Mort to add to your numbers.
In 68 i was done with college, age 21 and looking for work. All asked about my draft status which was 1A so they said get your service out of the way and come see us. Two years later, service done and still no jobs. Work many of jobs for 1.25 to 1.50/hour and wife at 1.70/hour. No kids, no debt so it was okay.
At age 30, in 1977 found a life time job that at first paid $12,000/year. F/S showed a net worth of $3,868, debt of $7,132 and cash on hand of $1,700. Net worth was the car we bought and still have. Wife had about 5 part time jobs which enable us to make it to the end of each month. Two kids with three more coming in short order.
30 years later at age 60 had debt of $95,000, net worth of $195,000 with cash of $144,800. Friends were retiring but we still had kids, college and debt to pay, along with obtaining more funds into savings to retire on. There was no pension or the like from jobs so there was a need to keep working. Besides did love the job and would look forward to each morning.
At age 66 and 62 we both started drawing SS and along with some salary started putting those funds into savings and paying remaining debt of $65,000 off. Goal was to save what we felt was enough to retire on, decent vehicles and no debt with 75% of our current monthly income from SS. Goal was completed in those eight years. 70% of our savings was made during those last 8 years.
I was always felt that I had fail to provide for our retirement and at age 50, had a party but still could not see a ending and would have little for old age. But it did work out without establishing goals until age 66. Yes, work longer than many, do not have as much as some but more than some.
Lucky to have my health, badlands this fall could still climb the hills just a little slower and longer to do than those I hunted with but I still made it to the top every day. db