Some retirement planners say the new rule of thumb is $3 million for retirement, but is this true? You may be able to retire on $3 million if you know where to invest your money. Although this amount may seem like a lot of money, it is reasonable when you break it down. Plus, you can ensure a comfortable retirement lifestyle by investing your money in the right places. So, if you are wondering whether or not you can retire on $3 million, read on for some helpful tips!
- Can You Retire On $3 Million? Is It Enough Money?
- How Long Will $3 Million Last In Retirement?
- What are Your Estimated Annual Income Needs In Retirement?
- How To Make $3 Million Last A Lifetime In Retirement, Guaranteed.
- Social Security
- How to Retire on 3 Million Dollars Immediately
- How to Retire on 3 Million Dollars in 5 Years
- How to Retire on 3 Million Dollars in 20 Years
- How To Retire On $3 Million By Age
- Why Use An Annuity?
- Keeping Up With Inflation
- Things To Consider When Retiring
- Next Steps
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Retirement Income Guides
- Request A Quote
Can You Retire On $3 Million? Is It Enough Money?
The short answer is yes. You can retire on $3,000,000. However, it will take careful planning to ensure that your money lasts as long as needed. Here are a few things to consider if you’re looking to retire on three million dollars:
- How long do you expect to live in retirement?
- What are your estimated annual income needs in retirement?
- Third, how much can you realistically expect to withdraw from your investment portfolio each year without running out of money?
- Finally, are you comfortable taking on more risk to potentially earn a higher return on your investment?
If you’re unsure about the answers to these questions, don’t worry. We will discuss each of them in more detail below.
How Long Will $3 Million Last In Retirement?
One of the most important factors to consider when deciding if you can retire on $3 million is how long you expect to live in retirement. The average life expectancy in the United States is about 79 years. However, this number will differ based on family history, lifestyle, and health.
If you retire at age 65 and expect to live to the average life expectancy of 79 years, your three million would need to last about 14 years. However, if you retire at 55 and expect to live to the average life expectancy, your nest egg must last for about 24 years.
As you can see, the longer you expect to live in retirement, the more critical it is to have a plan to make sure your money lasts as long as you need it to.
What are Your Estimated Annual Income Needs In Retirement?
Another critical factor to consider when deciding if you can retire on $3 million is your estimated annual income needs in retirement. This number will differ for everyone based on your lifestyle and desired retirement standard.
A good rule of thumb is to estimate that you will need about 70-80% of your pre-retirement income to maintain your standard of living in retirement. So, if you currently earn $100,000 annually, you would need an annual income of at least $70,000-$80,000 in retirement.
How To Make $3 Million Last A Lifetime In Retirement, Guaranteed.
The only way to guarantee you don’t run out of money in retirement is to purchase an annuity with a lifetime income rider. This guarantees you a certain amount of money each month for the rest of your life, no matter how long you live.
For example, if a 55-year-old person purchases a $3,000,000 annuity with a lifetime income rider and wants to retire in 10 years at age 65, that person would receive roughly $364,368 per year for the rest of their life. When the annuity owner dies, the remaining balance is passed down to beneficiaries in a lump sum.
Social Security
The average monthly Social Security Income in 2021 is $1,543 per person. In the tables below, we’ll use an annuity with a lifetime income rider coupled with SSI to better understand the income you could receive off $3,000,000 in savings. The data will be based on:
- Social Security Benefits will be based on couples at $3,086 total.
- Deferred annuity with an income rider providing a monthly income for life.
- The starting point will be age 62 since this is the earliest age to collect SSI.
How to Retire on 3 Million Dollars Immediately
The table below illustrates how much monthly income can be generated immediately with annuity payments and Social Security Income (SSI).
ADDITIONAL READING: How Much Does A $1,000,000 Annuity Pay?
If you retire on $3,000,000 starting immediately, your monthly income for life would be:
| Age | SSI | Annuity | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62 | $3,086 | $18,875 | $21,961 |
| 65 | $3,086 | $19,825 | $22,911 |
| 70 | $3,086 | $21,375 | $24,461 |
How to Retire on 3 Million Dollars in 5 Years
The table below illustrates how much monthly income can be generated in 5 years with a combination of annuity payments and Social Security Income (SSI). The “Age” column is the annuity purchase date. If you retire in 5 years on a $3,000,000 annuity, your monthly income for life would be:
| Age | SSI | Annuity | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62 | $3,086 | $28,704 | $31,790 |
| 65 | $3,086 | $29,730 | $32,816 |
| 70 | $3,086 | $31,825 | $34,911 |
How to Retire on 3 Million Dollars in 20 Years
The table below illustrates how much monthly income can be generated in 20 years with a combination of annuity payments and Social Security Income (SSI). The “Age” column is the annuity purchase date. If you retire in 20 years on $3,000,000, your monthly income for life would be:
| Age | SSI | Annuity | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 40 | $3,086 | $39,457 | $42,453 |
| 45 | $3,086 | $43,855 | $46,941 |
| 50 | $3,086 | $52,500 | $55,586 |
How To Retire On $3 Million By Age
The following guaranteed income amounts are annual and do not include Social Security Benefits.
