July 15, 2022

Ages 35, 50 and 65: How Much Should I Have Saved?

Ages 35, 50 and 65: How Much Should I Have Saved?

Determining how much you should have saved for retirement at different points of your life can be difficult due to income fluctuations and the inherent subjectivity of expectations and lifestyle preferences.

Some people look forward to simple retirement living in their current home for as long as possible. Others plan on setting up a home base in a pricey senior living community and traveling the world. Those two retirement dreams require significantly different retirement resources.

Your retirement savings potential will be based on your income and expenses. Families raising children may have less savings bandwidth in their budget while a couple with significant household income and no children may be able to put aside a considerable portion of their income each year.

Retirement Savings Rule of Thumb

Retirement advisors have differing opinions on what your retirement saving thresholds should be at certain ages.

One rule of thumb is to have the equivalent of double your annual salary in some kind of retirement savings account by the time you’re 35. If you’re making $80,000 a year in your mid 30s, you should have $160,000 in your 401(k)s and IRAs. Some retirement advisors recommend lower multiples, like one and a half times your annual income saved at 35.

It’s not uncommon for retirement advisors to recommend graduated levels of multiples, like:

  • One and a half times your salary at 35
  • Three to five and a half times your salary at 50
  • Seven to 13.5 times your salary at 65

While the dramatic increase in multiple towards the end of your working years may feel intimidating, it’s not as painful as it might initially appear. When retirement savers invest wisely, their money can grow at a significant rate each year.

Consider the above example with the 35-year-old who has saved $160,000 for retirement. Imagine they managed to maintain a healthy return of eight percent over the next 30 years. That initial $160,000 would grow to nearly $1.07 million by the time the saver reaches their 65th birthday.

Of course, most retirement savers don’t stop saving at the age of 35, so additional yearly investments will similarly have a chance to grow. Hitting 10-times or 15-times your annual income in savings at the age of 65 is not at all unattainable when you’ve been putting money away in well managed retirement accounts for several decades.

However, starting early is absolutely key since you’ll be relying on compound growth to a significant degree. You’ll also need to maximize your compound annual growth rate (CAGR) if you want to make the most of your early retirement investing funds.

What About Economic and Market Downturns?

Investors in 2022 have been given a harsh reminder that equities can experience dramatic fluctuations. Everyone, including retirees, are also coping with some of the highest inflation rates in more than 40 years.

Now more than ever you might be grappling with the fact that your CAGR isn’t set in stone. However, you shouldn’t lose perspective on long-term retirement investment growth rates over the long term. There will always be good years and bad years in the market. One year you might see a 15 or 20 percent growth rate and the next you experience stagnation or even losses. Over the long term you should ideally see retirement savings growth average out to a healthy rate.

Not every sector is impacted equally by the current economic challenges the world is facing. For example, tech companies have seen significant drops while some energy companies have managed to stay in positive territory.

Not every investment is the same, and different industries and asset classes experience varying degrees of hardship depending on a number of complex variables.

The average retirement saver who runs a business or works 40-plus hours a week while raising children may not have loads of free time to analyze the market and micromanage their retirement savings accounts. That’s why companies like Fullerton Financial Planning exist.

The services offered by our investment managersand retirement planners are particularly important during difficult economic times. We strive to protect not only the principal investments of our clients but also the returns they’ve secured over the years.

Learn how we can help protect your nest egg by calling us at (623) 974-0300.

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What We’ll Cover in Your Retirement Review


Lifestyle Goals

What do you want retirement to actually look like? Travel, freedom, family, security — we start with the life you want, then build around it.


Current Assets

We’ll review what you’ve built — and help uncover smarter ways to use your 401(k), IRA, or savings more effectively for retirement income.


Income Planning

We’ll identify where your income will come from — and how to make sure it covers what you care about without relying too heavily on the market.


Risk & Tax Exposure

We’ll evaluate how your plan holds up to taxes, longevity, healthcare costs, and market shifts — so your income stays steady, even when life doesn’t.


