Retiring Early? See How Much Money You Need to Retire at 55 (2024)

By Synchrony Staff

  • UPDATED April 22
  • |
  • 10 MINUTE READ

Thinking about early retirement? If so, it’s important to review your retirement account balances early and think through how you’ll maintain your lifestyle. Retirement at any age takes planning, there are even average retirement savings range targets to aspire towards throughout your career. If you’re thinking about retiring at 55, you’ll want to ensure you have enough saved live off comfortably.

How Much Have Americans Saved for Retirement by Age 55?

It can be hard to know if you're saving enough to ensure a comfortable retirement. The 2019 Survey of Consumer Finances by the Federal Reserve found that average Americans approaching retirement ( ages 55-59) have saved $223,493.56, with similar numbers for ages 60-64 at $221,451.67.

But some individuals have saved much more and others have no retirement savings at all. According to Transamerica data, 40% of Americans expect to still work past age 65 while 14% expect to never retire.

With pensions and Social Security providing less financial security than in the past—coupled with an uncertain economic future—the pressure is on for working Americans to save as much as they can for retirement.

How Much Money Will You Need for Retirement?

Some experts suggest planning to live on a minimum of 65 to 75% of your current income in retirement, but ideally you should plan to live off of 80% of your current income. According to these parameters, you may need 10 to 12 times your current annual salary saved by the time you retire. Experts say to have at least seven times your salary saved at age 55. That means if you make $55,000 a year, you should have at least $385,000 saved for retirement.

Keep in mind that life is unpredictable–economic factors, medical care, and how long you live will also impact your retirement expenses. So, it’s advisable to give yourself a cushion and exceed the average retirement savings.

In order to better estimate what you need to put away for retirement, ask yourself the following five questions:

1

How much debt will you pay off before retirement? The amount of debt you owe and how you plan to reduce it in retirement affects how much money you will need.

2

What is the cost of living where you plan to retire? Are you planning to move once you retire? Is the cost of living in your current city changing? (Check out our guides on awesome places to retire on monthly budgets of $2,000, $3,000, $4,000, $5,000, $6,000, and $10,000)

What kind of lifestyle do you want to lead? For example, is travel a goal? Knowing how much you’ll need in reserves to live the lifestyle you’re seeking in retirement can help you determine a savings goal. Listen to our podcast on how to decide how you want to spend your retirement.

4

What age do you plan to retire? The average American retires between ages 62 and 65, but some American’s may plan to retire early or later than this. However, age isn’t the only factor in determining the right time to retire.

5

Do you want to leave money to family members? If so, you may either need to save more or live off less during retirement.

How to Plan for Retirement

Many financial advisors recommend saving a minimum of 10% of your annual gross income toward retirement at any age. These savings are in addition to money that you may be setting aside for short-term goals, such as a new car, or unexpected expenses and emergencies like medical bills.

It’s never too early to start saving for retirement. There are practical, smart steps you can take toward meeting the recommended retirement savings at any age:

Learn How to Be Financially Smart in Your 20s

Recommended retirement savings: Up to 1x your annual salary

How to save: People in this age group can contribute to their company-provided 401(k), chip away at their student loans and open other retirement plans like IRAs.

You may have obstacles like student loans, but if you can afford to, put 10-15% of your salary towards retirement. Another saving tactic you could look into is investing your money; when you’re young, you can afford to have a higher risk tolerance as you have plenty of time to earn back any losses that may incur.

Another good strategy is to start an emergency fund. That way, when unforeseen events happen, you don’t need to dip into your retirement savings. An emergency fund is best stored in a high yield savings account.

Begin to Make Savings Progress in Your 30s

Recommended retirement savings: 1-2x your annual salary

How to save: Even though you may have more expenses than you did in your 20s—from buying a house, having a family or continuing to pay off student loans—don’t forget about saving for retirement.

Hopefully you have a higher salary now that you’re further into your career. Take full advantage of your company’s 401(k) match and contribute on your own, as well. If you haven’t opened one, a traditional IRA or a Roth IRA are also good retirement accounts to have.

If you find you’re not on track to save 1-2x your annual salary for retirement, consider tightening your budget to make up for it.

Think About Retirement in Your 40s

Recommended retirement savings: 3-4x your annual salary

How to save: Hopefully you’ve paid off your student loans by now and can focus on retirement. Retirement may still seem far away but getting serious about saving for retirement can lay a solid foundation for your nest egg.

Increase your contributions to your retirement plans and tighten up on your budget if needed. The average annual salary in this age range is between $58,000 - $59,000, so someone with that annual income should have $150,000 to $200,000 saved. Take your salary into account to see how much retirement savings you have to make up for.

