For Americans planning to retire soon, having $1 million in savings might seem like enough, but depending on where someone decides to spend their post-working years, that money may or may not go very far.
A new study from Go Banking Rates analyzed how long a $1 million retirement fund will last nationwide.
The study assumed a retirement age of 65 or older and examined the annual cost of living expenses, such as housing, utilities, and food, in all 50 states. Researchers used the latest data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ 2020 Consumer Expenditure Survey and the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center.
In some states, like Mississippi and Oklahoma, a $1 million retirement fund would last about 22 years.
In other states like New York and Hawaii, which already have high cost of living expenses, the $1 million retirement fund would last less than 15 years.
For retirees in California, the annual cost of living expenses would be $72,319.57, meaning a $1 million retirement fund would last for about 14 years.
Retirement can often last 25 years or more, according to Fidelity.
Financial experts shared that $1 million may not have the same longevity as it once did in certain states due to changing factors like inflation.
It’s important to note that retirement funds will look different for everyone. Experts and financial institutions, like Fidelity, recommend that people put away about 15% of their annual income for retirement.
But it’s ok if that amount isn’t feasible for everyone to do. Fidelity still recommends people put away at least 1% of their annual income until they reach that 15% mark.
The full Go Banking Rates study can be viewed here.
FAQs
For retirees in California, the annual cost of living expenses would be $72,319.57, meaning a $1 million retirement fund would last for about 14 years. Retirement can often last 25 years or more, according to Fidelity.
How long will $1 million last in retirement in California? ›
How Long Will $1 Million In Retirement Savings Last In Your State? A 65-year-old retiree living in California can expect $1 million in savings to last under 14 years, while that amount will last almost 21 years in Texas.
What percentage of retirees have $1 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 will I make a month with $1 million in 401k? ›
At the current Treasury rate of 4.3%, a $1 million portfolio would generate about $43,000 per year, or roughly $3,500 per month. With your Social Security payments that would generate about $6,000, again enough to live comfortably in most places.
How long will $1.5 M last in retirement? ›
If you retire at 62, you can reasonably expect to live to 82 if you're a man or almost to 85 if you're a woman, according to data from the Social Security Administration. That means your $1.5 million portfolio needs to last at least 20 years, but it can also grow.
Can a couple retire at 65 with $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.
Can you live off interest of $1 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.
How many Americans have over $1 million in savings? ›
In fact, statistically, just 10% of Americans have saved $1 million or more for retirement. Don't feel like a failure if your nest egg isn't quite up to the seven-figure level. Regardless of your financial position, however, you should strive to save and invest as much as you can.
What percentage of Americans have a net worth of $1000000? ›
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 does the average American retire with? ›
The average retirement savings for all families is $333,940, according to the 2022 Survey of Consumer Finances. The median retirement savings for all families is $87,000.
If you have $400,000 in the bank you can retire early at age 62, but it will be tight. The good news is that if you can keep working for just five more years, you are on track for a potentially quite comfortable retirement by full retirement age.
At what age should you have $1 million in retirement? ›
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. However, it's important to remember there is no one-size-fits-all amount.
At what age is 401k withdrawal tax free? ›
401(k) withdrawals after age 59½
Once you reach 59½, you can take distributions from your 401(k) plan without being subject to the 10% penalty. However, that doesn't mean there are no consequences. All withdrawals from your 401(k), even those taken after age 59½, are subject to ordinary income taxes.
How long should $1 million dollars last in retirement? ›
Around the U.S., a $1 million nest egg can cover an average of 18.9 years worth of living expenses, GoBankingRates found. But where you retire can have a profound impact on how far your money goes, ranging from as a little as 10 years in Hawaii to more than than 20 years in more than a dozen states.
What percentage of retirees have $2 million dollars? ›
According to EBRI estimates based on the latest Federal Reserve Survey of Consumer Finances, 3.2% of retirees have over $1 million in their retirement accounts, while just 0.1% have $5 million or more.
How much money do you need to retire comfortably in California? ›
In a high-cost of living state such as California, you'll need to save more to make it through. Americans think they'll need $1.27 million to live a comfortable retirement, according to the 2023 Planning & Progress Study from life insurance company Northwestern Mutual. That's up from $1.25 million in 2022.
How much to retire comfortably at 65? ›
Some strategies call for having 10 to 12 times your final working year's salary or specific multiples of your annual income that increase as you age. Consider when you want to retire, goals, annual salary, expected annual raises, inflation, investment portfolio performance and potential healthcare expenses.
