Do you invest with projected returns to match what you need for retirement? If not, how much do you plan to accumulate?

Yes, to have a sense of how much is required for retirement and how far am I away from that goal. For me, having a plan (with actual numbers) allows me to work towards my goal better and acts as a form of motivation.

Compounding is key. The main thing would be to start asap and let compounding do its magic.