Can you retire on $900k [Updated April 2024] (2024)

However, if you model different spending scenarios, check the table below. It shows how $900k, assuming a 6% average annual return before taxes and 22% tax rate, would last over 25 years under different annual spending:

Initial savingsAnnual SpendingEnding Balance After 25 YearsEnough?Required Initial Savings
$50,000$845,246Yes$850,770
$60,000$556,735Yes$1,026,154
$900,000$70,000$268,224Yes$1,201,539
$80,000−$20,288No$1,376,923
$90,000−$308,799No$1,552,308

It's important to note that individual financial circ*mstances can vary significantly, finding a financial advisor is essential to develop a secure and personalized retirement plan.

How long will $900k last in retirement?

$900k can last you for over 25 years in retirement if your annual spending remains around $50,000, following the 4% rule.

However, it will depend on your age at retirement and spending needs as a retiree.

Assuming a 6% average annual return before taxes and 22% tax rate, the table below shows how long $900k could last under different yearly spending:

Spending Per YearYears It Will LastTotal InterestTotal WithdrawalTotal Taxes
$50,00028$1,260,000$1,400,000$308,000
$60,00023$1,035,000$1,380,000$303,600
$70,00019$855,000$1,330,000$292,600
$80,00017$765,000$1,360,000$299,200
$90,00015$675,000$1,350,000$297,000

Retirement plans, annuities and Social Security benefits should all be considered alongside the figure you have sitting in savings, and you should also bear in mind that expenses as a retiree tend to be low. Especially if any children are now financially solvent adults and large loans, such as your mortgage, have been paid off.

Can I retire on $900k plus Social Security?

With nearly $1 million saved for retirement, Social Security payments can provide a nice income bonus on top. But how much they’ll contribute depends on when you claim and your lifetime earnings.

The average monthly Social Security benefit is currently about $1,600. For an individual with average career earnings, this equates to $19,200 per year in retirement. Married couples would qualify for $32,000+ annually.

These benefits are increased by inflation and continue for life. So combined with prudent use of your $900k next egg, they provide an extra buffer. Your savings should generate around $36,000 yearly, allowing you to withdraw less early on while Social Security kicks in.

One consideration is taxation on your benefits, which varies based on income thresholds. With the right planning though, $900k in the bank and Social Security in your back pocket make for a financially-comfortable retirement.

What are the income taxes applicable to retirees with $900k?

When financially planning your retirement with $900,000 in savings, you must evaluate how taxes could reduce your accessible income. Your liability mainly depends on:

  • Your filing status (single filer, head of household, married filing jointly, etc.)

  • Where you live as states have varying tax rules

  • Where your retirement income is from (different tax rules per source)

  • Your total annual income

If you have a traditional pre-tax IRA, the withdrawals are taxable, while Roth IRAs allow tax-free withdrawals.

Here’s an example: You retire at 65 and plan for your $900k savings to last 20 years. Withdrawing $900,000 over 20 years means $45,000 in annual income, or $3,750 per month. This income level places you in the 24% federal income tax bracket for an individual, withdrawing from a traditional IRA or 401(k).

Can you retire at 50 with $900k?

Retiring 20+ years before conventional retirement age is certainly ambitious, but could be feasible with the right preparation and discipline. With $900,000 banked by 50, here are the key considerations:

  • What are your expected fixed annual expenses in early retirement (housing, healthcare, transportation, etc.)? Develop a detailed budget as these costs can add up substantially.

  • How much discretionary spending do you hope to cover for pursuits like travel and hobbies? Account for this in your income planning.

  • Can you maintain an investment portfolio optimized for an ultra early, potentially 40+ year retirement horizon to reduce sequence of returns risk?

  • Might you pursue side income via part-time work, monetizing a passion project, or other means? Extra income can give more flexibility.

While a $900k nest egg seems sizeable, spreading it over potentially 40+ years with inflation raises the degree of difficulty. Strict budgeting around necessities and luxuries and planning for supplementary income are imperative to increase the odds of sustaining this ultra early retirement goal.

Speaking with a financial advisor can provide an informed second opinion on the feasibility of achieving this dream, help stress test your income assumptions, and increase your chances of turning this vision into reality.