Focus on Retirement Savings in Your 50s

Recommended retirement savings: 6-8x your annual salary

How to save: In your final decade before retirement (or maybe you’re planning to retire early), prioritize meeting your retirement savings goals. Talking to a financial advisor may help.

The average retirement savings by 55 may be just over $220,000, but for many people, that’s just not going to be enough. Online retirement calculators, including those that incorporate your expected spending in retirement, can help you determine if you're on track.

If you need to catch up, in your 50s you can contribute an extra $1,000 to your IRA and $6,500 to a 401(k) or 403(b) as a “catch up” for 2022 limits.

Final Stretch: Retirement Savings in Your 60s

Recommended retirement savings: 8-10x your salary

How to save: This close to retirement, you’ve probably thought a lot about how you want to spend your retirement. Take your desired lifestyle into account when you assess the retirement assets you have so far. You’ll probably need to take into account medical costs as part of that lifestyle.

If you still haven’t hit the 8-10x mark on your retirement fund, look at what assets you can monetize or even consider working for a few more years. Remember you can maximize your Social Security if you delay claiming it until 70 years.

How to Catch Up on Your Retirement Savings

Are your retirement savings nowhere near what they should be by age 55? Here are six steps you can take to boost your savings before you retire:

1. Increase or max out your monthly contributions to your 401(k), IRA or other retirement plan. Are you making the most of your employer’s match? How much of your annual salary are you putting away?
2. Look closely at your budget. If saving for retirement is a priority, your budget should reflect this. Retirement savings should be toward the top of your list, along with basics like food, shelter and utilities.
3. Delay your retirement. How much more could you save by working a few more years? Not only does this maintain your income, but it decreases the number of years you’ll be retired. Another option is finding a part-time job during your retirement.
4. Set aside found money for retirement. If you receive extra cash from a bonus, gift or tax return, add it to your retirement savings.
5. Don’t forget about Social Security. The average monthly Social Security income for retired workers in 2020 is $1,503. You can maximize your Social Security income by waiting until full retirement age or longer to collect your benefits.
6. Pay off your debt. According to MagnifyMoney and University of Michigan Health and Retirement Survey, Americans in their 50s have an average debt of $17,623. Outstanding bills in retirement take away from your effective income. Talk to a financial expert about the best way to lower your debt before you retire.

Wherever you are in meeting your retirement savings goals, talk to your financial advisor about the right financial products needed to ensure you have a comfortable retirement.

If you’re thinking about diversifying your retirement portfolio, consider adding an IRA product to your existing employer-sponsored 401K or 403B retirement plan. Consider the expert advice in this article to learn more about your options today.

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  • Retiring Early? See How Much Money You Need to Retire at 55 (2) Retiring Early? See How Much Money You Need to Retire at 55 (3)

Retiring Early? See How Much Money You Need to Retire at 55 (4) Retiring Early? See How Much Money You Need to Retire at 55 (5)

*ANNUAL PERCENTAGE YIELD (APY): All APYs are accurate as of .

APYs are subject to change at any time without notice. Offers apply to personal accounts only. Fees may reduce earnings. A penalty may be imposed for early withdrawals on a CD. After maturity, if you choose to roll over your CD, you will earn the base rate of interest in effect at that time. The maximum APY shown for CDs and IRA CDs is for a 60-month CD with a balance of at least $25,000. See all CD rates and terms offered.

1 Bankrate Safe & Sound® 5-Star Rating earned for 2014 through 2018. NerdWallet: © 2016, 2017, 2018 and TM, NerdWallet, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Important Disclosures

NATIONAL AVERAGE: National Average APYs are based on specific product types of top 50 U.S. banks (ranked by total deposits) provided by Informa Research Services, Inc. as of 10/03/2022. CD Rates: Average APYs are based on certificate of deposit accounts of $25,000. High Yield Savings Rates: Average APYs are based on High Yield Savings Accounts of $10,000. Money Market Account Rates: Average APYs are based on Money Market Accounts of $10,000. Although the information provided by Informa Research Services, Inc. has been obtained from the various institutions, accuracy cannot be guaranteed.

© 2023 Synchrony Bank. All Rights Reserved.

Retiring Early? See How Much Money You Need to Retire at 55 (2024)

FAQs

Retiring Early? See How Much Money You Need to Retire at 55? ›

To figure out just how much money you need to save to retire by 55, Doe suggests using a common rule of thumb: Take your current salary and multiply it by 10. Keep in mind that this is just a jumping-off point — there are many other factors you'll need to consider.

