We Got a Late Start on Saving… Are We Off Track?

“We finished our PhDs, raised kids, and now we’re 50. We’ve saved some, but it feels like we’re seriously behind for retirement. Are we off track?”

Answer: This is a question we’ve been hearing more often—especially from people in their late 40s and early 50s. You’re not alone. Life doesn’t always follow a textbook financial planning timeline.

Maybe you were in school longer, building a career, or raising a family. Maybe you bought a home, juggled child care costs, or had a stretch where saving just wasn’t possible. Life happens—and it doesn’t always leave room for retirement contributions.

Yes, starting early helps. Having time on your side is ideal. But we don’t live in a perfect world. What we do have is right now—and for many people, that means a crucial window of 10 to 15 years to make up for lost time.

Here’s the good news: this phase of life often brings more stability. Kids are nearly grown. Expenses tied to raising a family may start to ease. Your mortgage or other debts might be nearing payoff. That frees up cash flow—and potential.

Even if you’re not quite there yet, there are still strategies we can use to catch up. What matters most is having a clear understanding of what retirement means to you. What does your ideal retirement look like? How much will you need to support it?

Once we answer those questions, we can reverse-engineer a plan. You don’t need to be perfect—you just need to be intentional from here on out.

After nearly 20 years in this profession, I’ve learned one key truth: people are incredibly adaptable. If you’ve saved something and you’re ready to get focused, you’re not behind—you’re just getting started on your next chapter.