What to Do With a Lump Sum of Money (2024)

By Jessica Leshnoff • April 20, 2022

Whether it’s a tax refund, work bonus, inheritance or you finally scratch off that winning lottery ticket, receiving extra money can be a huge relief. But it can be challenging to know the best way to use it, especially when you’re facing competing financial priorities.

From what a lump sum of money is to the safest place to put it, we’re breaking down what to do when you come into some extra money.

What is considered a lump sum of money?

A lump sum of money is when you receive a large payment at once, versus an amount paid in installments. Its source could be things like a tax refund, bonus, inheritance, real estate profit, lawsuit settlement, gift, or even a lottery win. If taxes weren't withheld, you may want to set aside 20-30% of the payment to make sure you are prepared for tax season.

What is the best thing to do with a lump sum of money?

What to do with a large sum of money really depends on your circ*mstances. If you have a significant amount of debt, you may want to pay it off. Perhaps your emergency fund or retirement account(s) could use a boost. Whatever you decide to do, take time to carefully map out a plan that uses it best.

Where is the safest place to put a large sum of money?

Savings accounts are a safe, reliable place for a lump sum of money. Your funds will not only be safe from daily spending, but your deposits will be guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) for bank accounts or the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) for credit union accounts.1

Other safe bets include certificates of deposit (CDs) and U.S. government securities, such as Treasury notes, bills and bonds. While these options typically pay interest at higher rates than savings accounts, you’ll likely face penalties for early withdrawal – something to consider if you think you may need quick access to your money.

Expert tips about what to do with a lump sum of money

We asked Rich Tambor, OneMain’s Chief Risk Officer, some additional questions on what to do with a large sum of money. From planning to receive one to the safest place to keep it, his answers can get you ready to make the most of out of your lump sum of money.

What to Do With a Lump Sum of Money (1)

What’s the best way to prepare to receive a lump sum of money?
If you don’t already have one, the best starting point is developing a household budget. Knowing what part of your income is spoken for is really important. Everything else in terms of managing expenses and planning for savings follows.

How should bill paying and savings be split up?
It depends on where you are in life, including your career, family and so forth. If you wind up having leftover funds after meeting immediate needs, such as paying bills, putting them in a saving account is always a smart idea.

What if I’m unable to save any of the lump sum of money and can only pay bills?
If the lump sum payment allows you to catch up or stay ahead, then it’s a positive outcome. If you’re able to put aside some of the money into a savings account, that’s great. But if you can’t, there are other tactics. Automatic saving is a great option since you never “see” the money. If it’s invisible, you won’t spend it.

Is it a good idea to invest a lump sum payment into retirement account, such as an IRA?
Investing a lump sum payment into some form of savings certainly makes sense, but it’s probably best to keep it in an account that offers some flexibility and can be accessed without penalty if you wind up needing the funds.

Do you have any tips on starting an emergency fund with a lump sum of money?
The only rule of thumb is to keep it separate from your everyday transaction accounts. If it’s genuinely an emergency fund, it should be out of regular sight to create an almost “break the glass” mindset. You just want to avoid the temptation to splurge on something if it is really an emergency fund.

Lump sum of money in your future?

Backed by a solid plan, a large sum of money can give your finances a big boost. And our free tools, including quick online courses, can help you prepare. To see all of our resources, visit OMF.com/resources.

1. https://www.investopedia.com/ask/answers/12/safest-place-for-money.asp

This article has been updated from a previous posting on April 2, 2021.

The information in this article is provided for general education and informational purposes only, without any express or implied warranty of any kind, including warranties of accuracy, completeness or fitness for any particular purpose. It is not intended to be and does not constitute financial, legal, tax or any other advice specific to you the user or anyone else. The companies and individuals (other than OneMain Financial’s sponsored partners) referred to in this message are not sponsors of, do not endorse, and are not otherwise affiliated with OneMain Financial.

What to Do With a Lump Sum of Money (2024)

FAQs

What's the best thing to do with a lump sum of money? ›

What should I do with my lump sum?
  • Put it in a savings account - If you want to keep your money safe and let it earn interest, then a savings account is an option. ...
  • Put it in a bank account - If you think you'll be spending money, then you could just keep it in your regular bank account.

What can I do with large amounts of cash? ›

7 Ways to Use Extra Cash
  1. Fully fund your emergency cash account.
  2. Invest excess cash using a brokerage account.
  3. Increase contributions to a 401(k), 403(b), or IRA.
  4. Consider using the funds to pay the tax on a Roth IRA conversion.
  5. Refinance your mortgage.
  6. Pay off student loans or bad debt.

What to do with a $50 000 windfall? ›

If you inherit a significant amount, such as $50,000, a strategy for wisely handling a windfall could likely include making a long-term plan for your age and goals, starting with a well-stocked emergency fund and employing tax-advantaged investments if available.

