The Rule of 55 in a 401(k): One Way to Fund Early Retirement

A man in his 50s relaxes on a a sailboat at sunset. he is grinning.

The kids may really be alright. Young professionals today seem to be taking retirement more seriously than ever. According to a 2025 survey by Northwestern Mutual, the average Gen Zer and millennial start saving for retirement in their 20s, compared to Gen Xers and baby boomers, who typically began in their 30s.

Access to more personal finance advice certainly helps, but a key motivator is the desire to retire earlier. A YouGov poll found that 30% of millennials expect to retire between the ages of 51 and 60.