Saving 20% isn't going to cut it any more.  Especially if you are a professional or a small biz owner.  Those years lost in school and in startup ramp up need to be offset by maximizing savings in the peak years. And also because we are approaching a new paradigm of zero global growth (population and thus economic).  Right now we're on the 15 - 17 - 68 plan.  68% of our after tax income goes to net worth every year (Pay off debt, paid into portfolio).  And for the younger ones - please please please read the entire Money Mustache blog - be saving half or more of your after tax income.  He and his wife managed to reach a million in the bank and home paid off by age 31 doing it this way - and he retired age 31 too.  It might not be for you, but it is always worth reviewing and seeing it as a possibility, or at least an example of why you should not just blindly follow the cultural norms in our society to spend all your money and work at a miserable job till you're 60 or 70