Retire Beam

Catch-Up Savings in Your 50s

If you are in your 50s and feel behind on retirement savings, I want you to hear this clearly: you are not “too late,” and you are not alone. I watched smart, hardworking people in HR benefits meetings freeze up because they assumed they missed their chance. The truth is you still have a very real...

About Mark Ellison

Hi, I’m Mark Ellison. Welcome to RetireBeam. If you’re here because retirement feels confusing, intimidating, or a little late to start, pull up a chair. You’re exactly who I built this site for. My job is to take the big, messy questions like “When should I take Social Security?” and “Am I saving...

The 80% Income Replacement Rule

If you have ever heard someone say, “You will need about 80% of your pre-retirement income to retire,” you are not alone. I used to hear it in HR all the time, usually right after someone opened their 401(k) statement and felt their stomach drop. The 80% income replacement rule is popular because...

Your Retirement Number in 5 Steps

If you have ever heard someone say, “You need $1 million to retire,” and immediately felt either panicked or skeptical, you are not alone. The truth is your retirement number is personal. It depends on your spending, your timeline, and your income sources like Social Security. Think of this like...

Retirement Savings Benchmarks by Age

If retirement savings has ever felt like a test you did not know you were taking, you are not alone. I spent years in HR watching smart, hardworking people panic because they did not know what “on track” even meant. Benchmarks give you a quick gut check, not a grade. They help you decide what to do...