How Long Will $600,000 Last in Retirement? - SmartAsset (2024)

How Long Will $600,000 Last in Retirement? - SmartAsset (1)One of the biggest worries associated with retirement planning is making sure you have enough money tucked away. While some people might aim to save $1 million or even $2 million for the future, your goal might be to save $500,000 or $600,000 instead. But just how long will $600,000 last in retirement? And is it enough? Asking those kinds of questions can help you shape your retirement savings strategy. Something else that can help you shape your retirement savings is working with a financial advisor.

Can You Retire With $600,000?

It’s possible to retire with $600,000 in savings with careful planning, but it’s important to consider how long your money will last. Whether you can successfully retire with $600,000 can depend on a number of factors, including:

  • Your desired retirement age
  • Estimated retirement budget
  • Expected longevity
  • Total savings and income

The earlier you retire, the longer your retirement savings has to last, especially if you have a longer life expectancy. And the type of lifestyle you choose can influence how far $600,000 will go in retirement. Things like inflation and market volatility can also affect your overall retirement outcomes. Health can play a part as well as healthcare costs tend to increase as you get older.

Can I Retire at 62 With $600,000?

Retiring at 62 may be your goal, but can you do it with $600,000 in savings? If you plan to downsize your home, live a minimalist lifestyle and supplement your retirement savings with a pension plan, annuity or Social Security benefits then the answer may be yes.

On the other hand, retiring at 62 with $600,000 may not be realistic if you plan to spend more to fund your lifestyle or you don’t have alternative sources of income other than savings. While Social Security benefits can provide income, taking those benefits at 62 will reduce the amount you receive. You’ll need to wait until full retirement age, typically 66 or 67, to get your full benefit amount. And you can increase your benefits if you’re able to hold out until age 70.

It’s also important to consider overall health and how that can impact your retirement plans. If you manage to stay healthy and never need long-term care then $600,000 could be enough to sustain you in retirement. On the other hand, if you need long-term care in a nursing facility that could take a large bite out of your savings.

Medicare doesn’t cover extended nursing home care. Medicaid can but you may need to spend down the majority of your assets first to qualify. Setting up a Medicaid asset protection trust can allow you to get around this requirement, which may be something worth discussing with a financial advisor.

How Long Will $600,000 Last in Retirement?

How Long Will $600,000 Last in Retirement? - SmartAsset (2)How long $600,000 will last in retirement can hinge largely on your withdrawal rate. A common rule of thumb for retirement savings withdrawals is the 4% rule. This rule suggests withdrawing 4% of your retirement savings per year to live on. Hypothetically, a retiree who expects to spend 30 years in retirement should be able to safely withdraw 4% of their savings annually without running out of money.

So let’s apply that to a real-life example. Say that you plan to retire at 62 with $600,000 saved. You expect to withdraw 4% each year, starting with a $24,000 withdrawal in Year One. Your money earns a 5% annual rate of return while inflation stays at 2.9%. Based on those numbers, $600,000 would be enough to last you 30 years in retirement. In fact, by age 92 you’d still have over $116,000 in savings.

Now, assume that inflation increases to 4%. In that scenario, you’d run out of money by age 90. This is important to understand because rising prices can reduce your purchasing power over time. This is where it becomes helpful to consider other sources of income for retirement, such as Social Security benefits or a pension if you have one.

Again, Social Security benefits can begin as early as age 62, but you’ll get a lower amount than you would if you waited until full retirement age. But if you’re retiring with $600,000 in savings, taking benefits earlier could make sense if you’re worried about running out of money based on your anticipated life expectancy. Using a Social Security retirement calculator can help you get a better idea of how much money you’re likely to receive.

How to Retire With $600,000

If you’re interested in retiring with $600,000 in savings, planning early is important. You’ll need to consider what age you plan to retire, what kind of lifestyle you anticipate having in retirement and what your total savings and income picture will look like. That includes planning for future income needs for your spouse as well if you’re married.

