Can I Retire At 52 With $3 Million
Yes, you can retire at 50 with three million dollars. At age 52, an annuity will provide a guaranteed income of $148,125 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 $112,500 annually initially, with the income amount increasing over time to keep up with inflation.
How Long Will My Money Last Using The 4% Rule
One way to estimate how long your retirement savings will last is by using the four percent rule. This rule of thumb suggests that you can withdraw four percent of your retirement savings each year and still have enough money to last for 30 years.
For example, lets say you have $100,000 in retirement savings. Using the four percent rule, you could withdraw $4000 per year and still have enough money to last for 30 years.
Of course, this is just a general guideline your actual withdrawals will depend on factors such as your investment return, inflation, and how long you expect to live in retirement.
The 4% rule has recently been criticized for being too aggressive. Many experts now recommend using a withdrawal rate of three percent or less to make sure your retirement savings last as long as possible.
How Spending Habits Change As You Grow Older
While healthcare costs increase, some costs shrink considerably or even disappear when you retire. Once you stop going to work, your spending habits evolve as your priorities change. Your risk tolerance is also lower when it comes to investments. This means youre less likely to invest in new or unfamiliar ventures than when you were younger. Knowing your resources are now limited, youll prioritize costs that are more practical and beneficial at a later stage in life.
Heres how the following expenses are affected after you retire:
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How Long $1 Million In Savings Will Last In Every State
You may be surprised how fast $1 million goes in some states. Plan Your Retirement
Pinpointing the exact amount that you need to save to retire comfortably is a difficult task and reaching that goal is equally hard. According to the 2021 Planning and Progress Study by Northwestern Mutual, people surveyed believed they will need slightly more than $1 million $1,047,200 to retire comfortably, even as the average amount Americans have saved is a tick under $100,000.
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Now, a $1 million nest egg certainly sounds like it would be enough to support you for the rest of your lifetime. But how long would that really last? It depends on where you live.
To determine how long $1 million in savings will last across the country for someone 65 or older, GOBankingRates analyzed data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics 2020 Consumer Expenditure Survey and factored in the states overall cost of living index score for 2021 from the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center. Annual costs were further broken down by multiplying more specific annual expenditure figures from the CES by MERICs cost of living for groceries, utilities, transportation and health care. All 50 states then were ranked with No. 1 being the state where $1 million will last the longest and No. 50 being the state where it will run out most quickly.
To Enjoy Retirement Be Flexible With Your Spending
This is one of the most important conversations we have with clients as they approach retirement. We remind them they dont know how long their health will allow them to keep doing the things they love, so make these activities a priority.
Whether its traveling the world or splurging on season tickets at the ballpark and dining at four-star restaurants, your expenses may exceed the 4% rule in the early years. But thats OK. In reality, retirement spending often comes in a U shape as opposed to a straight line. Retirees often spend more in their 60s and 70s and less in their 80s. One of our favorite stories involves a client who was spending more than 4% shortly after he retired, and we warned him that he could run out of money if financial markets took a big hit. His response was unforgettable. He said he was losing a good friend of his almost every year, and he wanted to make sure he did everything he ever wanted to do before his number was up.
He said if the stock market crashes, wiping out a significant portion of his wealth, he would be just fine sitting on the back porch sipping lemonade while waiting for the grandchildren to come over and play. He was extremely comfortable tying his retirement largely to the U.S. economy and markets. Are you willing to do this to some degree?
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Why You May Need Millions To Retire Comfortably
Heres a chart I put together of a real family of three just getting by on $300,000 a year. This family has over a $5 million net worth and is living a relatively middle class lifestyle. $5 million is a lot of money. However, with interest rates so low, its hard to generate enough risk-adjusted cash flow to pay for all your living expenses in an expensive metropolitan area.
The reality is, to generate $300,000 a year from your invested capital would take at least $7,500,000 at a 4% rate of return. Therefore, having a $5 million net worth may not be enough to retire early with kids in a big city.
The family could take on more risk to try and get higher returns. However, when youve already won the game, you tend to stop playing as aggressively. The best move is probably for the family to relocate to a lower-cost area of the country. The only problem with this move is leaving behind a network of friends and family.
How Long Will My 401 Last
The answer to this question depends on several factors, including how much you have saved and how much you plan to withdraw each year. However, if you are careful with your withdrawals and invest wisely, your 401 could last for many years. This is because an annuity guarantees your life income, no matter how long you live or the markets perform.
