How To Retire At 62 Efficiently And Not Run Out of Money

Shawn Plummer

CEO, The Annuity Expert

It is more important than ever to plan for retirement today. However, many people don’t know how to go about retiring efficiently. If you’re one of those people, don’t worry – this guide is for you! This guide will discuss the best ways to retire at 62. So if you’re ready to learn, keep reading!

When Can You Retire From A Job?

The age at which you can retire from a job depends on several factors, including your age, your employer’s retirement policies, and any agreements you have made with your employer.

In most cases, the decision to retire is a personal one based on various factors, including your financial situation, your health, and your personal goals and preferences. Some people may choose to retire at a relatively young age, while others may prefer to work for as long as possible.

In the United States, the age at which you are eligible to receive full Social Security retirement benefits is 66. Still, you can begin receiving reduced benefits as early as age 62. In addition, many employers also offer retirement benefits, such as pensions or 401(k) plans, which may allow you to retire earlier.

It is essential to carefully consider your options before retiring, as the decision can have significant financial and personal implications. Speaking with a financial planner or another financial professional may help you evaluate your options and make an informed decision.

How Much Do I Need To Retire At 62?

This is a great question and does not have a simple answer. It depends on your lifestyle and how much money you want to have to come in every month. However, a good rule of thumb is to try and generate at least 75% of your current pre-retirement income.

For help with budgeting your retirement income, we recommend the following:

How To Retire At Age 62 Efficiently And Not Run Out Of Money

How Do I Withdraw From My Retirement Accounts Efficiently?

The best way to withdraw from your retirement accounts is to maintain the account’s value while earning interest gradually.

Now that you are 62, you can begin collecting social security benefits. However, these benefits will only replace about 40% of your pre-retirement income. This is why many people look into annuities to supplement their retirement income.

Annuities with lifetime income riders automate this withdrawal process and, in most cases, provide more monthly income than most financial advisors suggest withdrawing on your own. In addition, some annuities allow your retirement income to increase to hedge against inflation.

Annuity Benefits

  • Annuities guarantee an income for the rest of your life, even after the account spends down to zero.
  • Some annuities can increase your “retirement paycheck” to keep up or surpass the inflation rate.
  • Deferred annuities with lifetime income riders can earn interest while collecting income.
  • Any balances left over from deferred annuities will pass down to beneficiaries in a lump sum at the time of the owner’s death.

Once you turn age 62, you are eligible to collect Social Security Income. Annuity and Social Security income together can create a well-rounded monthly retirement paycheck.

Annuity Basics

Understanding Lifetime Income Riders

How Much Retirement Income Can I Receive At 62?

The following table will estimate how much annual guaranteed income a 62-year-old can receive from a $1,000,000 annuity with a guaranteed lifetime withdrawal benefit, now or in the future. This table does not include Social Security Benefits.

Current AgeIncome At 62
40$150,261
45$136,271
50$134,933
55$107,114
60$77,704
62$70,375

Retire At 62 Calculator

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What Are The Best Retirement Options For Someone Age 62?

When you retire at 62, you have a few options regarding your retirement accounts. You can leave your money, roll it into an IRA, or convert it into a Roth IRA.

First, rolling your 401k into an IRA gives you more control over your money and its investment. You’ll also be able to take distributions from your account without a penalty. Another viable option is rolling the 401(k) into an IRA annuity.

Converting your 401k to a Roth IRA is another option, but it should be carefully considered. With a Roth IRA, you’ll pay taxes on the money you convert now, but all future distributions will be tax-free. So this can be a good option if you think your retirement tax rate will be higher than it is now.

Can I Retire At 62?

The short answer is: maybe. It depends on a few factors, such as how much money you saved and your retirement goals. You must save money to retire comfortably and still have a good lifestyle. Experts typically recommend having at least $500,000 saved up before you retire.

Of course, everyone’s retirement goals are different. Some people are content with a more modest lifestyle, while others want to continue living the lifestyle they did before they retired. So it all depends on your circumstances.

How To Retire At 62 Comfortably

If you want to retire at 62, you must have a plan. Like anything else, if you want to achieve something, you need to have a plan and put that plan into action. The first step is figuring out how much money you’ll need to save to live comfortably.

This can be difficult to answer because everyone’s definition of “comfortable” differs. However, a good rule of thumb is to have at least enough saved to cover your basic living expenses for at least five years. This will ensure you have a cushion in case anything unexpected arises.

Once you know how much money you’ll need to save, you can start working on a retirement plan. There are a few different options when it comes to retirement plans, but the three most popular are 401(k)s, IRAs, and annuities.

Things To Plan For When Retiring At 62

When you’re planning for retirement, there are a few things you need to take into consideration.

The first is determining how much monthly income you need to cover your basic living expenses. This includes your mortgage, rent, food, utilities, transportation, and healthcare.

