Turning 50? See if you're on track. Catch-up contributions, Social Security timing, and our 2026 calculator.
At 50 you enter the home stretch of retirement saving — and the IRS gives you a boost. Catch-up contributions allow an extra $7,500/year in your 401(k) (total $31,000) and an extra $1,000/year in your IRA (total $8,000) in 2026.
With 15 years until 65, you still benefit meaningfully from compound growth — a $300,000 portfolio growing at 6.5% doubles in about 11 years. The key is staying invested and maximizing contributions through your peak earning years.
Sequence-of-returns risk becomes more important at 50. Consider shifting gradually toward a more conservative allocation — a common rule of thumb is 110 minus your age in stocks. At 50, that's 60% stocks, 40% bonds.
Fidelity suggests 6× your salary by age 50. For a $90,000 income that's $540,000. If you're behind, max out 401(k) catch-up contributions and consider delaying retirement by a few years.
In 2026, workers 50+ can contribute an extra $7,500 to their 401(k) (total $31,000) and an extra $1,000 to an IRA (total $8,000). These catch-up limits are indexed to inflation.
Create a free account at SSA.gov/myaccount to see your estimated benefits at ages 62, 67, and 70. Delaying Social Security to 70 increases your monthly benefit by approximately 8% per year.