Is $500,000 a big inheritance? ›

$500,000 is a big inheritance. It could have a significant impact on a person's financial situation, depending on how it is managed and utilized. As you can see here, there are many complex, moving parts involving several financial disciplines.

Where is the safest place to put a large sum of money? ›

What are the safest types of investments? U.S. Treasury securities, money market mutual funds and high-yield savings accounts are considered by most experts to be the safest types of investments available.

What to do with 100k lump sum? ›

Wrapper/product
  1. General Investment Account. This is effectively buying funds (Unit trusts/Investment trusts) outside of any investment wrapper. ...
  2. Stocks and Shares ISA. This is simply a tax wrapper and can hold cash, shares and collective investments (funds). ...
  3. Pension. ...
  4. Investment Bonds.
5 days ago

Is 100K in savings a lot? ›

But some people may be taking the idea of an emergency fund to an extreme. In fact, a good 51% of Americans say $100,000 is the savings amount needed to be financially healthy, according to the 2022 Personal Capital Wealth and Wellness Index. But that's a lot of money to keep locked away in savings.

Can you live off $100 000 dollars? ›

Most people can live comfortably on $100K a year. If you live in an area with a high cost of living and/or have a large family or very high expenses and/or debt, it may be more difficult to live comfortably on $100K a year. In either case, it is usually not challenging to afford basic living expenses.

How much money can you legally keep in cash? ›

Any business (including a sole proprietorship) that receives more than $10,000 in cash in a single transaction or in related transactions must file an IRS Form 8300. If a business or individual fails to file a Form 8300 when required, the business or individual can be fined.

Is 50K savings a lot? ›

According to Fidelity, by age 30, you should have a year's salary in retirement savings. Based on the average salary at this age as sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, most 30-year-olds should have about $50,000 in retirement savings — so this means that many younger Americans are on track.

What is considered a large inheritance? ›

That said, an inheritance of $100,000 or more is generally considered large. This is a considerable sum of money, and receiving such a windfall can be intimidating, especially if you have limited experience managing excess funds.

What should I do with $50,000 dollars right now? ›

Here's where to put it and why.
  • Savings accounts and CDs. Savings accounts and certificates of deposit (CDs) can be a smart way to protect your principal. ...
  • Mutual funds. ...
  • Exchange-traded funds. ...
  • I Bonds. ...
  • Hire a financial planner. ...
  • Buy a rental property.
May 1, 2023

Do most millionaires inherit? ›

Only 3% of millionaires inherited a million dollars or more. 3 PERCENT! Most wealthy people didn't inherit their wealth, they made it... and YOU can too. They're always mad.

How many people inherit $1 million dollars? ›

How Many Millionaires Inherited Their Wealth? 21% of millionaires received some inheritance, but only 3% received an inheritance of $1 million or above.

How much does the average American inherit? ›

The Federal Reserve's 2019 Survey of Consumer Finances (SCF) found that the average inheritance in the U.S. is $110,050. “Studies looking at inheritances show that the range of money left behind ranges dramatically,” Hopkins said, and if you compare the average to the median, you get a much different story.

Where do millionaires keep their money? ›

Millionaires have many different investment philosophies. These can include investing in real estate, stock, commodities and hedge funds, among other types of financial investments. Generally, many seek to mitigate risk and therefore prefer diversified investment portfolios.

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.

Where do people keep cash in their house? ›

A safe or lockbox is a good place to put cash at home for disasters and other emergencies. However, money for everyday bills is probably safer in a bank account.

How long will $100,000 last in retirement? ›

But all the same, 100k in retirement can last up to 30 years if you stick to the general 4% thumb rule of financial planning during retirement. This rule suggests that retirees 65 and older should withdraw at most 4% of their savings during the first year of retirement.

Which bank gives 7% interest monthly? ›

Equitas Small Finance Banks

Equitas SFB offers 3.50% on balances up to Rs 1 lakh, 5.25% on balances above Rs 1 lakh to 5 lakhs. For above Rs 5 lakh, the bank is offering 7%. These rates are effective from December 14, 2022.As per the website, “Interest will be calculated on the daily closing balance of the account.

How I can turn $100000 into $1000000? ›

There are two approaches you could take. The first is increasing the amount you invest monthly. Bumping up your monthly contributions to $200 would put you over the $1 million mark. The other option would be to try to exceed a 7% annual return with your investments.

What percentage of Americans have $100000 in the bank? ›

Most Americans are not saving enough for retirement. According to the survey, only 14% of Americans have $100,000 or more saved in their retirement accounts. In fact, about 78% of Americans have $50,000 or less saved for retirement.

