The Situation

The Goal Determines the Amount

Investment contribution amounts cannot be set correctly without knowing the goal they are serving. Retirement in 40 years requires a different monthly amount than retirement in 20. Investing to replace income requires a different target than investing to supplement it. The goal is the input — the amount is the output.

A contribution rate is not a financial goal. It is the mechanism that reaches one . Define the destination before calculating the vehicle speed.

— Worthune Decision Framework

• You contribute to investments but have never connected the amount to a specific outcome
• You're unsure whether your current contribution rate will actually achieve your retirement goals
• You've chosen your contribution rate based on a rule of thumb rather than your specific timeline and target