...Experts also advise that at age 35, you should have at least a year's salary in your 401(k) or IRA. By age 45, three years' salary. And by retirement at age 67, you should have at least eight times your salary socked away.

If you put 6% of salary into your 401K and your company matches dollar for dollar, in 6 years you should have 72% of a years pay in your 401K, and investment returns can take you close to 100%.

So yes, a year's pay at age 35 is very possible. And those who plan to retire on their 401K should do at least that well, and maxing the plan at 15% or even more is even better.

Young people often are in the lower salary brackets and have many other needs for the funds. Fully funding a retirement plan is often difficult.

Still if you have less than one years salary in your 401k at 35, what have you been doing with your money. 6% is easy. Where has your money gone?