The earlier you begin saving, the easier it may be to reach your $600,000 goal. So if you have a 401(k) at work, for instance, you may want to focus on maxing that account out first. At the very least, it’s important to save enough to qualify for the full employer match if there is one. If you don’t have a 401(k), you can still save in an Individual Retirement Account.

A traditional IRA can offer tax-deductible contributions, with taxes on earnings deferred until you retire. A Roth IRA offers no deduction but qualified withdrawals are tax-free. A SEP or SIMPLE IRA could make sense if you’re self-employed. These accounts have higher annual contribution limits than traditional or Roth IRAs, so you can save more for the future. In terms of how withdrawals are taxed, they follow the same tax rules as traditional IRAs.

You may also consider creating an additional stream of income for yourself with an annuity. An annuity is an insurance contract in which you pay a premium in exchange for receiving payments back later. There are different types of annuity products to choose from but they can all create guaranteed income. If you’re married, you may be able to carry those benefits over to your spouse when you pass away.

Talking to a financial advisor a can help you decide if an annuity might be right for you. Your advisor can also discuss other strategies that can help you reach your goal of saving $600,000 for retirement. For example, they can offer advice on how to best allocate your assets to generate your desired returns, both before and during retirement. They can also help you choose investments for maximum tax and cost-efficiency.

The Bottom Line

How Long Will $600,000 Last in Retirement? - SmartAsset (3)How long will $600,000 last in retirement? The answer can be different for everyone. Creating a retirement budget can give you an idea of how much you’re likely to spend and what you’ll need to draw from your savings each year. From there, you can decide if $600,000 is a realistic goal or whether you should be aiming to save more for retirement.

Retirement Planning Tips

  • Consider talking to a financial advisor about what retiring on $600,000 might look like for you and whether that’s something that’s doable. Finding a qualified financial advisor doesn’t have to be hard. SmartAsset’s free tool matches you with up to three financial advisors who 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.
  • Use SmartAsset’s no-cost retirement calculator so get a good idea of the progress you’re making in building a retirement nest egg.
  • In addition to tax-advantaged accounts, such as a 401(k) or IRA, you might also consider opening a taxable brokerage account. A brokerage account can offer more flexibility in terms of the types of securities you can trade. This can help increase diversification and give you an additional source of savings. And many brokerages now offer $0 commission fee trading, which can save you money.

Photo credit: ©iStock.com/whyframestudio, ©iStock.com/olm26250, ©iStock.com/tumsasedgars

Rebecca Lake, CEPF® Rebecca Lake is a retirement, investing and estate planning expert who has been writing about personal finance for a decade. Her expertise in the finance niche also extends to home buying, credit cards, banking and small business. She's worked directly with several major financial and insurance brands, including Citibank, Discover and AIG and her writing has appeared online at U.S. News and World Report, CreditCards.com and Investopedia. Rebecca is a graduate of the University of South Carolina and she also attended Charleston Southern University as a graduate student. Originally from central Virginia, she now lives on the North Carolina coast along with her two children.

How Long Will $600,000 Last in Retirement? - SmartAsset (2024)

FAQs

How Long Will $600,000 Last in Retirement? - SmartAsset? ›

You expect to withdraw 4% each year, starting with a $24,000 withdrawal in Year One. Your money earns a 5% annual rate of return while inflation stays at 2.9%. Based on those numbers, $600,000 would be enough to last you 30 years in retirement.

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 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 is a safe retirement withdrawal rate for 20 years? ›

Then, we matched those time horizons with a general suggested asset allocation mix for that time period. For example, if you are planning on needing retirement withdrawals for 20 years, we suggest a moderately conservative asset allocation and an initial withdrawal rate between 5.4% and 5.9%.

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.

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 good amount of money to retire with at 65? ›

Use these insights to help determine whether your retirement plan is on the right track. Retirement experts have offered various rules of thumb about how much you need to save: somewhere near $1 million, 80% to 90% of your annual pre-retirement income, 12 times your pre-retirement salary.

