Start By Estimating Your Future Expenses
A 2020 survey from Schwab Retirement Plan Services found the average 401 participant thinks theyll need $1.9 million to retire, a 12% increase from the previous years survey. Of course, many people in the U.S. arent investing enough to reach that savings goaland the income it brings.
To find out if your retirement income will be enough, you have to start by estimating your retirement expenses.
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Your Retirement Lifestyle And Budget
Once youve decided on your retirement lifestyle, youll likely want to create a retirement spending plan that reflects your lifestyle choices.
This table shows a sample budget for an average retirement lifestyle1. For a simpler or more elaborate retirement lifestyle, your budget figures would be less or more.
Basic expenses | |
---|---|
Personal insurance and financial services | $1,561 |
The above example is for illustrative purposes only. Situations will vary according to specific circumstances.
- Footnote 1
- 1 Average spending by senior couples. Source: Statistics Canada, Survey of Household Spending in 2019
- Footnote 2
- 2 Includes property taxes, utilities, maintenance, property insurance, rent, mortgage payments
- Footnote 3
- 3 Includes gas, maintenance, insurance, lease and financing costs. Statscan figures include purchase costs of owned vehicles.
- Footnote 4
- 4 Includes cleaning supplies, furnishings, appliances, garden supplies and services.
- Footnote 5
- 5 Includes computer equipment and supplies, recreation vehicles, games of chance, educational costs.
A Method For Making Your Retirement Savings Last
Managing your retirement savings can be a balancing act. Withdraw too much too fast, and youll run out of money. Withdraw too little, and you may not get the full benefit of your savings. Following the 4% rule is a good way for many retirees to manage retirement withdrawals.
Lets dive deeper into the 4% rule, learn how it works, how to use it to manage your retirement withdrawals, and explore a few caveats to the rule.
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Making Your Retirement Savings Last Longer
There are several strategies you can use to make your retirement savings last longer:
- Delay your retirement If you think you have a shortfall in your retirement savings, you may decide to work longer, or work part-time, or have a side hustle in retirement that earns you income.
- Stick to a budget Having a budget in retirement helps you make your spending more predictable including planning for healthcare expenses, vacations, etc.
- Tax-efficient retirement withdrawal strategies There are ways you can manage the amount of income tax you pay in retirement.
Can You Retire On 2 Million Dollars

Shawn Plummer
CEO, The Annuity Expert
Can you retire on 2 million dollars? This guide will tell you how to retire on 2 million dollars for the rest of your life, guaranteed. In addition, well provide estimates on your retirement income at different age brackets.
If you are close to transitioning to retirement, check our Retirement Planning Guide.
If you are not close to transitioning to retirement, check out our Guaranteed Retirement Income Guide.
Use an annuity calculator to get a better idea of the retirement income generated.
This guide will answer the following questions:
- Is 2 million enough to retire?
- Is 2 million enough to retire at 65?
- Can I retire at 40 with $2 million?
- Can I retire at 50 with 2 million dollars?
- How long will 2 million last in retirement?
- Can I retire at 55 with $2 million?
- Can my wife and I retire on 2 million dollars?
- How much income can I receive from 2 million dollars?
- Whats the monthly interest on 2 million dollars?
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Plan For Healthcare Expenses
Unfortunately, most people dramatically underestimate their healthcare expenses and overestimate how much help they will receive from Medicare. In fact, a recent study from Fidelity shows that the average 65-year-old couple in 2021 will need approximately $300,000 saved after taxes to cover healthcare expenses in retirement.
Even with Original Medicare coverage, healthcare costs can quickly become incredibly expensive. In addition to the deductibles, monthly premiums and coinsurance payments that enrollees are responsible for paying each time they access care, most people will also have to pay for additional services and benefits that are simply not covered by Original Medicare. This can include prescription drugs and vision or dental care.
Fortunately, there are other Medicare coverage options that can help enrollees control and even cover a significant portion of these expenses. Because of the potential annual savings in out-of-pocket costs, all Medicare-eligible individuals should consider enrolling in a Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement or Medicare Part D plan that meets their needs.
It is important to remember that not all Medicare Advantage, Supplement, or Part D plans are created equal. Because they are offered by private companies, the additional services and prescriptions covered will vary from plan to plan.
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Can I Retire At 50 With $2 Million
Yes, you can retire at 50 with 2 million dollars. At age 50, an annuity will provide a guaranteed income of $98,750 annually, starting immediately for the rest of the insureds lifetime. The income will stay the same and never decrease.If the annuitant selected the increasing income option, they would receive $72,000 annually initially, with the income amount increasing over time to keep up with inflation.Either lifetime income option will continue to pay the annuitant even after the annuity has run out of money. At the time of the annuitants death, the designated beneficiary will inherit the remainder of the annuity.
