Yes, for some people, $2 million should be more than enough to retire. For others, $2 million may not even scratch the surface. The answer depends on your personal situation and there are lot of challenges you'll face. As of 2023, it seems the number of obstacles to a successful retirement continues to grow.
A $2 million retirement account invested entirely in an S&P 500 index fund would return an average of $200,000 per year. That's enough for most households to live on without even dipping into the principal, but in some years that account would take significant losses.
Assuming you will need $80,000 annually to cover your basic living expenses, your $2 million would last for 25 years without inflation. However, if inflation averaged 3% annually, your $2 million would only last for 20 years.
The good news: As long as you plan carefully, $3 million should be a comfortable amount to retire on at 55. If you're ready to be matched with local advisors that can help you achieve your financial goals, get started now.
A recent analysis determined that a $1 million retirement nest egg may only last about 20 years depending on what state you live in. 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.
Yes, for some people, $2 million should be more than enough to retire. For others, $2 million may not even scratch the surface. The answer depends on your personal situation and there are lot of challenges you'll face. As of 2023, it seems the number of obstacles to a successful retirement continues to grow.
Is $2 Million Enough to Retire at 55? A $2 million nest egg can provide $80,000 of annual income when the principal gives a return of 4%. This estimate is on the conservative side, making $80,000 a solid benchmark for retirement income with this sum of money.
Retiring at 45 with $2 million takes diligent saving and detailed planning, but it is possible. However, you'll have between 20 and 25 years to save, so you must save nearly $3,000 each to hit your goal.
Being rich currently means having a net worth of about $2.2 million. However, this number fluctuates over time, and you can measure wealth according to your financial priorities. As a result, healthy financial habits, like spending less than you make, are critical to becoming wealthy, no matter your definition.
As a result, retiring at 50 with $2 million means initially living on $5,833 each month and then adjusting for inflation each year. Of course, you can withdraw a higher amount before age 62, but you might take away from your principal if your portfolio underperforms.
A nest egg of $2.5 million is likely to be adequate for most retirees to retire in comfort for as long as they live. Variables that could affect this include healthcare costs, inflation, market downturns and life expectancy.
This obviously depends on what annual income you want to fund but if you want to be able to afford a comfortable retirement—which is an income of just over $48,000 a year for a single according to the ASFA Retirement Standard—then you need a balance of at least $500,000.
Can you live off of $2 million in assets? The answer is yes, if you manage your investment portfolio smartly. One common option is to invest $2 million in an index fund. But you will still need to make absolutely sure that you have a rainy day fund since the market can be reliable over decades but fickle over years.
U.S. Wealth Percentiles Provide Clearer Picture of Where You Rank. According to Schwab's 2023 Modern Wealth Survey, its seventh annual, Americans said it takes an average net worth of $2.2 million to qualify a person as being wealthy. (Net worth is the sum of your assets minus your liabilities.)
Can I retire at 60 with $3 million? Yes, you can retire at 60 with three million dollars. At age 60, an annuity will provide a guaranteed income of $183,000 annually, starting immediately for the rest of the insured's lifetime.
You can probably retire in financial comfort at age 45 if you have $3 million in savings. Although it's much younger than most people retire, that much money can likely generate adequate income for as long as you live.
The ATO classifies those who control a net wealth of $5 million or more as 'wealthy individuals'2.
Dated ways of describing someone worth n millions are "n-fold millionaire" and "millionaire n times over". Still commonly used is multimillionaire, which refers to individuals with net assets of 2 million or more of a currency.
The Bottom Line
Retiring at 50 is a great goal to have. If you have $3 million saved, it's likely that you'll be able to retire comfortably. You'll need to factor in your living expenses, inflation and the expected rate of return on your investments.
A $3 million portfolio will likely be enough to allow a retired couple to spend reasonably and invest with moderate caution without any worries of running out of money. However, if expenses rise too high, it's entirely possible to drain a $3 million portfolio in well under 30 years.
Is $1.5 million enough to retire at 60? Yes, you can retire at 60 with $1.5 million. At age 60, an annuity will provide a guaranteed income of $91,500 annually, starting immediately for the rest of the insured's lifetime.
The amount needed for retirement will be different for everyone, but for most people $2 million will be more than adequate. Here's a simple example of how a person could utilise that $2 million dollar amount over a 30-year period (60 to 90 years-old):
Retiring at 40 with $2 million is an ambitious goal, but that doesn't mean it's impossible. While you'll need a decent salary or other sources of income or wealth, saving $2 million is not out of reach.
Retiring at 50: The Basics
To retire at 50 with $1.5 million, your savings must produce sufficient income to cover your living expenses for several decades. As a result, it's essential to consider your lifestyle, expenses and investment income.