Follow the Retirement Timeline

Use our step-by-step guide to find out what you need to do -- and when to do it -- to secure your financial future.

It's never too early to start saving for retirement. But your strategy at 25 won't be the same as when you're 65.

In fact, as you get older, there are some key ages you want to keep in mind. For example, once you hit age 50 you can boost how much you contribute to your 401(k) and IRA because you'll qualify for "catch up" contributions. By the time you turn age 59 1/2, you can access money in IRAs and other retirement accounts without having to worry about incurring early-withdrawal penalties, which disappear at this age.

Subscribe to Kiplinger’s Personal Finance

Be a smarter, better informed investor.

Save up to 74%
https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/hwgJ7osrMtUWhk5koeVme7-200-80.png

Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free E-Newsletters

Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.

Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.

Sign up

To continue reading this article
please register for free

This is different from signing in to your print subscription


Why am I seeing this? Find out more here