How much money does a 55 year old need to retire? ›

How Much to Retire at 55? Fidelity estimated that those saving for retirement should have a minimum of seven times their salary by age 55. That means that if your annual salary is currently $70,000, you will want to plan on saving at least $490,000 saved.

How much money do I need to retire at 55 in Canada? ›

Canadians estimate that they need, on average, $756,000 for a comfortable retirement. You will likely need 70-80% of your pre-retirement salary in retirement. In 2021, the average retirement age for Canadians was 64.5 years.

Can I retire at 55 with $5 million dollars? ›

The Bottom Line

With $5 million you can plan on retiring early almost anywhere. While you should be more careful with your money in extremely high-cost areas, this size nest egg can generate more than $100,000 per year of income. That should be more than enough to live comfortably on starting at age 55.

Can you retire at 55 with $3 million dollars? ›

The good news: As long as you plan carefully, $3 million should be a comfortable amount to retire on at 55. If you're ready to be matched with local advisors that can help you achieve your financial goals, get started now.

Is $2 million enough to retire at 55? ›

Retiring at 55 with $2.5 million is certainly feasible, as evidenced by the fact that this is far more than the vast majority of people have when they stop working. Only about 1 in 10 retirees have even $1 million saved, according to the Federal Reserve's Survey of Consumer Finances.

Is $500 000 enough to retire at 55? ›

Yes, you can retire at 55 with $500k. 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.

Is $500 000 enough to retire on in Canada? ›

The quick answer is “yes”! With some planning, you can retire at 60 with $500k. Remember, however, that your lifestyle will significantly affect how long your savings will last.

Is $5,000 a month enough to retire in Canada? ›

After running some math, I can conclude that the following, if achieved by most Canadians at or around age 50 is “enough” to spend $5,000 per month in retirement until age 95: x2 TFSAs = $150,000 each. x2 RRSPs = $400,000 each.

Is 1.5 million enough to retire at 55? ›

Can You Retire With $1.5 Million at 55? If you have $1.5 million saved up and want to retire at 55, this may be enough for you. The reality is that it all depends on your withdrawal rate — the amount of money you consistently take out of your accounts to support yourself — and how long you live.

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.

Can I retire at 57 with $2 million dollars? ›

Yes, for some people, $2 million should be more than enough to retire. For others, $2 million may not even scratch the surface. The answer depends on your personal situation and there are lot of challenges you'll face. As of 2023, it seems the number of obstacles to a successful retirement continues to grow.

Is $500,000 enough to retire at 50? ›

Many experts recommend saving at least $1 million for retirement, but that doesn't take your individual goals, needs or spending habits into account. In turn, you may not need anywhere near $1 million to retire comfortably. For instance, if you have $500,000 in your nest egg, that could be plenty for your situation.

Can I retire at 55 with $600 000? ›

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.

How long will $2 million last in retirement? ›

A retirement account with $2 million should be enough to make most people comfortable. With an average income, you can expect it to last 35 years or more. However, everyone's retirement expectations and needs are different.

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.

Can I retire with $4 million at age 55? ›

Yes, you can retire at 55 with four million dollars. At age 55, an annuity will provide a guaranteed level income of $225,000 annually starting immediately for the rest of the insured's lifetime.

Can I live off the interest of 2 million dollars? ›

Assuming an annual withdrawal rate of 4%, which is a commonly recommended safe withdrawal rate, a $2 million portfolio could potentially provide an annual income of $80,000. This means that if an individual spends $80,000 per year, their portfolio could potentially last for around 25 years.

Can I retire at 56 with $1 million dollars? ›

In fact, a recent survey found that investors believe they'll need at least $3 million to retire comfortably. But retiring with $1 million is still possible, even as early as age 55, if you're smart about it. It will require some careful planning since you'll have to wait 10 years for Medicare, but it can be done.

What percent of people 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.

How much should I be worth at 55? ›

Average Net Worth by Age
AgeAverage Net WorthMedian Net Worth
35-44$436,200$91,300
45-54$833,200$168,600
55-64$1,175,900$212,500
65-74$1,217,700$266,400
2 more rows
Feb 24, 2023

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.

Can you retire on $1 million in Canada? ›

How much do you need to retire comfortably in Canada? The answer to this question is quite different for every person. For some, one million dollars might be enough for others it might not be. A general rule of thumb is that you will need an annual retirement income of around 70% of your annual pre-retirement income.

How much does the average Canadian retire on? ›

According to Statista, the average retirement income for seniors (65+) in Canada is $32,000 per year. Some retirees may have additional sources of income beyond their retirement plan, such as investments, part-time work, or government benefits like the Canada Pension Plan (CPP).

