Experts: Here's How Much You Should Have in Your Investment …

GoBankingRatesJohn CsiszarUpdated April 4, 2023, 5:05 AMMongkol Onnuan / Getty Images/iStockphotoMongkol Onnuan / Getty Images/iStockphoto

There’s no exact “right or wrong” number you should have in your investment account as it will vary based on your personal financial situation. However, if you’re looking to accumulate a certain amount by the time you retire, it’s a good idea to have checkpoints along the way so that you know you’re on the right track. The amount you should have in your investment account, therefore, is a combination of how old you are, how much you’re earning, how aggressive you are with your investments and how much you think you’ll need to fund your specific retirement lifestyle.

Find Out: What Happens to Social Security When You Die?
See: 3 Ways To Recession-Proof Your Retirement
As it can be hard to nail down all of these variables, it’s best to work with a financial advisor. However, to get a head start on your planning, here’s a look at the amounts you might want in your investment account at various times in your life, and according to various other parameters.

How Much Should You Be Setting Aside?

When you start your savings and investment program, there are two ways to determine how much you should set aside.

The first is a dollar amount and the second is a percentage of your earnings. Setting aside a dollar amount may be easier in terms of calculating your future nest egg, but choosing a percentage of your income to save may be more practical. Imagine that you want to have £1 million in your investment account by the time you retire.

Using any of a number of calculators that are available online, you can simply plug in your age and your expected rate of return to determine how much you need to put in your investment account every month. While numerous variables will affect this amount over time, it’s a good place to start. If you use the “dollar amount” strategy, however, it may not mirror the realities of your own cash flow.

If you calculate that you need to set aside £1,000 per month to reach your long-term savings goal but you only earn £2,000 per month, that’s a pretty unrealistic goal. On the other hand, if the calculator tells you that you only need to save £400 per month but you earn £10,000, you should clearly have room to beef up your savings. Using the “percentage strategy,” most advisors suggest that you should attempt to put aside at least 10% per month into your savings and investment accounts.

But some say that should be even higher. As Mark Henry, founder and CEO at Alloy Wealth Management, told Fortune magazine, “Ideally, you’ll invest somewhere around 15%-25% of your post-tax income. If you need to start smaller and work your way up to that goal, that’s fine.

The important part is that you actually start.” Take Our Poll: Do You Think the US Should Raise the Medicare Tax on High Earners To Help Save the Program?

How Much Should You Have at Various Ages?

It’s common in the financial industry to publish tables of how much money you should have in your investment account at various ages. Fidelity is one of the most well-known providers of this type of information, and it uses a clever way to arrive at a figure that’s tailored to each individual investor.

Specifically, the experts at Fidelity recommend that you have this much money in your investment account at each age:

  • Age 30: 1x your salary

  • Age 40: 3x your salary

  • Age 50: 6x your salary

  • Age 60: 8x your salary

  • Age 67 (full retirement age for most drawing Social Security): 10x your salary

These are excellent general guidelines, but you’ll have to adapt them to your specific lifestyle. For example, if your idea of retirement is around-the-world cruises and private jets, you’ll likely need more than 10x your salary by the time you retire. The opposite is also true — if you plan to hunker down and live a quiet, self-sustaining lifestyle, you may not need as much.

But the general outline is solid. If you’re earning £50,000 at age 40, for example, Fidelity recommends you have £150,000 in your account. If your earnings have jumped to £75,000 by age 60, then you should have £600,000.

The Bottom Line

The amount you should save varies based on your personal financial situation.

However, experts recommend using guidelines that you can tweak to meet your own needs so that you stay on track with your retirement goals. Start by estimating how much you think you might need to fund your retirement lifestyle and work backward. Constantly monitor your progress as you move through life, and work closely with a financial advisor to help you devise savings and investment strategies that can help you reach your goals.