Is $3000 a month good for retirement? ›

If you have a low living cost and can supplement your income with a part-time job or a generous pension, then retiring on $3,000 a month is certainly possible.

Is $4000 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 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.

What is the retirement 95% rule? ›

The Rule of 95 is an alternative full benefit retirement eligibility date to allow members to retire earlier than their schedule-based eligibility date. Under the Rule of 95, members can retire when their age plus their years of service equal 95 provided that they are at least 62 years old.

What is the 3% rule in retirement? ›

As a result, retirement experts have downgraded the Four Percent Rule to the Three Percent Rule. In short, to enjoy a reasonably high expectation of not running out of money prior to death, you should never withdraw more than three percent of your initial portfolio value in retirement.

What is the 1 3 rule retirement? ›

If you find yourself in this situation, consider the “Rule of Three:” When you have an unexpected windfall, put 1/3 of the windfall towards paying down debt, 1/3 towards long-term saving and investing, and the remaining 1/3 towards something rewarding or fun. Let's take each in turn and talk about the benefits.

Is 600k enough to retire? ›

You expect to withdraw 4% each year, starting with a $24,000 withdrawal in Year One. Your money earns a 5% annual rate of return while inflation stays at 2.9%. Based on those numbers, $600,000 would be enough to last you 30 years in retirement. In fact, by age 92 you'd still have over $116,000 in savings.

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 much Social Security will I get if I make $100000.00 a year? ›

If your highest 35 years of indexed earnings averaged out to $100,000, your AIME would be roughly $8,333. If you add all three of these numbers together, you would arrive at a PIA of $2,893.11, which equates to about $34,717.32 of Social Security benefits per year at full retirement age.

What is considered a rich net worth? ›

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.

How much does the average 70 year old have in savings? ›

How much does the average 70-year-old have in savings? Just shy of $500,000, according to the Federal Reserve. The better question, however, may be whether that's enough for a 70-year-old to live on in retirement so that you can align your budget accordingly.

What is a good net worth by age? ›

Between 35 to 44, the average net worth is $436,200, while between 45 to 54 that number increases to $833,200. Average net worth cracks the $1 million mark between 55 to 64, reaching $1,175,900. Average net worth again rises for those ages 65 to 74, to $1,217,700, before falling to $977,600 for someone over age 75.

What percentage of American retirees have a million dollars? ›

According to the Schroders 2023 U.S. Retirement Survey, working Americans age 45 and older expect they will need about $1.1 million in savings in order to retire, but only 21% of people in that age group expect to have even $1 million. That's down slightly from the 24% in 2022 who said they expected to save that much.

How much should a 67 year old have saved for retirement? ›

You should have saved 10 times your income to retire by age 67 according to retirement-plan provider Fidelity Investments. That's in order to continue your current lifestyle in retirement, rather than planning to downsize or spend more in old age.

What is considered a lot of money to retire? ›

“Several experts on retirement have given various estimates about how much you need to save: close to $1 million, 80% to 90% of your yearly income before quitting work, and 12 times what you used to make annually.”

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 many years will $500 000 last in retirement? ›

According to the 4% rule, if you retire with $500,000 in assets, you should be able to take $20,000/ yr for a 30-year or longer. Additionally, putting the money in an annuity will offer a guaranteed annual income of $24,688 to those retiring at 55.

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.

What is the average Social Security check at age 66? ›

At Age 66-67

In 2022, the average Social Security check was around $1,720 for a 66-year-old and $1,845 for a 67-year-old. That's $20,640 to $22,140 a year.

What is the average monthly income for a retired couple? ›

As of 2022, the average monthly benefit amount from Social Security for couples was $2,739.10. That works out to about $32,868 in annual income. Of course, the income that you can expect to receive depends a lot on your circ*mstances.

Which is the biggest expense for most retirees? ›

Housing. Housing expenses—which include mortgage, rent, property tax, insurance, maintenance and repair costs—remained the largest expense for retirees.

