For a number of reasons, your 50s is the time to start really amping up your retirement savings accounts. Although you hopefully opened a 401(k) or IRA in your 20s or 30s, this is the time to maximize your contributions. For starters, you’re likely at your peak earnings level, so you’ll be able to sock more away without it affecting your lifestyle. Second, once you reach age 50, you’re allowed to make “catch-up” contributions to your retirement plans. For 2022, you can contribute an extra $1,000 to your IRAs, for a total of $7,000 in any given year. But if you have a 401(k) plan, you can kick in an extra $6,500, for a total of $27,000 per year. If you earn enough money to be able to do it, this means you can put $270,000 in your 401(k) plan from age 50 to 60, which can provide a huge boost to your retirement nest egg.