Retire At Age 55 With $3 Million.
| Annuity Purchase Date | Annual Income At 55 |
|---|---|
| Age 40 | $409,907 |
| Age 45 | $360,762 |
| Age 50 | $246,600 |
| Age 55 | $195,000 |
Retire At Age 60 With $3 Million.
| Annuity Purchase Date | Annual Income At 60 |
|---|---|
| Age 40 | $473,482 |
| Age 45 | $465,194 |
| Age 50 | $416,400 |
| Age 55 | $290,079 |
Retire At Age 65 With $3 Million.
The following guaranteed income amounts are annual and do not include Social Security Benefits.
| Annuity Purchase Date | Annual Income At 65 |
|---|---|
| Age 40 | $548,129 |
| Age 45 | $526,254 |
| Age 50 | $521,270 |
| Age 55 | $431,711 |
Why Use An Annuity?
Annuities are the only retirement plan in the United States that provides a guaranteed income for a lifetime, even if the plan runs out of money. As a result, the annuity is a money management tool in retirement, taking all the guesswork in budgeting your day-to-day expenses. By utilizing this financial plan, a retiree will never have to worry about running out of money from their 401k or IRA, and you’ll be able to earn interest along the way!
Annuity Basics
Understanding Lifetime Income Riders
Keeping Up With Inflation
Some annuities offer a guaranteed lifetime income that can increase regularly to keep up with inflation. Once the income increases, the payment amount is locked in and can never go backward from that point forward.
Things To Consider When Retiring
- If you can’t afford to lose money, invest your savings without the risk.
- Inflation is rising whether you like it or not. So, plan accordingly or decrease your lifestyle.
- Per the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, you have a 70% chance of entering a Nursing Home, Assisted Living Facility, or Home Health Care. So buy long-term care insurance now.
- There is a 100% chance you will die, so buy affordable life insurance or, at the minimum, burial insurance for funeral expenses.
Next Steps
Now that you know it is possible to retire with three million dollars, the next step is to start planning for retirement. If you’re not sure where to start, we recommend contacting us. We can help you develop a retirement plan for your unique needs and goals. We hope this guide has helped show you that retiring with three million dollars is a realistic goal. So don’t wait any longer- contact us today for a free consultation!
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can I retire at 40 with $3 million?
You can retire at the age of 40 with three million dollars. If you get an immediate annuity, you will receive $165,078 yearly for the rest of your life. The payout changes often and varies by state.
Can I retire at 45 with $3 million?
Yes, you can retire at 45 with three million dollars. If you get an immediate annuity, you will receive $171,540 yearly for the rest of your life. The payout changes often and varies by state.
Can I retire at 50 with $3 million?
Yes, you can retire at 50 with three million dollars. At age 50, an annuity will provide a guaranteed income of $187,500 annually, starting immediately for the rest of the insured’s lifetime. The income will stay the same and never decrease.
Can I retire at 52 with $3 million?
Yes, you can retire at 52 with three million dollars. At age 52, an annuity will provide a guaranteed income of $190,500 annually, starting immediately for the rest of the insured’s lifetime. The income will stay the same and never decrease.
Can I retire at 55 with $3 million?
Yes, you can retire at 55 with three million dollars. At age 55, an annuity will provide a guaranteed income of $195,000 annually, starting immediately for the rest of the insured’s lifetime. The income will stay the same and never decrease.
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 $204,375 annually, starting immediately for the rest of the insured’s lifetime. The income will stay the same and never decrease.
Is $3 million enough to retire at 65?
A three million dollar annuity will provide a 65-year-old with roughly $221,250 annually for the rest of their life. When the annuity owner dies, the remaining balance is passed down to beneficiaries in a lump sum.
Retirement Income Guides
- Is 5 Million Enough To Retire At 60?
- How To Retire On 4 Million Dollars?
- Can You Retire On 2 Million Dollars?
- Can I Retire At 60 With $1.5 Million?
- How Long Will $1 Million Last In Retirement?
- How To Retire On $500K.
- How To Retire On $200K.
- How Much Should I Have Saved For Retirement By Age 40?
- Estimate Your 401k Growth With Our Online Calculator
- Estimate Your Traditional IRA Withdrawals With Our Handy Calculator
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- Calculate Your Future Retirement Spending With Our Retirement Income Calculator.