What is the largest expense for retirees? ›

Housing is likely to be your biggest cost in retirement. According to Gary Grewal, certified financial planner and author of “Financial Fives,” there are several housing-related expenses you should incorporate into your retirement budget, including property taxes and home repairs.

How do I get the $16728 Social Security bonus? ›

To acquire the full amount, you need to maximize your working life and begin collecting your check until age 70. Another way to maximize your check is by asking for a raise every two or three years. Moving companies throughout your career is another way to prove your worth, and generate more money.

What is one of the golden rules of retirement? ›

The thumb rule is not to withdraw more than 5% of the corpus in the first five years of retirement. This can be progressively increased to 10% by the time the retiree is 70. At 80, even a 20% annual drawdown rate would be considered safe.

What is the 80 20 retirement rule? ›

An 80/20 retirement plan is a type of retirement plan where you split your retirement savings/ investment in a ratio of 80 to 20 percent, with 80% accounting for low-risk investments and 20% accounting for high-growth stocks.

Can I retire at 55 with $1 million? ›

Can I retire at 55 with $1 million? Yes, you can retire at 55 with one million dollars. You will receive a guaranteed annual income of $56,250 immediately and for the rest of your life.

Why the last 5 years before you retire are critical? ›

The last five years before you retire may be a critical point of time—at least when it comes to retirement planning. That's because you must determine whether you truly can afford to quit work within that period of time.

Where is the safest place to put your retirement money? ›

Most of our experts agree that one of the safest places to keep your money is in a savings account insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). “High-yield savings accounts are an excellent option for those looking to keep their retirement savings safe.

Why the 4 rule no longer works for retirees? ›

Impact of high inflation and high stock valuations

The average U.S. inflation rate since 1913 has been 3.1%. With inflation now at 8.3%, withdrawals under the 4% rule increase considerably. This means the portfolio will need to earn higher returns or there is a greater chance the portfolio will be depleted.

At what age is 401k withdrawal tax free? ›

The IRS allows penalty-free withdrawals from retirement accounts after age 59½ and requires withdrawals after age 72. (These are called required minimum distributions, or RMDs). There are some exceptions to these rules for 401(k) plans and other qualified plans.

Can I retire at 50 with $2 million dollars? ›

Yes, you can retire at 50 with 2 million dollars. At age 50, an annuity will provide a guaranteed income of $125,000 annually, starting immediately for the rest of the insured's lifetime. The income will stay the same and never decrease. annually initially, with the income amount increasing to keep up with inflation.

What is the $1000 a month rule for retirement? ›

The (Overly) Simple Math Behind the “$1000/Month Rule”

The math behind the $1000-a-month rule is simple. If you take 5% of a $240,000 retirement nest egg each year, that works out to $12,000/year, which, divided into 12 months, gives you $1000 each month. Painless, right?

What is a good amount of money to retire with comfortably? ›

By age 50 : Aim to have five to six times your combined salary in retirement savings by the time you and your spouse are 50 years old. By age 60 : Aim to have seven to eight times your combined salary at 60 years old.

How much interest does $500 000 earn a month? ›

A $500,000 annuity would pay $29,519.92 per year in interest, or $2,395.83 per month if you prefer to set up systemetic withdrawals of interest. These payments assume a guaranteed interest rate of 5.75%. Fixed annuities pay a specified interest rate for a set period of time.

Do most retirees have their homes paid off? ›

Many Retired People Don't Expect to Pay Off Mortgages

Traditionally, homeowners looked forward to paying off their mortgage before retirement and living out their golden years without the heavy burden of a monthly house payment. But that scenario is becoming less common, according to a recent survey.

Should a retired person pay off their mortgage? ›

Key Takeaways. Paying off a mortgage can be smart for retirees or those just about to retire if they're in a lower-income bracket, have a high-interest mortgage, or don't benefit from the mortgage interest tax deduction. It's generally not a good idea to withdraw from a retirement account to pay off a mortgage.

