salary: $500,000 – $735,000
• $150,000 salary: $920,000 – $1,320,000
• $200,000 salary: $1,430,000 – $2,025,000

Ages 55-59:

• $100,000 salary: $775,000 – $930,000
• $150,000 salary: $1,385,000 – $1,650,000
• $200,000 salary: $1,815,000 – $2,500,000

Ages 60-65:

• $100,000 salary: $845,000 – $1,205,000
• $150,000 salary: $1,490,000 – $2,110,000
• $200,000 salary: $2,260,000 – $3,170,000

Trending: Can you guess how many Americans successfully retire with $1,000,000 saved? The percentage may shock you.

Understanding These Numbers

• $100,000 Earners: By 40, aim to have saved at least 2.5 times your salary, increasing to 12 times or more by 65.
• $150,000 Earners: By 40, target around 3.3 times your salary, reaching 14 times or more by 65.
• $200,000 Earners: Expect to have 4 times your salary saved by 40, growing to 16 times or more by 65 to maintain your high-income lifestyle.

Strategies to Stay on Track

Financial guru Dave Ramsey provided some investment options for high-income earners in a  Ramsey Solutions blog post back in October. Some of the options mentioned where: 

1. Maximize Retirement Contributions: Utilize tax-advantaged accounts like 401(k)s and IRAs. For 2025, the contribution limits are $23,000 for 401(k)s and $7,000 for IRAs, with additional catch-up contributions if you're 50 or older.
2. Explore Backdoor Roth IRAs: High-income earners often exceed the income limits for direct Roth IRA contributions. However, a backdoor Roth IRA allows you to convert a traditional IRA into a Roth IRA, enabling tax-free growth and withdrawals in retirement. 
3. Consider Health Savings Accounts (HSAs): If you have a high-deductible health plan, an HSA offers triple tax advantages: contributions are tax-deductible, growth is tax-free, and withdrawals for qualified medical expenses are tax-free. 
4. Invest Beyond Traditional Accounts: Taxable brokerage accounts, real estate, and other assets can provide additional growth and income streams.
5. Monitor Lifestyle Inflation: Maintain a balance between enjoying your income and saving for the future. Avoid unnecessary lifestyle upgrades that can impede your savings goals.
6. Plan for Healthcare Costs: Healthcare can be a significant expense in retirement. Consider long-term care insurance and continue contributing to HSAs to prepare for these costs.
7. Seek Professional Guidance: Regular consultations with a financial advisor can help tailor your investment strategies to your goals and keep you informed about changes in tax laws and investment opportunities.

Achieving a comfortable retirement requires proactive planning, especially for high earners. By setting clear savings targets and exploring various investment avenues, you can work towards a financially secure future. Remember, the earlier you start and the more consistently you save and invest, the better positioned you'll be to enjoy your retirement years.

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