<prompt> Human: Hello PF community, First time poster, long time lurker. My question relates to this comment in the flowchart: Are you currently saving at least 15 of your pre-tax income for retirement? Does that 15 include any Employer matches or bonuses or just Employee contributions?My situation is that if you factor in Employer matches at both of our companies and a 5.5 contribution bonus each year from my wifes company, we are saving 14.7 of pre-tax income or right in line with where we should be. We are only at 7 of yearly pre-tax income if I exclude the matchesbonus. Obviously, the more money the merrier for retirement, but I was hoping to clarify this point moving forward. Thank you in advance for the help! This sub has been wonderful to keep up with!  <response>: I wouldnt take the chart too literally. Its advice many people suggest, but you can adapt it to your own circumstances. Its not holy writ.The main reason youd calculate without including employer contributions is because it implies a lower expense rate. If your expenses are lower e.g. because the money is going into savings, then your retirement needs are presumed to be lower.If your budget can accommodate a higher contribution rate, then you can do so. But the principal thing you need to do is figure out your retirement needs, adjusted for inflation, and figure out how much you must have saved by the time you start drawing down your retirement savings.Your savings rate and expense rate should be keyed to your situation and goals, rather than to arbitrary rules like 15. 