If I can only save a small amount, should I bother?

Yes! The power of compounding and the tax benefits (if is a tax-qualified/deferred account), combined with market growth over time, despite periodic volatility, cause retirement accounts to grow faster than most people think. Start with what you can now, and plan to increase each year until you reach your necessary savings rate. Increasing after receiving a raise and/or a bonus is a particularly good time to do so, because you won’t miss it relative to your prior income level. And congrats on that past or future raise!