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Three routes to increased savings

You may now want to figure out how to increase your savings, growing that $900,000 to $1 million or more to give yourself some additional breathing room. Some extra disposable income as a retiree. Our best recommendations are as follows:

  1. Adjust your monthly budget and save where possible – try to avoid regularly spending your money on unnecessary things that matter less to you, in the grand scheme of things, than a happy and comfortable retirement. Set achievable lifestyle and financial goals with proper consideration of your future self. Cut back where you can, and redirect that money where it can be better used.

  2. Build a varied portfolio of investments, seeking expert advice – a solid and stable investment portfolio comprising several types of securities could be very helpful to you, significantly boosting your savings and improving your retirement. If you don’t know where to begin, speak with an expert financial advisor to get started on your journey into investing.

  3. Find the right retirement and pension products – many different savings accounts and products are available that can be helpful to you as a retiree. Annuities, for example, convert your savings into a guaranteed monthly income for a given period. This period could be the rest of your life if you purchase an annuity with a lifetime income rider.

The bottom line

If you’ve managed to save $900k for retirement, this is a viable savings for your post-work life.

This will guarantee you a valuable degree of security and comfort in your later years, and it’s a figure many will never reach

For retirement planning advice and investment guidance, connecting with an experienced financial advisor is highly recommended. They can guide you through the daunting world of retirement planning and lead you to success. Get started with Unbiased and find your perfect match.

Can you retire on $900k [Updated April 2024] (2024)

FAQs

Can I retire with 900k? ›

With $900,000 in a Roth IRA and $2,200 per month in Social Security, you may be able to afford to retire at age 66. However, it could mean some tight budgeting and thin margins. Instead, it might be wise to wait just an extra couple of years to let your portfolio and benefits grow a little bit more.

How long will $800 000 last in retirement? ›

So, with an initial $800k nest egg, you could potentially withdraw between $40k-60k per year over 20 years before completely depleting your retirement savings. Consulting with an experienced financial advisor can provide tailored advice to assess your retirement needs based on your situation.

What is the new amount needed to retire? ›

When it comes to retirement, Americans have a new number in mind — $1.46 million — for how much they think they will need to live comfortably, according to new research from Northwestern Mutual.

How long would $400 000 last in retirement? ›

This money will need to last around 40 years to comfortably ensure that you won't outlive your savings. This means you can probably boost your total withdrawals (principal and yield) to around $20,000 per year. This will give you a pre-tax income of almost $36,000 per year.

How long will 900k last in retirement? ›

Yes, it is possible to retire very comfortably on $900k. This allows for an annual withdrawal of around $36,000 from age 60 to 85, covering 25 years. If $36,000 per year or $3,000 per month meets your lifestyle needs, $900k should be plenty for retirement.

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 most people 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. Taken on their own, those numbers aren't incredibly helpful. After all, not everyone who is the same age will retire at the same time.

What is a good monthly retirement income? ›

Average Monthly Retirement Income

According to data from the BLS, average 2022 incomes after taxes were as follows for older households: 65-74 years: $63,187 per year or $5,266 per month. 75 and older: $47,928 per year or $3,994 per month.

What is the magic number to retire? ›

And this estimate is no different. Northwestern Mutual surveyed 4,588 adults and found: The new “magic” number for a comfortable retirement is $1.46 million. It's up 15% from last year's $1.27 million number and is also an eye-popping 53% higher than the 2020 estimate.

What is the average Social Security check? ›

As of March 2024, the average retirement benefit was $1,864.52 a month, according to the Social Security Administration. The maximum payout for Social Security recipients in 2024 is $4,873 a month, and you can only get that by earning a very high salary over 35 years.

How long can I retire on $500k plus Social Security? ›

Summary. If you withdraw $20,000 from the age of 60, $500k will last for over 30 years. Retirement plans, annuities and Social Security benefits should all be considered when planning your future finances. You can retire at 50 with $500k, but it will take a lot of planning and some savvy decision-making.

How long will $1 million 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.

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.

How many millions is enough to retire? ›

The final multiple — 10 to 12 times your annual income at retirement age. If you plan to retire at 67, for instance, and your income is $150,000 per year, then you should have between $1.5 and $1.8 million set aside for retirement.

How much money do you need to retire comfortably at age 65? ›

Financial planners often recommend replacing about 80% of your pre-retirement income to sustain the same lifestyle after you retire. This means that, if you earn $100,000 per year, you'd aim for at least $80,000 of income (in today's dollars) in retirement.

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