Inflation is another factor you must account for, as your costs will likely increase over time.

Next, consider how much income you’ll need to cover additional expenses. This could include travel, entertainment, hobbies, or anything else that brings joy to your life.

Finally, you need to make sure you have enough saved up to cover any unexpected costs that may arise. This could include medical bills, home repairs, or anything else that comes up unexpectedly.

Safely Investing Your Retirement Savings

Now that we’ve put a plan in place to replace your pre-retirement income, the next step is to plan for additional funds used for investing.

Our rule of thumb is if you can’t afford to lose money, you shouldn’t be in a position to lose money. This is where fixed index annuities come into play.

Fixed index annuities provide the potential to earn interest based on the performance of an underlying market index (S&P 500, Dow Jones, Nasdaq), but with a 0% floor, which means your account can never go down, no matter how low the market goes.

With a fixed index annuity, you can earn interest while your money is safely invested and not subject to market volatility.

Plan For Long-Term Care

No one likes to think about needing long-term care, but it’s essential to retirement planning. Unfortunately, long-term care can be expensive, and if you don’t have the right coverage in place, it could deplete your retirement savings.

There are a few different plans for long-term care costs. One option is to purchase a long-term care insurance policy. This will ensure you have the funds to cover any long-term care costs.

Another option is to purchase a life insurance policy or annuity with a long-term care rider. This rider provides benefits that can be used to cover the cost of long-term care. In most cases, the benefits paid out will not be taxable.

The best way to plan for long-term care costs is to purchase a long-term care annuity or a life insurance policy with a long-term care rider because it cuts the cost of a nursing home, assisted living, or home health care down to a fraction of the actual cost. Also, remember that this isn’t “use or lose it” insurance (think auto insurance), which means you can recoup some of the money back or pass it down to beneficiaries.

For example, one long-term care annuity will triple your investment to pay for your LTC expenses in the future. $50,000 investment = $150,000 of long-term care benefits (tax-free)

Protecting Your Loved Ones

Once you plan to replace your income and cover long-term care costs, the next step is to protect your loved ones.

Life Insurance

One way to do this is to purchase life insurance. Life insurance can provide peace of mind knowing that your loved ones will be taken care of financially if something happens to you.

Shop and compare life insurance quotes to find the best policy at the lowest price.

Create A Trust

Another way to protect your loved ones is to create trust. A trust can help you manage your assets and ensure they are distributed according to your wishes.

A trust can also help you avoid probate, a legal process that can be time-consuming and expensive.

Annuities With Enhanced Death Benefits

Finally, consider an annuity with an enhanced death benefit rider. This rider provides a death benefit more significant than the annuity’s account value. In most cases, the death benefit will cover most of the tax burden to your beneficiaries.

For example, one deferred annuity currently offers a 30% bonus on the annuity’s total value at the time of your death, which will pay most, if not all, of your beneficiary’s taxes.

Related Reading: Can I Get Life Insurance At 62?

Is Retiring At 62, A Good Or Bad Idea?

Pros of retiring at 62

Retiring at 62 has its advantages. Here are some of the pros of retiring at 62:

Early access to Social Security benefits

One of the most significant benefits of retiring at 62 is early access to Social Security benefits. Although you will receive a reduced monthly benefit, you can start receiving benefits earlier than if you wait until your full retirement age.

Time for travel and hobbies

Retirement gives you the time to do what you’ve always wanted. Whether traveling, spending time with family and friends, or pursuing hobbies, retiring at 62 provides ample time to do the things you love.

Avoiding burnout

Retiring at 62 also allows you to avoid burnout. If you’ve been working for a long time, retirement can be an opportunity to take a break and recharge your batteries.

Cons of retiring at 62

Retiring at 62 also has its downsides. Here are some of the cons of retiring at 62:

Reduced Social Security benefits

As mentioned earlier, retiring at 62 means you will receive a reduced monthly Social Security benefit. However, you may receive a higher monthly benefit if you can wait until your full retirement age or even later.

Limited earning potential

Retiring at 62 also means limited earning potential. If you plan to continue working, your Social Security benefits may be reduced, and you may have to pay taxes on your benefits if you earn above a certain threshold.

Increased healthcare costs

Retiring at 62 also means increased healthcare costs. If you retire before becoming eligible for Medicare at age 65, you must pay for health insurance out of pocket, which can be expensive.

Factors to consider when deciding to retire at 62

When deciding to retire at 62, several factors should be considered. Here are some factors to consider:

Financial situation

Your financial situation is a crucial factor in deciding to retire at 62. If you have enough retirement savings and Social Security benefits, you may be able to retire comfortably at 62. However, retiring at 62 may not be the best idea if you have insufficient savings and limited retirement income.

