Although 83% of Americans believe there’s no set age to achieve life milestones, nearly half (45%) wish they had started saving earlier, according to a recent Empower study. And when it comes to saving for retirement, in particular, Americans believe the ideal age to start is 27.
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Do experts agree? Here’s a look at the actual “ideal” age to start saving — and what to do if you’re already past that age and have yet to begin.
There is no one-size-fits-all perfect age to start saving for retirement — it’s simply “as early as you possibly can,” said Scott Schleicher, senior manager of advisory and planning at Empower.
“There’s an old saying in investing: ‘Time in the market beats timing the market,’” he said. “That’s especially true when it comes to retirement planning. The power of compounding — earning returns on your returns — is one of the most reliable forces in wealth building, but it needs time to work.”
Schleicher said to think of saving for retirement like planting a tree.
“If you plant it when you’re young, it has decades to grow, weather storms and provide shelter,” he said. “But if you wait until you’re 40 to plant that tree, you’ll be hoping for shade during retirement that may not arrive in time.”
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If you’re already past age 27 and feeling behind, don’t waste time with regret — take action.
“The IRS gives you some tools to help close the gap, and it starts with maximizing your contributions,” Schleicher said.
In 2025, you can contribute up to $23,500 to a 401(k). If you’re 50 or older, you can add an extra $7,500 in “catch-up” contributions.
“That’s over $30,000 per year you can shelter in a tax-deferred account,” Schleicher said. “And if your employer offers a match, don’t leave that money on the table — that’s free retirement savings.”
Another lever you can pull is the Roth 401(k), which uses after-tax dollars now in exchange for tax-free withdrawals later.
“The key is that taxes are either paid now or later — the Roth simply flips the sequence compared to a traditional IRA,” Schleicher said. “Roth IRAs offer some similar benefits, but the contribution ceiling is lower — $7,000 in 2025, or $8,000 if you’re over 50.”
Overall, the best ways to catch up are to stay aggressive with your savings rate, stay diversified with your investments and stay patient with your expectations, Schleicher said.