<prompt> Human: I work as a teacher in Illinois for a charter school. I know there is a certain percentage what is it? that you should dedicate to savings or retirement. I currently have 2 of my salary taken out and put towards retirement in a state teacher fund basically, I dont pay social security, but this works as a pension of sorts. My school contributes an additional 7, so 9 total standard for schools in Illinois.My question is, when calculating how much of my pay I put towards retirement, should I include this 9 or should I save on top of that?  <response>: Given the budget situation in Illinois, I would have zero faith in an Illinois state pension. I suggest saving 15 in addition to whatever pension deductions are being taken.If you will not have Social Security, and youre trusting a pension system that is funded at about 35 of its obligations, you could have a very, very challenging retirement. 