​If you want to live off even half of your final salary in retirement, you need to save 40% of your income over the next 30 years, she says. Regardless of Singapore or US, the thing about savings and retirement is very simply lifestyle choices. But maybe... these experts are just fear mongering... Similar to this post here. If the so called "expert" doesn't make some exaggerated claims, they won't get any air-time right? If they don't make people afraid, then they can't sell stuff right? If they make the target so unachievable, then people may get more concerned and contact them so that they can get more sales and more publicity right? Saving a lot is good. I saved more than 50% of my income when I was working. The thing about it is... financial planners/advisers aren't retired. They don't realize that after retirement, there are a lot of expenses that will go away....