Here’s how long $1M in retirement savings will last in California (2024)

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.

Here’s how long $1M in retirement savings will last in California (2024)

FAQs

Here’s how long $1M in retirement savings will last in California? ›

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? ›

Putting that much aside could make it easier to live your preferred lifestyle when you retire, without having to worry about running short of money. However, not a huge percentage of retirees end up having that much money. In fact, statistically, around 10% of retirees have $1 million or more in savings.

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 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 can $1 m last? ›

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 many Americans have over $1 million in savings? ›

This number has been cited so often that investors may feel as if they're failing if they don't reach it. But that shouldn't be the case. 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.

What is considered wealthy in retirement? ›

To be considered wealthy at age 65 or older, you need a household net worth of $3.2 million, according to finance expert Geoffrey Schmidt, CPA, who used data from the 2019 Survey of Consumer Finances (SCF) to determine the household net worth needed at age 65 or older to determine the various percentiles of wealth in ...

How many people have over $1 million in their 401k? ›

A Fidelity spokesperson Tuesday said they counted 485,000 such accounts as of the first quarter of the year, up 15% from the previous quarter and up 43% from a year ago.

How much money do most people retire with? ›

Average retirement savings balance by age
Age groupAverage retirement savings balance amount
45-54$313,220.
55-64$537,560.
65-74$609,230.
75 and older$462,4100.
2 more rows
May 7, 2024

At what age can you retire with $1 million dollars? ›

Retiring at 65 with $1 million is entirely possible. Suppose you need your retirement savings to last for 15 years. Using this figure, your $1 million would provide you with just over $66,000 annually. Should you need it to last a bit longer, say 25 years, you will have $40,000 a year to play with.

What percentage of retirees have $4 million dollars? ›

According to a 2020 working paper from the Center for Retirement Research at Boston College, the top 1% of retirees—which a retiree with $4 million in assets would fall into—can expect to pay about 22.7% in state and federal taxes.

Can I retire at 62 with $400,000 in 401k? ›

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.

Can I retire at 65 if I have $1 million in a 401k and will receive $2500 monthly from Social Security? ›

Well, it certainly depends on your standard of living. But for most people the answer is yes. This should be enough to generate a comfortable income in most parts of the country.

At what age is 401k withdrawal tax free? ›

The IRS allows penalty-free withdrawals from retirement accounts after age 59½ and requires withdrawals after age 72. (These are called required minimum distributions, or RMDs). There are some exceptions to these rules for 401(k) plans and other qualified plans.

How much money do you need to retire comfortably in California? ›

How do other states rank? (NEXSTAR) — When it comes time to retire, you want to make sure you're financially ready.

Can you retire $1.5 million comfortably? ›

The 4% rule suggests that a $1.5 million portfolio will provide for at least 30 years approximately $60,000 a year before taxes for you to live on in retirement.

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.

How much money do you need to retire comfortably at age 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.

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