How many Americans have no savings? ›

More than one in five Americans have no emergency savings

Nearly one in three (30 percent) people in 2023 have some emergency savings, but not enough to cover three months of expenses. This is up from 27 percent of people in 2022. Nearly one in four (22 percent) U.S. adults say they have no emergency savings.

How much is too much in savings? ›

How much is too much? The general rule is to have three to six months' worth of living expenses (rent, utilities, food, car payments, etc.) saved up for emergencies, such as unexpected medical bills or immediate home or car repairs. The guidelines fluctuate depending on each individual's circ*mstance.

What percent of Americans make over 100k? ›

To find out more about how many people make over 100k per year, we've gathered essential facts and data. According to our extensive research: 18% of individual Americans make over $100k per year. 34.4% of US households make over $100k per year.

How long can the average person live on $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 many people live under $1 dollar a day? ›

Currently, 1 billion people worldwide live on less than one dollar a day, the threshold defined by the international community as constituting extreme poverty. Yet, this number masks a multitude of people living in varying degrees of poverty, some even more desperately poor than others.

Can I fly with 20k cash? ›

You can fly with any amount of cash. No law prohibits you from bringing any amount of money on a flight. Likewise, TSA has no rules that limit how much money you can bring through security. In other words, TSA has no cash limit per person.

Can a bank ask where you got money? ›

Yes, banks can question your deposits. In fact, it is the responsibility of each bank to understand the origin of funds being deposited by customers. Additionally, various bank regulations and laws require banks to report suspicious activity to the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN).

How much cash can you put in the bank without being flagged? ›

Federal law governs how much cash you can deposit before a bank reports it. Dec. 19, 2022, at 1:15 p.m. Does a Bank Report Large Cash Deposits? Depositing a big amount of cash that is $10,000 or more means your bank or credit union will report it to the federal government.

Can I retire at 50 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 I retire at 50 with 300k? ›

Can I retire at 50 with $300k? The problem with having a $300,000 nest egg, as opposed to $500,000 or $1 million, is that retiring early isn't as viable an option. At age 50, you'll have to stretch that $300,000 out further, so it will be important to find an investment with a high return.

Is saving $1,500 a month good? ›

Saving $1,500 a month is an excellent goal to have. It can help you build up your savings and put you in a better financial position for the future. Having this amount of money saved each month can give you more flexibility when it comes to making decisions about spending or investing.

What is the best age to inherit money? ›

As child turns 40 to 45 years old, giving them their full inheritance can be the better move. It's a simplified estate plan, less costly to manage, and there may no longer be a need for the benefits of a trust that I've mentioned. There are always some exceptions, of course.

At what age do most people inherit? ›

We find that inheritance size is highly correlated with income, particularly at the top end of the income distribution; the bulk of inheritances are received between the ages of 46 and 75; and that most inheritances come from parents.

Should you leave money to your kids? ›

In general, leaving an inheritance to your children is good in that it helps them through life, eases their financial burden, represents your love and care to them, and shows that you did well enough in life financially to be able to leave something to your family.

How much interest will $50 000 earn in a year? ›

A sum of $50,000 in cash can earn about $195 a year in an average bank savings account or as much as $2,300 if you put it into a high-quality corporate bond fund. Other options include money market accounts, money market funds, certificate of deposits and government and corporate bonds.

How to save $100,000 dollars fast? ›

If you can afford to put away $1,400 per month, you could potentially save your first $100k in just 5 years. If that's too much, aim for even half that (or whatever you can). Thanks to compound interest, just $700 per month could become $100k in 9 years.

How to flip 50K to 100k? ›

How To Turn 50K Into 100K – The Best Methods To Double Your Money
  1. Start An Online Business. ...
  2. Invest In Real Estate. ...
  3. Invest In Stocks & ETFs. ...
  4. Invest In A Blog. ...
  5. Retail Arbitrage. ...
  6. Invest In Alternative Assets. ...
  7. Create A Rental Business. ...
  8. Invest In Small Businesses.
Mar 1, 2023

What makes 90% of millionaires? ›

“90% of all millionaires become so through owning real estate.” This famous quote from Andrew Carnegie, one of the wealthiest entrepreneurs of all time, is just as relevant today as it was more than a century ago.

What net worth makes you rich? ›

To feel wealthy, Americans say you need a net worth of at least $2.2 million on average, according to financial services company Charles Schwab's annual Modern Wealth Survey. But even if you have that much in the bank, it might not be enough to be considered rich in certain places, the survey found.

What age group is most millionaires? ›

The average millionaire is 57 years old.

This is because it takes smart financial decisions, hard work, and wise investments to become a millionaire, most of which don't fully pay off until around the age of 50 or 60.

