What is a reasonable retirement budget?
Retirement Expenses Vary: The amount needed for retirement varies depending on factors such as age, lifestyle, health, and location. A general rule suggests 80% of pre-retirement income, but individual circ*mstances can significantly impact spending.
Average Retirement Spending
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the average income of someone 65 and older in 2021 was $55,335, and the average expenses were $52,141, or $4,345 per month.
10x your annual salary by 67
To fund an “above average” retirement lifestyle—where you spend 55% of your preretirement income—Fidelity recommends having 12 times your income saved at age 67, which is the normal Social Security retirement age.
It would take $1.46 million to retire comfortably, according to a recent survey of 4,588 adults released Tuesday by financial-services company Northwestern Mutual. That is up from $1.27 million a year ago. And over $1 million more than the average survey participant's nest egg.
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.
Housing. Housing—which includes mortgage, rent, property tax, insurance, maintenance and repair costs—is the largest expense for retirees.
The median income for Americans 65 and older is $50,290. The mean (average) is $75,020. Average annual expenditures for Americans 65 and older are $57,818. The average Social Security retirement benefit check is $1,907 as of January 2024.
In fact, statistically, around 10% of retirees have $1 million or more in savings. The majority of retirees, however, have far less saved.
£300k in a pension isn't a huge amount to retire on at the fairly young age of 60, but it's possible for certain lifestyles depending on how your pension fund performs while you're retired and how much you need to live on.
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.
Do most people retire with enough money?
According a 2023 Fidelity report, Americans on average have saved only 78% of the amount they'll need in retirement, and 52% of U.S. households may not be able to pay for essential expenses in retirement. Fidelity Investments. Retirement Savings Assessment 2023 . Accessed Jun 23, 2023.
The short answer is yes, $500,000 is enough for many retirees. The question is how that will work out for you. With an income source like Social Security, modes spending, and a bit of good luck, this is feasible. And when two people in your household get Social Security or pension income, it's even easier.
Many experts recommend saving at least $1 million for retirement, but that doesn't take your individual goals, needs or spending habits into account. In turn, you may not need anywhere near $1 million to retire comfortably. For instance, if you have $500,000 in your nest egg, that could be plenty for your situation.
That means that even if you're not one of those lucky few who have $1 million or more socked away, you can still retire well, so long as you keep your monthly budget under $3,000 a month.
State | Average Retirement Income |
---|---|
California | $34,737 |
Colorado | $32,379 |
Connecticut | $32,052 |
Delaware | $31,283 |
Social Security offers a monthly benefit check to many kinds of recipients. As of December 2023, the average check is $1,767.03, according to the Social Security Administration – but that amount can differ drastically depending on the type of recipient. In fact, retirees typically make more than the overall average.
In fact, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics states that in 2021, the average retiree household spends around $50,000 a year in living expenses. Interestingly, this compares favorably to the average for all households in the United States, which stood closer to $63,000, but it's still a substantial figure.
For most retirees, Social Security and (to a lesser degree) pensions are the two primary sources of regular income in retirement. You usually can collect these payments early—at age 62 for Social Security and sometimes as early as age 55 with a pension.
That breaks down to monthly spending of just under $4,100 per month. The largest monthly expense was housing, followed by transportation and food. If you're planning to live frugally in retirement, spending under $50,000 a year may sound achievable, but it's not a realistic target for every couple.
According to recently released data from the SSA's Office of the Actuary, just over 590,000 retired-worker beneficiaries were receiving $1,298.26 per month at age 62, as of December 2023. That compares to about 2.11 million aged 66 retired-worker beneficiaries who were taking home $1,739.92 per month.
What does the average American retire with?
The above chart shows that U.S. residents 35 and under have an average of $30,170 in retirement savings; those 35 to 44 have an average $131,950; those 45 to 54 have an average $254,720; those 55 to 64 have an average $408,420; those 65 to 74 have an average $426,070; and those over 70 have an average $357,920.
2022. Meanwhile, the average Social Security check for the 2.27 million retired workers at age 66 is $1,719.85. Lastly, the close to 2.96 million retired-worker beneficiaries who were 70 years old in Dec. 2022 were bringing home $1,963.48.
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 you need to live off interest depends entirely on your expenses and where the balance is invested. A million dollars in a retirement account might produce enough income for the median American to get by, but you'd need larger returns to cover a six-figure lifestyle. Consider your lifestyle goals, too.
Approximately 28% of women have nothing saved for retirement, compared to 20% of men. To retire comfortably, experts estimate that retirees need a little over $1 million saved, but the exact number depends on how the retiree wants to live and where.
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