Retirement goals

Your retirement goals should also be considered. If you have specific retirement goals, such as traveling or pursuing hobbies, retiring at 62 may be the right decision. However, if you enjoy your work and have not yet accomplished your career goals, retiring at 62 may not be the best idea.

Health status

Your health status is another crucial factor to consider. If you have health issues that make working challenging, retiring at 62 may be the right decision. However, if you are in good health and enjoy your work, retiring at 62 may not be necessary.

How To Retire At 62 With Little Money

Retiring at 62 with little money can be daunting, but it’s not impossible. Here are some tips to help you retire comfortably, even with limited retirement savings:

  • Reduce your expenses: One of the most effective ways to make your retirement savings last longer is to reduce your expenses. This could mean downsizing your home, cutting back on non-essential spending, and finding ways to save money on everyday expenses like groceries and utilities.
  • Consider a part-time job: Working part-time in retirement can help supplement your retirement income and make your savings last longer. Look for opportunities that match your skills and interests, such as consulting or freelancing.
  • Delay Social Security: At age 62, you can begin to collect Social Security benefits; however, this will reduce your monthly benefit amount. To guarantee that you receive the optimal payment, it is best to wait until you reach your full retirement age, which can range from 66 – 67 (depending on when you were born).
  • Explore other sources of income: In addition to Social Security and part-time work, there are other sources of retirement income you may be eligible for, such as a pension, annuity, or rental income.
  • Consider a retirement community: Retirement communities can offer affordable housing, social activities, and access to healthcare services. Look for communities that offer a range of amenities and services to meet your needs.
  • Work with a financial advisor: A financial advisor can help you create a retirement plan that considers your unique financial situation and goals. They can also help you identify strategies to make your retirement savings last longer.

Next Steps

Retirement planning can seem daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. If you take the time to plan and use the strategies in this guide, you can retire comfortably at age 62. Contact us today for a complimentary retirement quote, and let us help you get started on your path to a worry-free retirement.

We want to ensure that everyone has enough money to enjoy their golden years without stress about finances.

So what are you waiting for? Get in touch with us today and let us help you create a retirement plan that will leave you feeling confident and carefree.

How To Retire At 62

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much do I need to retire at 62?

This depends on several factors, including your lifestyle and how much income you will need to cover your expenses. However, as a general rule of thumb, you must generate at least 75% of your pre-retirement income to maintain your standard of living in retirement.

How can I retire at 62 with little to no money?

A few options are available if you have little to no money saved for retirement. One option is to downsize your lifestyle and live in a more affordable location. Another option is to continue working part-time during retirement. Finally, you may collect monthly payments from Social Security.

How much can you earn if you retire at 62?

If you retire at 62, you can collect Social Security benefits. The amount you receive will depend on your work history and earnings. For more information, please visit the Social Security Administration website. For lifetime income, use our annuity calculator.

Can I retire at 62 and still work part-time?

Yes, you can retire at 62 and still work part-time. This can be a great way to supplement your income and help you cover your expenses in retirement.

Do I need long-term care insurance if I retire at 62?

Long-term care insurance is not required, but it is recommended. Long-term care insurance can help cover the costs of care if you need assistance with activities of daily living due to an illness or injury.

Which is better, retiring at 62 or 67?

This depends on your circumstances. For example, if you are healthy and plan to continue working, you may want to wait until you are 67 to retire. This will allow you to delay collecting Social Security benefits and potentially increase your monthly payments. On the other hand, if you are not in good health or do not plan to continue working, retiring at 62 may be your best option.

Is it wise to retire at 62 if I have a minor child?

This depends on your circumstances. For example, if you have a minor child, you may want to wait until they are older before retiring. This will allow you to delay collecting Social Security benefits and potentially increase your monthly payments.

If you retire at 62, can you get Medicare?

No, you cannot get Medicare at 62. You must be 65 or older to be eligible for Medicare benefits. Please visit the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services website for more information.

Where can I get health insurance if I retire at 62 and can not get Medicare?

Your options for health insurance are through the Marketplace, COBRA from your previous employer, private health insurance, or getting a job that offers health insurance.

Related Reading

*Disclosure: Some of the links in this guide may be affiliate links. I may receive a commission at no cost if you purchase a policy. It helps us keep the lights on!

Shawn Plummer

CEO, The Annuity Expert

I’m a licensed financial professional focusing on annuities and insurance for more than a decade. My former role was training financial advisors, including for a Fortune Global 500 insurance company. I’ve been featured in Time Magazine, Yahoo! Finance, MSN, SmartAsset, Entrepreneur, Bloomberg, The Simple Dollar, U.S. News and World Report, and Women’s Health Magazine.

The Annuity Expert is an online insurance agency servicing consumers across the United States. My goal is to help you take the guesswork out of retirement planning or find the best insurance coverage at the cheapest rates for you. 

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