Saved $1 million for retirement? Here's where your money will last the longest around the U.S. (2024)

FAQs

Saved $1 million for retirement? Here's where your money will last the longest around the U.S.? ›

Americans looking to stretch their retirement savings may want to head to states in the South or the Midwest, a recent analysis suggests. Around the U.S., a $1 million nest egg can cover an average of 18.9 years worth of living expenses, GoBankingRates found.

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.

In fact, statistically, around 10% of retirees have $1 million or more in savings. The majority of retirees, however, have far less saved.

Southern and Midwestern states are best for retirees looking to make their money last, according to a Jan. 5 analysis from GoBankingRates.

For someone holding $1 million in assets, then, a simple index fund would theoretically throw off about $100,000 per year in returns. On paper this means you could generate $100,000 per year, or $8,300 per month pre-tax, without ever drawing down on the principal.

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.

Yes, it is possible to retire with $1 million at the age of 65. But whether that amount is enough for your own retirement will depend on factors that include your Social Security benefits, your investment strategy and your personal expenses.

The Federal Reserve also measures median and mean (average) savings across other types of financial assets. According to the data, the average 70-year-old has approximately: $60,000 in transaction accounts (including checking and savings) $127,000 in certificate of deposit (CD) accounts.

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.

While having a net worth of about $2.2 million is seen as the benchmark for being rich in America, it's essential to remember that wealth is a subjective concept. Healthy financial habits and personal perspectives on money are crucial in defining and achieving wealth.

How much money do most people have in the bank when they retire? ›

What is the average and median retirement savings? The average retirement savings for all families is $333,940 according to the 2022 Survey of Consumer Finances.

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.

One of the best US cities to retire with $1 million in retirement savings, Fayetteville boasts a cost of living that is 10.2% lower than the national average.

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. Here's how to think about it.

For example, $1 million would've lasted you around 20 years in Florida, according to GoBankingRates' 2022 analysis. And it would've stretched for a little over 25 years in Mississippi, per last year's study. But don't be too discouraged — a "comfortable" retirement will look different for everyone.

A $1.5 million nest egg can be more than enough to retire on, but it depends entirely on how much money you plan on spending. The more income you expect to replace, the more you will need to draw down from your retirement account and the larger it will have to be.

You plan to retire at 60 and place your life expectancy at 90, so you'll need an income to carry you through 30 years. With $1 million, assuming your money doesn't increase or decrease too dramatically in value during those 30 years, you'll be guaranteed a minimum of $33,333 annually or $2,778 monthly.

What is the average and median retirement savings? The average retirement savings for all families is $333,940 according to the 2022 Survey of Consumer Finances.