Regardless of how you cut it, $1 million in dollar bills is a lot of money, and did you know that it would literally weigh a ton and take you about 12 days to count them all?
A $1 million nest egg was once considered the benchmark for successful retirement planning. It was deemed sufficient to have a dream retirement and leave a lasting legacy.
However, the $1 million nest egg has been diminishing recently. You can find articles like “How to Get By on $1 Million in Retirement” everywhere you look, offering tips on how to stretch your savings by retiring abroad or using your home equity.
Let’s find out if having a ton of money will still enable you to live comfortably into your golden years.
Key Takeaways:
- The answer to the question “can you retire with a million dollars?” depends on various factors, including your desired lifestyle, risk tolerance, health, life expectancy, location, and other income sources.
- While $1 million may be enough for some to retire comfortably, others may need more or less depending on their individual circumstances.
- It’s crucial to consider these factors and plan accordingly to ensure your retirement savings last throughout your golden years.
The question of whether a million dollars is enough to retire comfortably is a common one that weighs heavily on many people’s minds. While there is no one-size-fits-all answer, this article will delve into the various factors that influence how long a million dollars can last in retirement and provide guidance on how to increase your retirement savings to reach your financial goals.
Factors to Consider:
1. Desired Retirement Lifestyle:
Your vision for your retirement lifestyle plays a significant role in determining how much money you will need. If you plan to travel extensively, indulge in luxurious experiences, or frequently dine at high-end restaurants, you will likely require a larger retirement nest egg compared to someone who envisions a simpler and more frugal lifestyle.
2. Risk Tolerance and Rate of Return:
During retirement, many individuals adjust their investment portfolio to a less risky mix of stocks, bonds, and cash alternatives. While this reduces volatility, it generally comes with lower potential returns. Finding the right balance between risk and return can significantly impact the longevity of your retirement savings.
3. Health and Life Expectancy:
Healthcare expenses can consume a substantial portion of your retirement funds, depending on your health status and the type of coverage you have. Additionally, if you have a family history of longevity, you might live longer than average, requiring a larger nest egg to cover your expenses throughout your extended retirement.
4. Location in Retirement:
The cost of living and tax rates vary significantly across different states. Some retirees choose to relocate to areas with lower costs of living to stretch their retirement savings further.
5. Other Income Sources:
Social Security income, part-time work, and other sources of income can supplement your retirement savings and help them last longer.
6. Impact of Inflation:
Inflation erodes the purchasing power of your savings over time, making it crucial to consider its impact on your retirement planning.
How to Increase Your Savings:
1. Aim to Save 10% of Your Income:
Saving 10% (or more) of your annual pre-tax income for retirement is a good starting point, especially if you have an employer-sponsored retirement plan with matching contributions.
2. Leave Your Savings Untouched:
Avoid withdrawing money from your retirement accounts before retirement to maximize the benefits of compounding returns.
3. Utilize Financial Tools:
Empower’s financial tools, such as the Retirement Planner, can help you assess your retirement needs and determine whether a million dollars is enough for your circumstances.
While a million dollars may be a significant sum, it’s important to remember that the question of whether it’s enough to retire comfortably depends on various factors. By carefully considering your individual circumstances and planning accordingly, you can increase your chances of enjoying a secure and fulfilling retirement.
Figuring Out How Much Is Really Enough for Retirement
Despite what some blogger writing from their mother’s basement might try to tell you, it is very possible to retire with dignity on $1 million today with careful planning and a sound investing plan!
It’s definitely possible to have a comfortable retirement with $1 million if you plan to retire in 10 or 20 years, but there are a number of factors to take into account when estimating how much money you’ll need to retire in the future. These factors include the cost of living, the taxes you’ll owe on your withdrawals, and your desired retirement lifestyle.
Is $1 Million Really Enough to Retire On?
Consider all of your retirement accounts as your goose, and the growth your investments generate annually inside those accounts (i.e., the money your money makes) as the golden eggs you intend to live off of in retirement. Recall the old fable about the goose that laid the golden eggs.
Here’s the idea: You want to have enough money in your retirement account to allow you to live off the annual growth of your investments (the “golden eggs”) without having to draw from the principal (the “goose”) of your retirement savings.
Suppose that by the time you retire, your retirement accounts have $1 million. Historically, the average annual rate of return for the stock market has been between 2010 and E2%80–9312%. 1 Therefore, you might be able to live off of $100,000 to $120,000 annually without ever touching your $1 million dollar goose if your $1 million is invested in solid growth stock mutual funds.
But let’s be even more conservative. Even if your account produces average returns somewhere in the ballpark of 7% each year—that’s still $70,000 worth of income to work with. (Keep in mind that the average household income in America today is around $69,700 per year.)2
Now, the million-dollar question is: Can you survive in retirement on an annual income of roughly $70,000 to $120,000? Only you can answer that!
Of course, keep in mind that 10–12% is an average. Some years your money will grow even more than that. In other years, your returns could be lower or even negative. If you become careless and cease monitoring the performance of your investments, you may find yourself depleting your savings faster than you anticipated and becoming dependent on Social Security (more accurately, Social Insecurity).
In retirement, you should continue to work with a financial advisor who can help you manage your investments and ensure that you don’t unintentionally shoot the goose!
How to Live on a Million Dollars Forever
FAQ
Can you live off interest of $1 million dollars?
How much income will $1 million generate?
Can a million dollars last your whole life?
How much interest does $1 million dollars earn per year?
Can you live off 1 million dollars a year?
If you want to get a little bit more fancy, you can start by withdrawing just $40,000 a year, and then ladder up from there along with inflation. The point is, it’s definitely possible to live off of 1 million dollars (even if you retire early). Derek has a Bachelor’s degree in Finance and a Master’s in Business.
How long does a $1 million a year last?
Assuming you withdraw $50,000 per year, your $1 million can last for 20 years. However, if you add an average inflation rate of 2%–4% each year, your $1 million can last for around 15 years. This amount of money may not be enough for a comfortable retirement.
How long can you live off a 1 million dollar nest egg?
It’s possible to live off a 1 million dollar retirement nest egg as long as you use $50,000 per year to cover your basic living expenses. Assuming you withdraw $50,000 per year, your $1 million can last for 20 years. However, if you add an average inflation rate of 2%–4% each year, your $1 million can last for around 15 years.
Can you retire on $1 million?
It’s important to keep two important things in mind, whether you’re wondering if you can retire on $1 million or can you retire $1.5 million comfortably. The average life expectancy, 77, is just an average. You might live longer. Another thing to consider when looking at how much is enough to retire is when you plan to start taking Social Security.