That's partly why today's financial advisors are telling people to plan for a 3% withdrawal rate. This advice follows the idea of "Hope for the best, plan for the worst." Plan your necessary expenses at 3%. If stocks tumble, and you're forced to withdraw 4% to cover your bills, you'll still be safe.
For many years, an older metaphor was used to make this point. Social Security benefits were said to be one leg of a three-legged stool consisting of Social Security, private pensions and savings and investment.
The retirement bucket strategy divides your retirement income into three buckets: short-term needs, mid-term needs and long-term needs. The goal is to have your income needs always met, regardless of market volatility.
Whereas last year's research suggested that a 3.3% withdrawal rate was a safe starting point for new retirees with balanced portfolios over a 30-year horizon, this year's research points to 3.8% as a safe starting withdrawal percentage, with annual inflation adjustments to those withdrawals thereafter.
One frequently used rule of thumb for retirement spending is known as the 4% rule. It's relatively simple: You add up all of your investments, and withdraw 4% of that total during your first year of retirement.
Although healthcare costs take up an increasingly large chunk of overall expenses in retirement, for most retirees the biggest expense is the same one they faced throughout much of their adult lives: housing. Overall housing costs don't just include monthly mortgage or rent payments.
A recent study determined that a $1 million retirement nest egg will last about 19 years on average. Based on this, if you retire at age 65 and live until you turn 84, $1 million will 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. If you're looking to be in the minority but aren't sure how to get started on that savings goal, consider working with a financial advisor.
However, we can give you a rough estimate. For example, if you live a modest lifestyle and have no significant health problems, then your $4,000,000 could last you 20-30 years in retirement.
The majority of retirees say that good health is the most important ingredient for a happy retirement, according to a Merrill Lynch/Age Wave (opens in new tab) report.
According to the Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia Limited (ASFA) Retirement Standard, for those wanting a 'comfortable retirement,' the average super balance at retirement should be around $640,000 for couples and around $545,000 for singles.
A good retirement income is about 80% of your pre-retirement income before leaving the workforce. For example, if your pre-retirement income is $5,000 you should aim to have a $4,000 retirement income.
According to data from the Federal Reserve's most recent Survey of Consumer Finances, the average 65 to 74-year-old has a little over $426,000 saved. That's money that's specifically set aside in retirement accounts, including 401(k) plans and IRAs.
The Stock Market
The historical S&P average annualized returns have been 9.2%. So investing $1,000,000 in the stock market will get you the equivalent of $96,352 in interest in a year. This is enough to live on for most people.
The answer is yes you can. But there are lots of factors to consider including how long $1.5 million will last in retirement.
High-Interest Savings Accounts
As an example, Chime Bank offers a high-interest savings account with an APY of 0.50%, as of February 3rd 2021. That would translate into $5,000 of interest on one million dollars after a year of monthly compounding. The 10-year earnings would be $51,140.13.
December 31st is always a popular retirement date, but this year, 2022, it's especially popular – because this year December 31st is also the last day of a pay-period, and last day of the month, and the last day of the leave year – a trifecta!