How Long Will $400k Last in Retirement? - SmartAsset (2024)

How Long Will $400k Last in Retirement? - SmartAsset (1)

Data from the Federal Reserve shows that theaverage savings in the United States at retirement age is just $255,200. So if you find yourself with $400,000 in assets at retirement age, congratulations! You’re doing much better than average. But how long will your money last? The answer will depend on your investment allocation, spending habits, and other income streams. Here are some tools to help you determine your available assets and desired expenses so you can live the retirement you want on $400,000.

A financial advisor can help you create a financial plan for your retirement needs and goals.

How to Determine Your Assets and Available Income Streams

Knowing what you have available to you will have a huge impact on how long you can reasonably expect your money to last. Every source of income you can have in retirement will reduce the amount you need to withdraw from your portfolio. Sources of potential income can include:

  • Social Security benefits
  • Pensions
  • Part-Time Income
  • Rental income
  • Royalties
  • Dividend income
  • Interest income
  • Inheritances
  • Profit from selling a business or property

In addition to your $400,000 in retirement accounts, you may also have assets that can be used to supplement your income at a later date. Assets can include:

  • The equity you have in your home, which could be refinanced to reduce your mortgage or sold to purchase a smaller home in a lower-cost-of-living area to reduce your expenses.
  • Other real estate properties that could be sold or rented, such as vacation homes.
  • A second vehicle that could be sold if your household no longer needs two in retirement.
  • Recreational equipment like travel trailers, ATVs, Snowmobiles, and boats, could be sold or rented when you’re not using them.

Taking thorough stock of your assets can help you determine where your values lie and discover new income streams. Maybe you want to keep your family’s winter cabin until your youngest graduates. Determining what you’d like to sell and when can help you plan for your current and future expenses.

Determine Your Desired Expenses

How Long Will $400k Last in Retirement? - SmartAsset (2)

You’ve worked your entire life, and now it’s time to reap the rewards. While you want to make sure that future you is cared for, you also need to enjoy what you’ve worked for.

The realities of aging are hard to face, but there may come a time when you can no longer climb into a gondola to be rowed through Venice, or go on a whitewater rafting trip. The time to complete your bucket list isn’t when you’re wheelchair-bound in your nineties, but when you’ve finally got the time, money, and health to enjoy it.

Splurge a little, but keep track of what you’re spending and make sure it’s on what truly matters to you most. Balancing your desires for a rich life in your sixties shouldn’t come at the cost of being unable to afford home health care in your eighties.

Traditionally, financial advisors have agreed that the average retiree will need to replace 80% of their pre-retirement income with savings and Social Security benefits. But new research from the University of Michigan’s Retirement and Disability Research center suggests that retirement spending declines over time across all socioeconomic levels.

You still need to keep money set aside, but you may not need to anticipate spending 80% of your pre-retirement income every single year of retirement.

Safe Withdrawal Rate

Determining a safe withdrawal rate from your investments for their long-term use can be difficult. Expert opinions vary, but one widely accepted safe withdrawal rate follows the 4% rule, which was created based on the Trinity study published in 1998.

The rule essentially states that you can withdraw 4% annually from a well-diversified retirement portfolio, adjust your 4% every year for inflation, and expect your money to last for at least 30 years.

Using our portfolio of $400,000 and the 4% withdrawal rate, you could withdraw $16,000 annually from your retirement accounts and expect your money to last for at least 30 years. If, say, your Social Security checks are $2,000 monthly, you’d have a combined annual income in retirement of $40,000.

That may not be enough for your current lifestyle, so you may have to consider readjusting your priorities and expenses. If readjusting your expenses isn’t possible, liquidating assets, developing rental income streams, or finding meaningful part-time work may be necessary.

If you withdraw too much from your portfolio at the beginning of retirement, your investments won’t be able to grow and your available assets at the end of retirement will be impacted significantly. While you can expect to spend less later on, you’ll still want to be careful. Working with a financial advisor can help you see the individual impact of large portfolio withdrawals now on your financial health long term.