Do most people have their homes paid off when they retire? ›

While most Americans expect to have their mortgage paid off by retirement, more than one in five of those individuals are still paying off their homes at age 75. Click here to check out 23 other investing statistics from Financially Simple.

Is it better to take Social Security at 62 or 67? ›

You can start receiving your Social Security retirement benefits as early as age 62. However, you are entitled to full benefits when you reach your full retirement age. If you delay taking your benefits from your full retirement age up to age 70, your benefit amount will increase.

What is the highest pay out in Social Security? ›

In 2023, the average senior on Social Security collects $1,827 a month. But you may be eligible for a lot more money than that. In fact, some seniors this year are looking at a monthly benefit of $4,555, which is the maximum Social Security will pay. Here's how to score a benefit that high.

What is the Social Security 5 year rule? ›

You must have worked and paid Social Security taxes in five of the last 10 years. • If you also get a pension from a job where you didn't pay Social Security taxes (e.g., a civil service or teacher's pension), your Social Security benefit might be reduced.

Is $1,000,000 enough to retire at 65? ›

Will $1 million still be enough to have a comfortable retirement then? It's definitely possible, but there are several factors to consider—including cost of living, the taxes you'll owe on your withdrawals, and how you want to live in retirement—when thinking about how much money you'll need to retire in the future.

What is the average 67 year old 401k balance? ›

Average 401(k) balance by age
AgeAverage balance
35 to 44$97,020
45 to 54$179,200
55 to 64$256,244
65 and older$279,997
2 more rows
May 8, 2023

How many people have $1000000 in savings? ›

In fact, statistically, around 10% of retirees have $1 million or more in savings.

Is $500000 enough to retire on at age 65? ›

Zigmont said that it is possible to retire with $500,000 in savings — but this will likely not be enough for most people. “It is possible to retire on $500,000 if your expenses are less than about $20,000 per year,” he said. “For most people, this means having no debt and being in a low cost of living area.

Is $600,000 enough to retire at 65? ›

If you manage to stay healthy and never need long-term care then $600,000 could be enough to sustain you in retirement. On the other hand, if you need long-term care in a nursing facility that could take a large bite out of your savings. Medicare doesn't cover extended nursing home care.

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.

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 percentage of people have a million dollars in their 401k? ›

While so-called "401(k) millionaires" make up only 1.4% of the 21.5 million people with Fidelity accounts, the average value of a Fidelity plan dropped by 20.5% as the S&P 500 (^IN) tumbled 19.4% in 2022 amid a year of everything from war, energy uncertainty and widespread inflation.

What is the average 401k balance for a 72 year old? ›

The average 401(k) balance by age
AgeAverage 401(k) balanceMedian 401(k) balance
50-55$161,869$43,395
55-60$199,743$55,464
60-65$198,194$53,300
65-70$185,858$43,152
5 more rows

Can I live off interest on a million dollars? ›

Once you have $1 million in assets, you can look seriously at living entirely off the returns of a portfolio. After all, the S&P 500 alone averages 10% returns per year. Setting aside taxes and down-year investment portfolio management, a $1 million index fund could provide $100,000 annually.

What is considered a good nest egg? ›

For many years, a common objective for individuals was to save a nest egg of at least $1 million in order to live comfortably in retirement. Reaching that sum would, in theory, allow the individual to sustain themselves on their retirement investment income generated annually.

How many Americans have $2 million in savings? ›

As of the end of 2020, there were nearly 22 million people in the US who had a net worth of $2 million or more.

What is a decent amount of money to retire with? ›

How much do I need to save to retire? A good rule of thumb is that your retirement income should equal about 80% of your pre-retirement income, says Steve Sexton, financial consultant and CEO of Sexton Advisory Group, a retirement-planning company.

How long will money last using 4% rule? ›

How Long Will My Money Last Using The 4% Rule? The 4% rule is designed to make your money last for at least 30 years in retirement. By withdrawing 4% of your initial retirement portfolio annually, adjusted for inflation, you can maintain a steady income without depleting your savings too quickly.

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