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Well Balanced | Financial Planning, Bucket-Based Investing, Market Perspective, Wealth Management. A passionate and entertaining look at money and investing in and for retirement. For those that enjoy podcasts like Smart Money, On Investing, and BiggerPockets, Well Balanced is worth adding to your feed. Disclosures about our firm and this podcast. Vector Wealth Management is registered as an investment adviser with the Securities Exchange Commission (SEC). Registration as an investment adviser does not constitute an endorsement of the firm by securities regulators nor does it indicate that the adviser has attained a particular level of skill or ability. A copy of Vector’s current written disclosure brochure filed with the SEC discusses among other things, Vector’s business practices, services, and fees, and is available through the SEC’s website at: www.adviserinfo.sec.gov. All content in this podcast is for information purposes. Opinions expressed herein are solely those of Vector Wealth Management, our staff, and guests. Material presented is believed to be from reliable sources, however, we make no representations as to its accuracy or completeness. All information and ideas should be discussed directly and in detail with your financial advisor prior to implementation. This podcast and related content are not intended to render personalized investment advice, nor should it be viewed as an offer to buy or sell, or a solicitation of any offer to buy or sell the securities or strategies discussed. Please note that neither Vector Wealth Management nor any of its agents give legal or tax advice. The firm is not engaged in the practice of law or accounting. Charts, graphs, and returns do not represent the performance of Vector Wealth Management or any of its advisory clients. Returns do not reflect the impact that advisory fees and other expenses would on the results. Different types of investments involve varying degrees of risk, and there can be no assurance that any specific investment or strategy will be suitable or profitable for a client’s portfolio. All investment strategies have the potential for profit or loss. Past performance is not indicative of future performance. Visit vectorwealth.com/regulatory for the firms form CRS and ADV.
Episodes
Friday Jun 06, 2025
Friday Jun 06, 2025
In this episode of Vector’s Well Balanced Podcast, our communications director Ezra and wealth manager Charlie Gruys explore retirement savings goals through practical examples, benchmarks, and financial planning insights.
They discuss how income multiples (example: 6x annual income = investable savings at 55 years) can help guide retirement preparedness. The conversation presents two household scenarios: 10 years from retirement, earning $250,000 annually but starting with different asset bases ($500K vs. $1M).
These examples illustrate the impact of savings contributions and hypothetical return rates in achieving a $2.5 million retirement goal by age 65. They talk about how rules-of-thumb such as “10x income at retirement” and “15% savings rate” are useful, effective planning must be tailored to the individual’s unique circumstances, including investment allocation, inflation assumptions, taxes, retirement age, and desired legacy.
7 Key Takeaways
1. Rules of Thumb Provide a Starting Point. Common benchmarks—like saving 3–4x income by age 45, 6x by 55, and 10x by retirement—are helpful guidelines, but not definitive prescriptions.
2. A 15% Savings Rate Is a Solid Target. Contributing approximately 15% of income toward retirement (including employer matches) is a widely accepted and achievable goal for many.
3. Investment Returns Significantly Impact Savings Needs. Assumed returns of 4%, 8%, or 12% greatly influence monthly savings requirements. Higher returns reduce the need for large monthly contributions, but are harder to sustain consistently.
4. Asset Location and Tax Considerations Matter. Saving in tax-advantaged accounts (e.g., 401(k)s, IRAs) and ensuring assets are invested appropriately—not merely saved in low-yield accounts—is essential for long-term growth.
5. Personal Factors Affect Retirement Needs. Variables such as lifestyle, health, debts, retirement age, and longevity expectations all play critical roles in determining appropriate savings goals.
6. Inflation Assumptions Should Be Tailored. While 3% is a standard inflation assumption, personalized inflation rates for categories like travel or healthcare may offer better forecasting accuracy.
7. Legacy Goals and Risk Tolerance Influence Planning. Whether a retiree wishes to leave a financial legacy or spend down their assets affects savings targets and investment strategy, especially as market volatility becomes harder to stomach near or in retirement.
- vectorwealth.com/start
- vectorwealth.com/regulatory
All content discussed in our podcasts, videos, or related blog articles are for informational purposes and should not be construed as individualized financial advice. Opinions expressed herein are solely those of Vector Wealth Management, our staff, and guests. Material presented is believed to be from reliable sources, however, we make no representations as to its accuracy or completeness. All information and ideas should be discussed directly and in detail with your financial advisor prior to implementation of a strategy or investment. This podcast and related content are not intended to render personalized investment advice, nor should it be viewed as an offer to buy or sell, or a solicitation of any offer to buy or sell the securities or strategies discussed.
- V25149249
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