Bottom Line

How Long Will $400k Last in Retirement? - SmartAsset (3)

If you never spend your money then $400,00 will last indefinitely. The trick isn’t determining how long $400,000 will last you in retirement but how to best spend your $400,000. The more you spend now, the less you’ll have later. The less you spend now, the more you might wish you’d enjoyed the fruits of your savings while you still had the vitality to do it.

Nobody can tell you exactly where your values lie, or exactly when your time will run out. Only you can know which regret you’ll feel more acutely — the regret of not saving or the regret of not spending.

Retirement Planning Tips

  • A financial advisorcan help you create a financial plan for your retirement needs and goals.SmartAsset’s free tool matches you with up to three vetted financial advisorswho serve your area, and you can interview your advisor matches at no cost to decide which one is right for you. If you’re ready to find an advisor who can help you achieve your financial goals,get started now.
  • If you want to know how much money you will have by retirement, SmartAsset’s free calculator can help you get an estimate.

Photo credit: ©iStock/South_agency, ©iStock/staticnak1983, ©iStock/Luke Chan

How Long Will $400k Last in Retirement? - SmartAsset (2024)

FAQs

How Long Will $400k Last in Retirement? - SmartAsset? ›

Using our portfolio of $400,000 and the 4% withdrawal rate, you could withdraw $16,000 annually from your retirement accounts and expect your money to last for at least 30 years.

Is $800000 a good amount for retirement? ›

If you have substantial income from sources like a pension and Social Security, an $800,000 portfolio could last for many years. That's especially true if your expenses are low and you don't have significant health care expenses.

How much do I need in 401k to get $2000 a month? ›

To get approximately $2,000 per month from your 401k when you retire, you'll need to have saved around $800,000. To reach this goal, you must start saving as early as possible, contribute as much as possible to your 401k each year, and consistently invest in a diversified portfolio of stocks and bonds.

Can a couple retire on $400,000? ›

Yes, you can retire at 62 with four hundred thousand dollars. At age 62, an annuity will provide a guaranteed level income of $25,400 annually starting immediately for the rest of the insured's lifetime. The income will stay the same and never decrease.

What is the average 401k balance for a 65 year old? ›

Average and median 401(k) balance by age
AgeAverage Account BalanceMedian Account Balance
35-44$97,020$36,117
45-54$179,200$61,530
55-64$256,244$89,716
65+$279,997$87,725
2 more rows
Jan 20, 2023

What net worth is considered rich in retirement? ›

You might need $5 million to $10 million to qualify as having a very high net worth while it may take $30 million or more to be considered ultra-high net worth. That's how financial advisors typically view wealth.

What is considered high net worth retirement? ›

A high-net-worth individual (HNWI) is someone with liquid assets of at least $1 million. These individuals often seek the assistance of financial professionals to manage their money, and their high net worth qualifies them for additional benefits and investing opportunities that are closed to most.

At what age can you retire with $1 million dollars? ›

A recent analysis determined that a $1 million retirement nest egg may only last about 20 years depending on what state you live in. Based on this, if you retire at age 65 and live until you turn 84, $1 million will probably be enough retirement savings for you.

How much does the average 50 year old have in their 401k? ›

Fidelity Average 401(k) Balances by Age
AgeAverage 401k BalanceMedian 401k Balance
20-29$12,800$4,600
30-39$43,100$16,200
40-49$100,300$32,100
50-59$175,400$53,400
Apr 27, 2023

How long would $400 000 last in retirement? ›

The rule essentially states that you can withdraw 4% annually from a well-diversified retirement portfolio, adjust your 4% every year for inflation, and expect your money to last for at least 30 years.

What is a good monthly retirement income? ›

According to data from the BLS, average incomes in 2021 after taxes were as follows for older households: 65-74 years: $59,872 per year or $4,989 per month. 75 and older: $43,217 per year or $3,601 per month.

What percentage of retirees have a million dollars? ›

In fact, statistically, around 10% of retirees have $1 million or more in savings. The majority of retirees, however, have far less saved.

