Retirement, in plain English.
How much you actually need, and the rules of thumb that get you there
North-star rule of thumb
Save 15% of gross income (including employer match)
A common rule of thumb — captures most of the value for most US workers. Your number will be different if you started late, have a pension, or expect a big inheritance.
The overview
Retirement planning has one big number — how much you'll need on the day you stop working — and a small number of decisions that move it: how much you save each month, how it's invested, how long it has to grow, and how much you'll spend in retirement. Everything else is detail.
The good news: your future self is more sensitive to time than to perfect optimization. Starting ten years earlier almost always beats picking the perfect fund. The Retirement Basics calculator below shows what a steady savings rate plus an employer match builds over a career — and the 1% nudge that makes a five-figure difference at the finish line.
We'll cover the accounts (401(k), IRA, Roth vs Traditional, HSA), the strategies (employer match capture, asset allocation by age, the 4% withdrawal rule, Social Security timing), and the milestones that mean you're on track at 30, 40, 50, and 60. Every number on this page links to a sourced calculator or a deeper Money Scale lesson.
What we don't do: tell you which fund to pick or which retirement age is 'right' for you. That's not what plain-English education is for. Use the calculators to understand the trade-offs, then talk to a fiduciary advisor for advice that fits your specific situation.
Run the math
The calculators that ground this hub. Free, sourced defaults, your inputs never leave your browser.
Learn the basics
Bite-sized lessons with quizzes and XP. Two minutes a day.
Deeper reads in this guide
Each one is a focused, plain-English breakdown. Articles markedComing soonwill publish on the moneyscale.app weekly content rhythm.
How much do I need to retire at 65?
Coming soonThe real math behind a retirement number — and three ways to sanity-check yours.
401(k) vs Roth 401(k)
Coming soonPre-tax now or tax-free later — and the rule that actually decides for you.
IRA vs 401(k)
Coming soonSide-by-side: contribution limits, employer match, withdrawal rules, and when to use which.
The 4% rule, explained
Where the 4% rule came from, when it works, and the cases where it doesn't.
Your employer match is part of your salary
If you're not capturing the full match, you're leaving five figures on the table.
Coast FIRE vs full FIRE
Coming soonTwo paths to the same finish line — and the savings rate that picks which one you're on.
Can I retire with $1 million?
Coming soonThe honest answer depends on three variables. Run the numbers.
2026 IRS contribution limits — 401(k), IRA, HSA, more
Coming soonAll the limits, what changed, and the catch-up rules at 50+.
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Not financial advice
Money Scale provides educational information about personal finance. For decisions that affect your money in a material way, consult a licensed professional you've personally vetted. See our affiliate disclosure for how we keep this site free.