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Why $3 Million Is The New $1 Million
The reality is, withdrawing at a 4% rate is no longer recommended. Further expected returns for stocks, bonds, and other investments are down. Meanwhile, the risk-free rate of return is under 3% and likely heading lower as the economy fades.
Instead of sticking to a fixed withdrawal rate or net worth multiple target, adopt of dynamic safe withdrawal rate. This way, youll adapt with the changing times.
Today, to be a real millionaire, you will need much more than $1 million. With $3 million, you can withdraw at a more appropriate 2% or 3% and generate $60,000 $90,000 a year. $60,000 $90,000 a year still isnt living a rich lifestyle. But its inline with the real median household income of roughly $68,000.
In addition, we should all pray the government doesnt raise the minimum Social Security age to something absurd like 70+ years old to make the system whole. The average American should also pray the government doesnt drastically cut payouts.
If our prayers arent answered, lets hope our 401s and IRAs dont get taxed out the wazoo come distribution time. If our hopes for a well-managed government are crushed, then surely well have developed multiple income streams by retirement so no one event can get us down!
Glenn Carter Of Thecasualcapitalistcom
Glenn is an investor, family man, and entrepreneur who runs several part-time businesses to supplement his income and live a flexible life. Hes also an expert on the sharing economy. If you hate budgeting, you might enjoy his alternative strategy to keeping a budget.
How much do you need for retirement and why?
My personal retirement magic number is $1,050,000, which I came up with by totaling my monthly expenses and multiplying it by 25.
My family and I spend about $3,500 a month on everything, so if I multiply that by 12 for one year, then multiply the product to 25 that will give me $1,050,000.
What conservative investment option can you recommend to a friend whos afraid of risk?
I personally invest in real estate. If done with proper education, real estate is the most conservative investment option you can have.
But if you prefer something a bit more passive, or doesnt require any subject expertise, Glenn recommends,
Get a robo-advisor service like WealthSimple or Betterment, so they can automate your retirement savings and you dont need to think about it.
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Craig Stephens Of Retirebeforedadcom
Craig Stephens runs the blog Retire Before Dad, where he documents his goal of retiring before his father, and the lessons he learned about travel, investing, early retirement, and personal finance.
How much do you need for retirement and why?
I anticipate to need about $1.5 to $2 million, and to be completely debt-free to fund our desired retirement lifestyle. This range accounts for a combination of factors, including expected expenses, the 4% safe withdrawal rate, inflation, and a healthy buffer.
Craig also said the budget includes in-state college tuition for his three kids.
What conservative investment option can you recommend to a friend whos afraid of risk?
One conservative investment option I can recommend is the real estate crowdfunding platform, Fundrise. Real estate crowdfunding is relatively new, but it gives ordinary investors access to high-quality diversified real estate investments through their eREIT products.
The minimum investment at Fundrise is $1000, while the returns range from 8% to 12%.
The New Millionaire Realty
Being a millionaire is nice, but its not what it used to be. Inflation is like a sneaky cat that steals all your food when youre not looking. If you want to be a real millionaire, shoot for at least a $3 million net worth. Aim to hit the net worth targets in my average net worth for the above average person post.
With a $3 million net worth and no government support at age 65, you can spend a comfortable $60,000 $90,000 a year without fear of running out of money. You can probably go nuts and spend up to $150,000 a year for several years to really live it up.
Remember, were trying to replicate in todays dollars the type of lifestyle a $1 million net worth would have provided 30+ years ago. Not only are we looking to mimic the lifestyle, were also trying to mimic a persons financial state of mind. After all, one of the main purposes of having lots of money is so you can worry less about money.
At least shoot for having $1 million in investable assets excluding the value of your primary residence. Once you have your housing squared away and all your debt paid off, you dont need a six-figure retirement income to live a great life.
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Current Prices Vs Historical Prices
Heres a chart I put together with rough prices of goods and services today vs. in the past. This chart shows why having a $1 million net worth is not longer enough to be considered a real millionaire.
The most absurd rises in costs are college tuition, automobile, and housing prices.
Unless you are already rich or receive a scholarship, I dont think its worth paying $58,500 in tuition to attend AOCs alma mater or similar private universities. Education is free now thanks to the internet. Go to a public school and use those savings to start a business or invest instead.