How much money does the average American retire with? ›

The national average for retirement savings varies depending on age, but according to the Economic Policy Institute, the median retirement savings for all working age households in the US is around $95,776. This figure includes both employer-sponsored retirement accounts and individual retirement accounts (IRAs).

What is a healthy 401k by age? ›

By age 40, you should have three times your annual salary already saved. By age 50, you should have six times your salary in an account. By age 60, you should have eight times your salary working for you. By age 67, your total savings total goal is 10 times the amount of your current annual salary.

How many Americans have no savings for retirement? ›

More than one quarter of Americans have no money saved for retirement, according to a new survey. Almost one in five people age 59 and older said they didn't have a retirement account, which compared to a quarter of Generation X respondents.

What percentage of US population has $2 million dollars? ›

Additionally, statistics show that the top 2% of the United States population has a net worth of about $2.4 million. On the other hand, the top 5% wealthiest Americans have a net worth of just over $1 million. Therefore, about 2% of the population possesses enough wealth to meet the current definition of being rich.

What percentage of Americans have a net worth of over $1000000? ›

There are 5.3 million millionaires and 770 billionaires living in the United States. Millionaires make up about 2% of the U.S. adult population. While an ultra-high net worth will be out of reach for most, you can amass $1 million by managing money well and investing regularly.

What percentage of US population has $3 million dollars? ›

What percentage of the U.S. population has $3 million dollars? According to The Kickass Entrepreneur, there are about 5,671,000 households in the U.S. that have a net worth of $3 million or more. This represents 4.41% of all U.S. households.

Do most retirees have a million dollars? ›

It's long been a rule of thumb that you should have $1 million saved before you retire — and you may actually need to have close to double that in many cases. But most retirees have far less. A recent survey conducted by Clever found that, on average, retirees have just $170,726 saved for retirement.

What is considered wealthy? ›

Based on that figure, an annual income of $500,000 or more would make you rich. The Economic Policy Institute uses a different baseline to determine who constitutes the top 1% and the top 5%. For 2021, you're in the top 1% if you earn $819,324 or more each year. The top 5% of income earners make $335,891 per year.

Do millionaires have retirement accounts? ›

Retirement investing — something we all have access to — actually plays a major role in many millionaires' portfolios: For the high-net-worth individuals who use the Empower dashboard, retirement accounts such as 401(k) plans and IRAs contributed 55% of their overall wealth.

How long will $4 million last in retirement? ›

Now, 4% of $4 million is $160,000, so as long as you expect your retirement to last for about 30 years and that amount sounds like enough-or more than enough-for you, you're in a good place.

What is the average Social Security check? ›

According to the Social Security Administration (SSA), the average monthly retirement benefit for Security Security recipients is $1,781.63 as of February. Several factors can drag that average up or down, but you have the most control over the biggest variable of all — the age that you decide to cash in.

How much interest does 1 million dollars make a month? ›

High-Interest Savings Accounts

That would translate into $5,000 of interest on one million dollars after a year of monthly compounding. The 10-year earnings would be $51,140.13. The rates on both traditional and high-interest savings accounts are variable, which means the rates can go up or down over time.

Is $1,500 a month enough to retire on? ›

That means that many will need to rely on Social Security payments—which, in 2021, averages $1,544 a month. That's not a lot, but don't worry. There are plenty of places in the United States—and abroad—where you can live comfortably on $1,500 a month or less.

What is the Social Security 5 year rule? ›

The Social Security disability five-year rule allows people to skip a required waiting period for receiving disability benefits if they had previously received disability benefits, stopped collecting those benefits and then became unable to work again within five years.

Can I retire on 500k plus Social Security? ›

Yes, retiring at 55 with $500,000 is feasible. An annuity can offer a lifetime guaranteed income of $24,688 per year or an initial $21,000 that increases over time to offset inflation. At 62, Social Security Benefits augment this income. Both options continue payouts even if the annuity depletes.

Is it smart to max out 401k? ›

Overall, you should max out your contributions every year if you can do so while getting the maximum matching benefit from your employer.

What is the average 401k balance in 2023? ›

But still, it's a good idea to kick off retirement with a robust nest egg. So you might be wondering whether you're on track to do that. Image source: Getty Images. The average 401(k) plan balance as of March 2023 was $78,800, according to Bank of America.