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Tips For Making Your Retirement Savings Last
Once you know how long your retirement savings might last, its time to start thinking about ways to make your money last even longer. Here are a few tips to get you started:
- Review your budget and make adjustments as needed. One of the best ways to stretch your retirement savings is to review your budget and make any necessary adjustments carefully. This might include cutting back on unnecessary expenses, such as dining out or travel.
- Make sure youre taking advantage of all available tax breaks. Several tax breaks can help reduce the amount of taxes you owe, which can, in turn, help you stretch your retirement savings. Be sure to contact us or a tax professional for tax advice to see what breaks you might be eligible for.
- Consider working part-time during retirement. Working part-time during retirement can help supplement your income and make your savings last longer. Just consider the pros and cons before making any decisions carefully.
- Stay healthy and active. Keeping yourself healthy and active during retirement can help reduce overall healthcare costs, saving you a lot of money in the long run.
Social Security Pensions And Other Reliable Income Sources
The good news is that, if you’re like most people, you’ll get some help from sources other than your savings, such as your Social Security benefits. For most people, Social Security is a significant income source.
But the percentage of income that Social Security will replace is typically lower for higher-income retirees. For example, Fidelity estimates that someone earning $50,000 per year can expect Social Security to replace 35% of their income. But someone earning $300,000 per year would have a Social Security income replacement rate of just 11% on average.
If you aren’t sure how much you can expect, check your latest Social Security statement, or create a my Social Security account to get a good estimate based on your work history.
If you have any pensions from current or former jobs, be sure to take those into consideration. The same goes for any other predictable and permanent sources of income. For example, if you bought an annuity that kicks in after you retire, or youre tapping your home equity through a reverse mortgage.
Continuing our example of a couple that needs $8,000 in monthly income to retire, let’s say each spouse is expecting $1,500 per month from Social Security, and that one spouse also has a $1,000 monthly pension.
This means that, of the $8,000 in monthly income needs, $4,000 will come from guaranteed income. The remaining $4,000 will need to come from sources such as investments and savings.
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Can A Couple Retire On 2 Million Dollars
Yes, a couple can retire on two million dollars. Annuities can provide a guaranteed income for both spouses lifetimes. After researching 326 annuity products from 57 insurance companies, our data calculated that $2,000,000 would generate $100,000 annually starting immediately if both spouses were age 60, $111,000 if both spouses were age 65, and $121,000 if both spouses were age 70.
Want To Boost Your Score Here’s How
Here are some ways to boost your retirement readiness whether youre behind on your goals or are on track but maybe want to retire a little earlier.
“My score needs attention.”
An individual retirement account is one of the most popular ways to save for retirement given its large tax advantages. You can put in up to $6,000 a year. And if you’re 50 or older, you can contribute an additional $1,000 a year. » Learn more about IRAs
“On my way, but I could close the gap.”
The annual limit for 401 contributions is $20,500 in 2022 . Its wise to at least contribute up to the point where youre getting all of the matching dollars your employer might offer. » See about increasing your 401 contributions
“I’m on track, but I want to do more.”
A good advisor can help you understand complex issues, diagnose potential problems and take steps to plan for the future. And theyre not as expensive as you might think. » Learn how to choose a financial advisor
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How Much Do You Need For Retirement Savings
The exact amount varies depending on your goals, lifestyle, and needs. But as a rule of thumb, financial experts suggest saving 25 times your total annual expenses once you hit retirement. Its considered the safe amount, which will allow you to withdraw up to 4% of your retirement savings annually.
But in reality, many people are not able to save that much. According to the Federal Reserves 2019 Survey of Consumer Finances , the average retirement savings for all families was $255,130, while the median retirement savings for all families was only $65,000. In relation to this, the average annual household expenditure was $63,036 in 2019, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. It also showed a 3% increase from 2018, which will continue to increase over the years due to inflation.
Based on these figures, Americans are not saving enough to plan for a comfortable retirement. The average retirement savings is nowhere close to the ideal amount, which should be 25 times their total annual expenditures. Without ample retirement funds, many people will not be able to maintain their current standard of living once they stop working.
To assess if youre saving enough for retirement, see the age-to-savings guide below:
Case Study Results: Is $2 Million Enough To Retire At 60

Joe and Mary Schmoe celebrated their 35th wedding anniversary last weekend.
Their love carried them through a few moves, a few more careers, and two lovely children.