$39,500 for the average automobile price today vs. $68,000 for the median household income is also an interesting comparison. It shows why its so easy for the typical person to get into so much financial trouble. Sure, financing and leasing makes cars more affordable. But borrowing money gives people a false sense of wealth, especially if they arent aggressively saving already.
Finally, housing continues to be the most expensive cost for most people. Therefore, it makes sense for most people to get neutral housing by owning their own primary residence. Once you see yourself living somewhere for 5+ years, I would buy real estate following my 30/30/3 rule.
After studying the above chart, if you want to build wealth, you should be more motivated to go long housing, healthcare stocks, food and beverage stocks, commodities, farmland, and education.
Dreams Of Becoming A Real Millionaire
The most I ever thought Id make after graduating from my public university, The College of William & Mary, was $100,000. Thats how much a senior foreign service official was making back in the late 1990s. I respected my fathers work and used him as a barometer for success.
I thought Id start off at $30,000 and work my way up to that elusive six-figure mark by the time I was 60. If I diligently saved at least 20% of my income and invested wisely, reaching the magical $1 million figure would be achieved.
But instead of going into the public sector, I joined a bulge bracket Wall Street firm that paid handsomely. Actually, it didnt for the first year with a base salary of $40,000 in expensive New York City. In exchange for the potential to make six-figures one day, I worked like an indentured servant.
Every single MD at Goldman Sachs was a millionaire. I quickly became accustomed to the fact that Id join their ranks if I stayed the course. Going public in 1999 was a cataclysmic event of wealth for everyone at the firm.
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David Lester Of Iheartmoneyca
David worked part-time at Merrill Lynch in college, before he worked in the Bank of Montreal and later moved on to advertising. He now helps others gain a better control of their finances through his books and coaching services.
How much do you need for retirement and why?
Like the others listed here, David plans to have everything paid off before he retires.
I plan to have CAD $5 million in dividend paying investments that will earn me $250,000 at a 5% yield before taxes. That will roughly amount to $150,000 for 30 years assuming the inflation rate remains at 3%. Im investing my money now and working hard to get my current yield to pay off my mortgage as fast as I can. After that, Ill concentrate on investing to reach my CAD $5 million goal in 30 years.
What conservative investment option can you recommend to a friend whos afraid of risk?
Buy a low-cost dividend exchange-traded fund . It will have stocks of companies with a history of solid returns, like Coca Cola, Disney, and Microsoft.
Where To Go For More
We hope that the figures in the tables below will get you thinking.
For more information on the factors to consider when planning your retirement income needs, refer to the SuperGuide article How much super do I need to retire?
The data in these tables is a small selection of possible outcomes. To plug in your own numbers, check out SuperGuidesSuper to income Reckoner which has nearly 4,500 options.
We also encourage you to try out MoneySmarts Retirement Planner calculator with your projected super balance, retirement age, length of retirement and estimated investment returns. The calculator also allows you to enter outside savings and investments.
Disclaimer: This article is only intended to give approximate retirement income figures that $3.2 million in super may achieve. These figures do not take into account your personal circumstances or assets and are also based on projections about future investment returns which may not be achieved. We recommend that you undertake your own additional research for your own retirement planning, and wherever possible seek independent financial advice.
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Inflation Really Makes Having Millions More Necessary
When I was working at McDonalds for $4.00 an hour in 1994, I filled up my 1987 Toyota Corolla FX16 babe-mobile for $1 a gallon. I distinctly remember not being excited about making $4.00 an hour.
However, I had to do it because my parents didnt give me much spending money. Besides, I wanted to do more than treat the ladies to free apple pies and Mcflurries.
The minimum wage in America is now between $8 $15 an hour. Meanwhile, a gallon of gas is anywhere from $3.3 $4.2 a gallon depending on where and what type you get.
Its interesting the minimum wage used to be 4X the amount of one gallon of gas . Now the gap has fallen to only ~3X as the cost of goods has surged faster than wage inflation.
Its important to grow your earnings faster than your costs. Increase that gap as wide as possible. If you havent asked for a raise in more than one year, its time to get that hike. In addition, it is important to own real assets like real estate to ride the inflation wave. Both rents and real estate will appreciate with or faster than inflation.
With the world coming out of a pandemic slump, higher inflation is here. The latest CPI figure was 78.6%, a 40-year high! Inflation should moderate over the next couple years. However, inflation will likely stay above the target 2% for years to come.
