How Much Should I Contribute To Retirement Plan? 
You should contribute to the maximum allowable in your retirement plan . It 's like paying yourself first . Some individual plans allow $ 5500 to $ 51000 for 2013 . Some employer sponsored plans like a 401 -LRB- k -RRB- , 403 -LRB- b -RRB- , 457 -LRB- b -RRB- permit $ 17500 in annual contributions . Keep in mind that some employers match some portion of your contributions . 