What is the highest 401k balance? ›

Breaking down 401(k) account balances. The IRS sets contribution limits for 401(k) accounts, or the maximum amount you can add to your account in a given year. Currently, those contribution limits are $20,500 in 2022 ($27,000 for those age 50 or older) and $22,500 in 2023.

How long will $500 000 last me in retirement? ›

If you retire with $500k in assets, the 4% rule says that you should be able to withdraw $20,000 per year for a 30-year (or longer) retirement. So, if you retire at 60, the money should ideally last through age 90. If 4% sounds too low to you, remember that you'll take an income that increases with inflation.

Can you retire with 300k and Social Security? ›

If you earned around $50,000 per year before retirement, the odds are good that a $300,000 retirement account and Social Security benefits will allow you to continue enjoying your same lifestyle. By age 55 the median American household has about $120,000 saved for retirement, and about $212,500 in net worth.

How many years will $500 000 last in retirement? ›

$500,000 will last: Years, Months, and Days: 7 years 7 months 21 days.

What is a realistic retirement income? ›

The Final Multiple: 10-12 times your annual income at retirement age. If you plan to retire at 67, for instance, and your income is $150,000 per year, then you should have between $1.5 and $1.8 million set aside for retirement.

How much does the average retired person live on per month? ›

People ages 65 and older had an average income of $55,335 in 2021. Average annual expenses for people ages 65 and older totaled $52,141 in 2021. 48% of retirees surveyed reported spending less than $2,000 a month in 2022. 1 in 3 retirees reported spending between $2,000 and $3,999 per month.

Is $4,000 a month enough to retire on? ›

First, let's look at some statistics to establish a baseline for what a solid retirement looks like: Average monthly retirement income in 2021 for retirees 65 and older was about $4,000 a month, or $48,000 a year; this is a slight decrease from 2020, when it was about $49,000.

How many Americans have $1 million in 401k? ›

The number of 401(k) millionaires in Fidelity-managed plans is relatively small, just shy of 1.4 percent out of 21.5 million accounts. That segment peaked in 2021, at 442,000, with a median balance of $1.3 million, according to Mike Shamrell, vice president for workplace thought leadership for Fidelity.

What percentage of Americans have $500000 in savings? ›

How much do people save for retirement? In 2019, about 50% of households reported any savings in retirement accounts. Twenty-one percent had saved more than $100,000, and 7% had more than $500,000.

What percentage of US population has $1 million dollars in savings? ›

Between 10-16% of American households have $1 million or more in retirement savings. If you define savings more broadly to include a household's net worth, the number rises closer to 20%, whereas if you limit it to individuals with $1 million+ in retirement accounts, the rate drops to 10%.

How many Americans have no savings? ›

At least 53% of Americans admit they don't have an emergency fund, according to a recent poll conducted by CNBC and Momentive. That figure skyrockets to at least 74% for those with a household income below $50,000 per year.

What is a good net worth by age? ›

Mean and median net worth by age (2019)
Age GroupMean Net WorthMedian Net Worth
Less than 35$76,300$13,900
35-44$436,200$91,300
45-54$833,200$168,600
55-64$1,175,900$212,500
2 more rows
Nov 30, 2022

How much does the average person need a year to retire? ›

More? Financial planners often recommend replacing about 80% of your pre-retirement income to sustain the same lifestyle after you retire. This means that, if you earn $100,000 per year, you'd aim for at least $80,000 of income (in today's dollars) in retirement.

Is 400 000 in 401k enough to retire? ›

Safe Withdrawal Rate

Using our portfolio of $400,000 and the 4% withdrawal rate, you could withdraw $16,000 annually from your retirement accounts and expect your money to last for at least 30 years. If, say, your Social Security checks are $2,000 monthly, you'd have a combined annual income in retirement of $40,000.

How much should I have in my 401k at 60? ›

By age 50, you would be considered on track if you have three to six times your preretirement gross income saved. And by age 60, you should have 5.5 to 11 times your salary saved in order to be considered on track for retirement.