More From GOBankingRates

This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: Experts: Here’s How Much You Should Have in Your Investment Account

Originally published April 4, 2023, 5:00 AM

chester-zoo listed on couponmatrix.ukdfds-seaways listed on couponmatrix.ukfrescobol-carioca listed on couponmatrix.ukinkey-list listed on couponmatrix.uksnapmad listed on couponmatrix.ukupham-inns listed on couponmatrix.uk
chester-zoo listed on couponmatrix.ukChester Zoo is the most-visited wildlife attraction in the UK and the backdrop for Channel 4’s ‘The Secret Life of the Zoo’, so it’s fair to say this isn’t your ordinary zoo! With over 27,000 animals calling it home, your visit is bound to include encounters with creatures like the Madagascan tree boa, black rhinoceros, Ecuadorian Amazon parrot and Sumatran tiger. As you explore the zoo, you’ll wander through enchanting gardens blooming with rare plants and orchids. A day at Chester Zoo is both entertaining and supports vital conservation efforts for mammals, birds, amphibians and plants of all sizes. While members enjoy unlimited free entry, you can still save on tickets by booking online using a Chester Zoo discount. If you’re able to book in advance, you’ll secure at least 10% off your Chester Zoo tickets.
dfds-seaways listed on couponmatrix.ukSailing with DFDS Seaways is oh so much fun! You will find comfort, convenience and of course bracing, expansive views of the English Channel and North Sea. With a fleet of vessels that are designed around you and your comfort you can truly sit back and relax as you are whisked effortlessly to your destination, and with a DFDS voucher code from Groupon your journey won’t break the bank.
frescobol-carioca listed on couponmatrix.ukFrescobol Carioca is a luxury swim and resort wear brand that was born on the beaches of Rio de Janeiro. Frescobol Carioca's designs are inspired by the colours and energy of Brazil, and the brand has become synonymous with summertime style. Whether you're looking for swimwear, beachwear or vacation attire, Frescobol Carioca has something to suit every taste. And now, thanks to our Frescobol Carioca discount codes, you can enjoy even greater savings on your next purchase! Here at Groupon, we are always on the lookout for ways to help you save money. That's why with our help, you can get the best Frescobol Carioca discount codes today. With this code, you can enjoy savings on your next purchase from Frescobol Carioca. So whether you're looking for a new swimsuit or just some vacation-ready attire and accessories, be sure to check out our discount code before you shop. One of our top-performing products from Frescobol Carioca is the Men's Swim Trunks. These trunks are made from quick-drying fabric and feature an elastic waistband for a comfortable fit. They're perfect for a day at the beach or poolside lounging. So check out our page, to see if you can save even more on these trunks with our Frescobol Carioca promo code. So don't wait, grab your promo code and head to Frescobol Carioca today!
inkey-list listed on couponmatrix.ukSkincare gurus at the INKEY List are all about affordable products that do the job – whether that’s targeting acne, dry skin or hair loss. From soothing masks to powerful retinol treatments, the INKEY List aims to arm you with the knowledge to choose the right supplies and ingredients for your skin. Budget-friendly and award-winning, use an INKEY List discount to get your hands on more skincare goodies for less. Whether it’s a 15% discount or a cheeky free gift, we’ve got the best INKEY List deals here at Groupon.
snapmad listed on couponmatrix.ukImmortalise your favourite photos with a little assistance from Snapmad, experts in putting your best snapshots onto frames, prints and personalised gifts. Be it a personalised star map, a photographed mug or a collection of new baby photos, put together your preferred photo gift for less with a Snapmad discount code. Even if you’re seeking suitably-sized photos for a new passport, you can snag a set of six for far less than normal at Snapmad. At Groupon, we know that saving money is important to our customers. That's why we work hard to find the best discount codes for Snapmad.com. We scour the web for the latest coupons and deals, so you can be sure you're getting the biggest discount possible. And because we update our coupons regularly, you'll always have access to the most current offers. So whether you're looking for a discount on your next purchase, or you want to save big on your next project, Groupon has you covered. A modern way to relive some classic memories, Snapmad canvas prints combine convenience with quality. Single out a particular favourite, create a collage or make it more ornate by converting to a wood canvas, then knock the cost of your finished product with a Snapmad coupon code from Groupon. Aspiring artists can even ditch the print part entirely and instead pick up a blank canvas on which to create their next inspiration.
upham-inns listed on couponmatrix.ukUpham Inns is a quintessentially British pub company, offering charming venues for wining, dining and even an overnight stay. Nestled in the heart of Hampshire, Berkshire, Sussex and Wiltshire, Upham Inns is expanding steadily, with each pub exuding its own unique charm and character. Whether you plan to spend the night or simply relish afternoon tea, don't forget to take advantage of an Upham Inns discount code from Groupon to trim your bill. When it comes to a pub experience, you can't go wrong with British classics, including delicious regional specialities and a cold pint.