In 2022 they will each turn 60 years old. Dreams of retirement in a small town by the lake and making their $2 million last become their main focus.
It is time for them to enter a new chapter of their lives, together. Both in pristine health, they will need their money to last up to 35 years or until age 95!
I know what youâre thinking.
Planning to age 95 seems like a long time. Right?
As it turns out, a 60 year old married couple in 2022 has a 40% chance of at least one individual living to age 95!
The chart below illustrates the probability of living to different ages for a 60 year old in 2022.
To help us find out if $2 million is enough to retire at age 60 for Mary and Joe, we analyzed five different case studies.
Each case uses the following assumptions:
-
35 years of portfolio withdrawals
-
Tax rate after withdrawals begin is 20%
-
Income withdrawal increases every year at 2.25% to account for inflation
-
Average projected return is 5.45% per year
The only adjustment we made to each case study was the amount of annual withdrawal from the portfolio. This reflects differing income needs based upon lifestyle.
In the chart below, we summarize the monthly after-tax withdrawal amount from a $2 million portfolio and provide the probability of the money lasting 35 years in retirement.
It all depends.
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How Long Will $300000 Last In Retirement
If you have $300,000 and withdraw 4% per year, that number could last you roughly 25 years. Thats $12,000, which is not enough to live on its own unless you have additional income like Social Security and own your own place. Luckily, that $300,000 can go up if you invest it. If, for example, you invest in the stock market and get a return of 7% per year, then you can get $22,800 a year, which is $1,900 a month. Thatll last about 33 years at that rate.
Use A Retirement Income Calculator
With a retirement income calculator, you can keep playing around with different numbers to see how much you should save given Social Security benefits. Youll be able to imagine a future where you live over 30 years even though, again, one in ten are not great odds. Living another 20 years, though? Very likely/ Of course, when planning for the future incorporate a pessimistic vision as well so that youre well prepared.
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How Long Will $2 Million Last In Retirement
How long your $2 million will last in retirement depends on a few factors. First, it depends on how much income you will need to cover your basic living expenses. Other retirement income sources, such as a pension or investments, will also affect how long your $2 million will last.
Another factor that will affect how long your $2 million will last in retirement is inflation. If prices rise over time, your $2 million will not go as far as it would have if prices had remained the same.
Finally, your lifestyle in retirement will also affect how long your $2 million will last. If you plan to travel and live a luxurious lifestyle, your $2 million will not last as long as it would if you lived a more modest lifestyle.
Assuming you will need $80,000 per year to cover your basic living expenses, your $2 million would last for 25 years if there was no inflation. However, if inflation averaged 3% per year, your $2 million would only last for 20 years.
If you plan to live a more luxurious lifestyle in retirement, your $2 million will not last as long. For example, if you plan to travel the world and stay in 5-star hotels, your $2 million would only last for ten years.
To sum it up, how long your $2 million will last in retirement depends on your lifestyle and how much income you need to cover your basic living expenses. If you are careful with your spending, your $2 million could last many years. However, your $2 million may not last as long if you have a lavish lifestyle.
How Active You Are
One study showed that those who are active and exercise more will live longer than those who dont. If youre already a fitness nut, plan on living longer than your couch-potato counterparts. If you arent one who regularly exercises, get started now. You dont have to run full marathons, but you can ride a bike or even do some gardening for a couple of hours. Both of these simple tasks will help you live longer.
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How Can I Prevent Running Out Retirement Savings
One way to guarantee not to run out of retirement savings is to utilize an annuity to create a guaranteed income for life. An annuity is an insurance contract that pays out retirement income, and you can use it to create a stream of payments that will last as long as you live .
There are two main types of annuities: immediate and deferred. You make a lump sum payment with an immediate annuity and start receiving payments immediately. With a deferred annuity, you make periodic payments into the account and start receiving payments later . Annuity payments can even increase throughout retirement to keep up with inflation!
No matter which type of annuity you choose, be sure to consider your options before making a decision carefully. Several factors can impact how much guaranteed income youll receive from an annuity, such as the type of annuity, your age, and the current interest rates.
Tax Field In Run Out Calculator
The tax field is wide open for estimation since it is a factor of your personal situation. Twenty two percent may seem high since as of this writing due to a qualified dividend tax rate of 15% and potential retirement account advantages.
On the other hand, state taxes are important to remember. Taxes could also rise.
This example is simply to show you how to use this Run Out calculator to estimate if 1.5 million is enough to retire. Check with your CPA if you want help with taxes, but in reality, no one can predict future tax rates.
Again, I like to overestimate rather than underestimate expenses, and underestimate investment returns to decrease the probability of running out of money in retirement.
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