Is 7% good for 401k? ›

However, regardless of your age and expectations, most financial advisors agree that 10% to 20% of your salary is a good amount to contribute toward your retirement fund.

What do most retirees live on? ›

Many people are worried about how they will survive financially after retirement. According to a United States Census Bureau report, Social Security income accounts for over 50% of retirees' total monthly income. Only 17.2% of earnings come from retirement accounts.

What percentage of retirees have a mortgage? ›

Across those 50 metros, an average of about 19% of homeowners who are 65 and older still have a mortgage. We also found that homes owned by people in this age group tend to be less valuable than those owned by the general population — and that their monthly housing costs tend to be lower.

What happens if you retire with no money? ›

Without savings, it will be difficult to maintain in retirement the same lifestyle that you had in your working years. You may need to make adjustments such as moving into a smaller home or apartment; forgoing extras such as cable television, an iPhone, or a gym membership; or driving a less expensive car.

How long will $800,000 last me in retirement? ›

How long will $800,000 last in retirement? Your money is projected to last approximately 30 years with monthly withdrawals totaling $2,024,574.

Is $800,000 in 401k enough to retire? ›

Can I retire at 60 with $800k? Yes, you can retire at 60 with eight hundred thousand dollars. At age 60, an annuity will provide a guaranteed level income of $42,000 annually, starting immediately, for the rest of the insured's lifetime.

What is the average amount of money a person has when they retire? ›

The Federal Reserve's most recent data reveals that the average American has $65,000 in retirement savings. By their retirement age, the average is estimated to be $255,200.

What is considered a good monthly retirement income? ›

65-74 years: $59,872 per year or $4,989 per month. 75 and older: $43,217 per year or $3,601 per month.

How long can you live on $400 000 in retirement? ›

Using our portfolio of $400,000 and the 4% withdrawal rate, you could withdraw $16,000 annually from your retirement accounts and expect your money to last for at least 30 years. If, say, your Social Security checks are $2,000 monthly, you'd have a combined annual income in retirement of $40,000.

How many people have $3,000,000 in savings? ›

1,821,745 Households in the United States Have Investment Portfolios Worth $3,000,000 or More.

How much money do you need to retire with $100000 a year income? ›

This means that if you make $100,000 shortly before retirement, you can start to plan using the ballpark expectation that you'll need about $75,000 a year to live on in retirement. You'll likely need less income in retirement than during your working years because: Most people spend less in retirement.

How much do I need to retire if my house is paid off? ›

One rule of thumb is that you'll need 70% of your pre-retirement yearly salary to live comfortably. That might be enough if you've paid off your mortgage and are in excellent health when you kiss the office good-bye.

How many Americans have no retirement savings? ›

More than ever, Americans who desire a “comfortable” retirement must squirrel away money in a retirement account. Yet nearly half of private-sector employees, 57 million Americans, have no option to save for retirement at work.

Is $500 000 enough to retire on? ›

With some planning, you can retire at 60 with $500k. Remember, however, that your lifestyle will significantly affect how long your savings will last. If you're content to live modestly and don't plan on significant life changes (like travel or starting a business), you can make your $500k last much longer.

Can I retire on $500 K plus Social Security? ›

Yes, retiring at 55 with $500,000 is feasible. An annuity can offer a lifetime guaranteed income of $24,688 per year or an initial $21,000 that increases over time to offset inflation. At 62, Social Security Benefits augment this income. Both options continue payouts even if the annuity depletes.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Edmund Hettinger DC

Last Updated:

Views: 6555

Rating: 4.8 / 5 (78 voted)

Reviews: 85% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Edmund Hettinger DC

Birthday: 1994-08-17

Address: 2033 Gerhold Pine, Port Jocelyn, VA 12101-5654

Phone: +8524399971620

Job: Central Manufacturing Supervisor

Hobby: Jogging, Metalworking, Tai chi, Shopping, Puzzles, Rock climbing, Crocheting

Introduction: My name is Edmund Hettinger DC, I am a adventurous, colorful, gifted, determined, precious, open, colorful person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.