What is the 1 percent of Americans net worth? ›

Americans need $5 million in net worth to join the 1% | Fortune.

Are most millionaires married or single? ›

  • Most millionaires work at Fortune 500 companies. ...
  • Many poor people become millionaires by winning the lottery. ...
  • Millionaires usually drive new cars. ...
  • Many millionaires drop out of college to start work. ...
  • Single people are more often millionaires than married people. ...
  • It is impossible to save enough to be a millionaire.

Do most millionaires make over $100000 a year? ›

Choose the right career

And one crucial detail to note: Millionaire status doesn't equal a sky-high salary. “Only 31% averaged $100,000 a year over the course of their career,” the study found, “and one-third never made six figures in any single working year of their career.”

Do most parents leave an inheritance? ›

According to a Natixis U.S. Investor Survey as cited by CNBC.com, almost 70 percent of young people expect to get an inheritance, but only 40 percent of parents plan to leave one.

Is it better to inherit stock or cash? ›

When you're inheriting either cash or stocks, one isn't better or worse than the other. Each offers benefits. Having money in hand upon a family member's death means the ability to use it immediately for any purpose. However, there's also the risk of quickly running out of the entire inheritance.

What is the best way to leave an inheritance? ›

The best ways to leave money to heirs
  1. Will. The first is by having a will. ...
  2. Life insurance. The second way is with life insurance. ...
  3. Estate taxes. Estates that are worth a lot of money can also owe estate taxes. ...
  4. Life insurance trusts.

What can I do with a lump sum of money to avoid taxes? ›

Strategies to Minimize Taxes on a Lump-Sum Payment
  • Tax-Loss Harvesting. Tax-loss harvesting allows you to lock in investment losses for the express purpose of lowering your taxable income. ...
  • Deductions and Credits. ...
  • Donate To Charity. ...
  • Open a Charitable Lead Annuity Trust. ...
  • Use a Separately Managed Account.
Mar 23, 2023

How do you generate income from a lump sum? ›

  1. Purchase a buy-to-let property. Buying a property to let out is a common way to create a passive income. ...
  2. Invest in a fund. Investing provides an opportunity for your money to grow, and you could use the returns to create an income. ...
  3. Invest in dividend-paying stocks. ...
  4. Purchase bonds. ...
  5. Purchase an annuity.
Mar 28, 2022

How much interest will 50000 earn in a year? ›

An investor with $50,000 to invest for interest can earn from about $195 to about $2,300 in a year at current rates.

Where I can put money to avoid paying taxes? ›

There are a few methods that you can use to reduce your taxable income. These include contributing to an employee contribution plan, such as a 401(k), contributing to a health savings account (HSA) or a flexible spending account (FSA), and contributing to a traditional IRA.

How much money can you give away to avoid taxes? ›

According to the IRS, a gift occurs when you give property (like money) without expecting anything in return. If you gift someone more than the annual gift tax exclusion amount ($16,000 in 2022), the giver must file Form 709 (a gift tax return).

Will the IRS take a lump sum? ›

Lump Sum Cash: Submit an initial payment of 20% of the total offer amount with your application. If we accept your offer, you'll receive written confirmation. You must pay any remaining balance due on the offer in five or fewer payments. Periodic Payment: Submit your initial payment with your application.

Where is the best place to put a lump sum of money? ›

Saving with a savings account

Cash savings are always popular with people who want to put away a lump sum and earn interest over a long period of time. This can be a very good way to save for things, without taking on bigger levels of risk.

Is 100k a lot in savings? ›

But some people may be taking the idea of an emergency fund to an extreme. In fact, a good 51% of Americans say $100,000 is the savings amount needed to be financially healthy, according to the 2022 Personal Capital Wealth and Wellness Index. But that's a lot of money to keep locked away in savings.

How to invest $100 000 to make $1 million? ›

Invest $400 per month for 20 years

If you're earning a 10% average annual return and investing $400 per month, you'd be able to go from $100,000 to $1 million in savings in just over 20 years. Again, if your actual average returns are higher or lower than 10% per year, that will affect your timeline.

How much interest does $300000 earn in a year? ›

Living Off The Interest On $300,000

For example, the interest on three hundred thousand dollars is $10,753.86 annually with a fixed annuity, guaranteeing 3.25% annually. Find all the current fixed annuity rates here.

How much is $100 000 with 5% interest? ›

What is 5% interest on $100,000 in a savings account? If you have $100,000 in a savings account that pays five percent interest, you will earn $5,000 in interest each year. This works out to be $416.67 per month.

Is having 50k in savings good? ›

According to Fidelity, by age 30, you should have a year's salary in retirement savings. Based on the average salary at this age as sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, most 30-year-olds should have about $50,000 in retirement savings — so this means that many younger Americans are on track.

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