Long-Term Strategy

We’ll help you turn what you’ve saved into income that lasts — without sacrificing the lifestyle you worked so hard to build.


The Next Steps

By the end of the meeting, you’ll have clarity on what’s working, what’s missing, and what to do next.

What You Get With Fullerton

  • A retirement income plan built around your lifestyle goals — not a generic formula
  • A coordinated investment and withdrawal strategy that supports income for life
  • Social Security timing guidance to help you get the most from your benefits
  • A reliable income floor — often supported by high-quality annuities with GLWBs, when appropriate
  • Tax-smart withdrawal strategies designed to adapt to changing laws and future needs
  • Personalized guidance on Medicare and long-term care planning
  • A clear roadmap for RMDs, Roth conversions, and income sequencing
  • Legacy and beneficiary planning that protects your spouse and supports your values
  • Ongoing reviews and proactive adjustments to keep your plan aligned as life evolves
  • Direct access to your advisor — no call centers, no hand-offs
  • A secure client portal with full access to your plan and documents
    Invitations to Fullerton’s exclusive client events and appreciation gatherings
  • A local, retirement-minded community with shared goals and values
  • Financial confidence for your spouse and family — with clarity, not complexity
  • Experienced, time-tested guidance from a leading independent Arizona-based planning firm focused on your future

Income
Planning

A strategy to turn your savings into reliable, steady income — so your lifestyle stays on track in retirement.

Tax
Planning

Smart planning to reduce future taxes and keep more of your money working for you.

Health Care
Planning

Protection against rising healthcare costs, including long-term care, built into your plan.

Risk
Management

A clear approach to guarding your wealth from market swings, inflation, and the unexpected.

Real Estate
And Legacy
Planning

A plan for your assets and property that preserves your legacy and supports your loved ones.

Planning With Fullerton

Relationship Building

You’re not just another account. At Fullerton, every relationship begins with real conversation — taking time to understand your values, priorities, and goals. That connection becomes the foundation for a plan that’s built around you, not a formula.

Personalized Experience

No two retirements are the same. Your strategy will reflect your unique goals, lifestyle, and financial position. Everything is tailor-made: your income structured, your tax plan, and the preservation of legacy. The difference in the details — because it is built around you.

Holistic Approach

A good plan looks beyond the numbers. Your lifestyle, your family, your values — it’s all connected. That’s why our planning process considers every part of your life, not just your portfolio — leaving no stone unturned.

See What Fullerton Can Do For You

Going from "I hope this works" to "I know I'm covered".

Experience You Can Trust

Retirement is too important to trust to a generalist. That’s why for over 20 years, Fullerton Financial Planning has focused exclusively on helping people transition from work to retirement — and thrive throughout it. We’re not trying to be everything to everyone. We’re built to help you do one thing incredibly well: Turn your life savings into reliable income and lasting financial confidence.

Why Families Across Arizona Trust Fullerton

  • Over 20 years helping Arizona retirees create income that lasts
  • Trusted by more than 2,000 Arizona households — and growing
  • Independent, fiduciary-based advice — no quotas, no product push
  • Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP®) professionals on staff
  • Regularly featured on ABC15, MoneyRadio, and financial education outlets
  • Local, in-person service — no national call centers or rotating advisor teams
  • Planning approach integrates investments, income, tax, Medicare, and legacy goals
  • Collaborative relationships with CPAs, estate attorneys, and insurance professionals
  • Focused on education-first guidance, not sales pitches or one-size-fits-all plans
  • Supported by a dedicated client service team with a reputation for proactive care

“I was nervous about retiring — but they helped me see the whole picture and gave me confidence to move forward.”

— Mary J., Scottsdale


“They made a complicated plan feel simple. I wish we’d come here five years earlier.”

— Brian & Sandra T., Mesa


“They treated me like a person, not a portfolio. I never felt pressured — just supported.”

— Teresa D., Chandler


“Our old advisor never talked about income or taxes — this team gave us a plan we could actually live on.”

— Kevin M., Sun City

The Fullerton Family

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Stepping Up For the Community.

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