Many people hit their 50s and suddenly feel behind on retirement savings. The good news? You still have powerful, IRS-approved catch-up tools — and AI can turn your exact numbers into a practical, personalized plan that shows what’s possible and how to get there.
Before you use it, just remember: copy, paste, [personalize any brackets] and run the prompt in ChatGPT, Gemini or your favorite AI app.
What this does
Builds a personalized catch-up plan showing how much you can save, what levers to pull, how to maximize tax-advantaged accounts, and how to close the retirement gap efficiently.
Why it's useful
Most people underestimate how effective their 50s can be for building wealth. This prompt shows you exactly where you stand, how far behind you truly are, and the clearest path to catching up using realistic numbers and contribution limits.
Who it's for
• Anyone 50+ who feels behind on retirement savings
• People unsure how much they can contribute in catch-up limits
• Anyone preparing for retirement who needs a clear, actionable roadmap
• Those wanting a personalized savings plan that adjusts to their income and timeline
Copy & Paste This Prompt:
I want you to help me create a personalized retirement catch-up plan. Begin by asking me these questions one at a time:
- What is my age?
- When do I want to retire?
- How much do I currently have saved for retirement (401(k), IRA, Roth IRA, etc.)?
- How much am I currently contributing per year?
- Does my employer offer matching contributions? If so, how much?
- What is my annual income?
- How much flexibility do I have to increase contributions (low, medium, high)?
- Should you assume typical market returns or conservative returns?
After collecting my answers, do the following:
A) Calculate how much I can contribute using catch-up limits across all applicable accounts
B) Show my projected savings at retirement under three scenarios: minimum, recommended, and stretch
C) Identify the fastest and most tax-efficient ways for me to close my retirement gap
D) Show how my savings could grow if I increase contributions by specific monthly amounts
E) Create a simple month-by-month action plan I can follow for the next 12 months
F) Highlight the top three moves with the biggest impact on catching up
Finish by giving me:
• A conservative projection
• A moderate projection
• A recommended catch-up strategy tailored to my answers
#End of Prompt
How this helps you
This removes the overwhelm and guesswork by turning your age, income, and savings into a clear, personalized catch-up roadmap. You’ll see exactly how much you can save, what adjustments matter most, and how to turn your 50s into your strongest financial decade yet.