Can a couple retire on $1 million dollars? ›

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.

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 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.

Is $4000 a month a good pension? ›

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.

Can I retire at 56 with $3 million dollars? ›

Can I retire at 55 with $3 million? Yes, you can retire at 55 with three million dollars. At age 55, an annuity will provide a guaranteed income of $168,750 annually, starting immediately for the rest of the insured's lifetime.

Is $10 million enough to retire at 50? ›

While $10 million is a lot of money, retiring at 50 means you can plan on approximately 40 years of retirement if you expect to live to around the average age. Even if nothing catastrophic happens to you or the economy in the meantime, inflation alone can make a dent in what you can expect from your savings.

What is the rule of 55? ›

The rule of 55 is an IRS provision that allows workers who leave their job for any reason to start taking penalty-free distributions from their current employer's retirement plan once they've reached age 55.

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.

How long will $3 million last in retirement? ›

At a 6% return, their conservatively invested $3 million portfolio will generate $180,000 annually if all goes according to plan. This conservative spending and investing approach makes it likely the couple's retirement nest egg will last indefinitely.

Is $2 million enough to retire at 59? ›

A retirement account with $2 million should be enough to make most people comfortable. With an average income, you can expect it to last 35 years or more.

Can I retire at 56 with 500k? ›

Yes, you can! The average monthly Social Security Income in 2021 is $1,543 per person. In the tables below, we'll use an annuity with a lifetime income rider coupled with SSI to give you a better idea of the income you could receive from $500,000 in savings.

Can a married couple retire on $2 million dollars? ›

Can a couple retire with $2 million? It's certainly possible, though it really comes down to creating a retirement savings plan that's tailored to you and your partner.

Is $5 million enough to retire at 50? ›

Is $5 Million Enough to Retire at 50? A $5 million nest egg can provide $200,000 of annual income when the principal gives a return of 4%. This estimate is on the conservative side, making $200,000 a solid benchmark for calculating your retirement income versus expenses.

Can a 50 year old retire on $1 million dollars? ›

Retiring on $1 million at 50 will depend on longevity, health costs, lifestyle, retirement income, inflation and other factors. Here are different scenarios. So if you're entranced by the idea of retiring early, you might be running through various scenarios.

Can you retire $1.5 million comfortably? ›

Yes, you can retire at 60 with $1.5 million. At age 60, an annuity will provide a guaranteed income of $91,500 annually, starting immediately for the rest of the insured's lifetime.

Is $3 million enough to retire at 50? ›

Retiring at 50 is a great goal to have. If you have $3 million saved, it's likely that you'll be able to retire comfortably. You'll need to factor in your living expenses, inflation and the expected rate of return on your investments.

Can I retire at 55 with $1 million? ›

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.

Can I retire at 60 with 500k? ›

The quick answer is “yes”! With some planning, you can retire at 60 with $500k. Remember, however, that your lifestyle will significantly affect how long your savings will last.

Can you retire at 55 with $10 million? ›

The simple answer is yes. You can retire on 10 million dollars. However, there are a few things to consider before making this decision. First, you need to make sure that you have enough saved up to cover your expenses.

Can I retire with 1.5 million at age 55? ›

But retiring with $1 million is still possible, even as early as age 55, if you're smart about it. It will require some careful planning since you'll have to wait 10 years for Medicare, but it can be done. If you're not sure how to get started, consider working with a financial advisor.

Can I retire at 50 with $3 million dollars? ›

The Bottom Line

Retiring at 50 is a great goal to have. If you have $3 million saved, it's likely that you'll be able to retire comfortably. You'll need to factor in your living expenses, inflation and the expected rate of return on your investments.

Where should I be financially at 55? ›

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.

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

The average retirement age in Canada is 65, estimating the $500,000 is to last you 25 years your yearly retirement income would be $20,000.

Can you retire at 55 in Canada? ›

CPP and OAS are unavailable at age 55, so if you want to retire at or before this age, you will need to find other income sources. If you are lucky to have an employer-sponsored pension plan, then you could retire at 55 if you meet the eligibility requirements and have enough money saved.

At what age can I 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.

Can I retire at 60 with $800,000? ›

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. The income will stay the same and never decrease.

How much money do I need to retire in Canada? ›

How much do I need to retire?
Rule of thumbHow much does that mean?
70% to 80% of your working income a year$1,400,000 to $1,600,000 (assuming 20 years in retirement)
Your desired annual retirement income x 25$2,500,000 if you want your retirement income to match your working income
1 more row
Apr 17, 2023

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