Here’s how long $1M in retirement savings will last in California (2024)

For Americans planning to retire soon, having $1 million in savings might seem like enough, but depending on where someone decides to spend their post-working years, that money may or may not go very far.

A new study from Go Banking Rates analyzed how long a $1 million retirement fund will last nationwide.

The study assumed a retirement age of 65 or older and examined the annual cost of living expenses, such as housing, utilities, and food, in all 50 states. Researchers used the latest data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ 2020 Consumer Expenditure Survey and the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center.

In some states, like Mississippi and Oklahoma, a $1 million retirement fund would last about 22 years.

In other states like New York and Hawaii, which already have high cost of living expenses, the $1 million retirement fund would last less than 15 years.

For retirees in California, the annual cost of living expenses would be $72,319.57, meaning a $1 million retirement fund would last for about 14 years.

Retirement can often last 25 years or more, according to Fidelity.

Financial experts shared that $1 million may not have the same longevity as it once did in certain states due to changing factors like inflation.

It’s important to note that retirement funds will look different for everyone. Experts and financial institutions, like Fidelity, recommend that people put away about 15% of their annual income for retirement.

But it’s ok if that amount isn’t feasible for everyone to do. Fidelity still recommends people put away at least 1% of their annual income until they reach that 15% mark.

The full Go Banking Rates study can be viewed here.

Here’s how long $1M in retirement savings will last in California (2024)

FAQs

Here’s how long $1M in retirement savings will last in California? ›

For retirees in California, the annual cost of living expenses would be $72,319.57, meaning a $1 million retirement fund would last for about 14 years. Retirement can often last 25 years or more, according to Fidelity.

How long will $1 million last in retirement in California? ›

How Long Will $1 Million In Retirement Savings Last In Your State? A 65-year-old retiree living in California can expect $1 million in savings to last under 14 years, while that amount will last almost 21 years in Texas.

What percentage of retirees have $1 million dollars? ›

Putting that much aside could make it easier to live your preferred lifestyle when you retire, without having to worry about running short of money. However, not a huge percentage of retirees end up having that much money. In fact, statistically, around 10% of retirees have $1 million or more in savings.

Can you live off interest of $1 million dollars? ›

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.

How much will I make a month with $1 million in 401k? ›

At the current Treasury rate of 4.3%, a $1 million portfolio would generate about $43,000 per year, or roughly $3,500 per month. With your Social Security payments that would generate about $6,000, again enough to live comfortably in most places.

How long can $1 m last? ›

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.

What percentage of retirees have $2 million dollars? ›

According to EBRI estimates based on the latest Federal Reserve Survey of Consumer Finances, 3.2% of retirees have over $1 million in their retirement accounts, while just 0.1% have $5 million or more.

How many Americans have over $1 million in savings? ›

This number has been cited so often that investors may feel as if they're failing if they don't reach it. But that shouldn't be the case. In fact, statistically, just 10% of Americans have saved $1 million or more for retirement. Don't feel like a failure if your nest egg isn't quite up to the seven-figure level.

At what age should you have $1 million in retirement? ›

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. However, it's important to remember there is no one-size-fits-all amount.

How much does the average 70 year old have in savings? ›

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.

How much money do most people retire with? ›

Average retirement savings balance by age
Age groupAverage retirement savings balance amount
45-54$313,220.
55-64$537,560.
65-74$609,230.
75 and older$462,4100.
2 more rows
May 7, 2024

What percentage of retirees have $4 million dollars? ›

According to a 2020 working paper from the Center for Retirement Research at Boston College, the top 1% of retirees—which a retiree with $4 million in assets would fall into—can expect to pay about 22.7% in state and federal taxes.

How much income will $1 million generate? ›

Saving a million dollars is a big achievement, but many Americans fear it won't be enough. One rule of thumb suggests $1 million would generate around $40,000 each year, adjusted upward for inflation. Instead of picking a figure, work out what income you might need in your old age and work backward from there.

Can I retire at 62 with $400,000 in 401k? ›

If you have $400,000 in the bank you can retire early at age 62, but it will be tight. The good news is that if you can keep working for just five more years, you are on track for a potentially quite comfortable retirement by full retirement age.

How many Americans have $1000000 in their 401k? ›

(TND) — A record number of people have reached $1 million in their 401(k) retirement accounts, according to Fidelity Investments. A Fidelity spokesperson Tuesday said they counted 485,000 such accounts as of the first quarter of the year, up 15% from the previous quarter and up 43% from a year ago.

Can I retire at 65 if I have $1 million in a 401k and will receive $2500 monthly from Social Security? ›

Here, say that you have $1 million in a 401(k) or IRA, and expect to receive $2,500 per month in Social Security payments, a number right in the mid-range of possible benefits. Can you retire at 65? Well, it certainly depends on your standard of living. But for most people the answer is yes.

How much money do you need to retire comfortably in California? ›

A retiree in California would need $90,399 annually to live comfortably during retirement.

Can you retire $1.5 million comfortably? ›

The 4% rule suggests that a $1.5 million portfolio will provide for at least 30 years approximately $60,000 a year before taxes for you to live on in retirement.

Can a couple retire at 65 with $1 million dollars? ›

It's definitely possible, but there are several factors to consider—including cost of living, the taxes you'll owe on your withdrawals, and how you want to live in retirement—when thinking about how much money you'll need to retire in the future.

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