1 million dollars doesn’t go that far in retirement like it used to do. In fact, a recent survey found that investors believe they will need at least 3 million dollars comfortable retirement. But it’s still possible to retire with $1 million, even as early as 55, if you’re smart about it. It will require some careful planning as you will have to wait 10 years for Medicare, but it can be done. If you’re not sure how to get started, consider working with a Financial Advisor.
Additional costs in early retirement
A million dollars is a great egg, but when planning for retirement, people often count on getting Social Security checks and Medicare. If you retire at 55, you’ll have several years before you qualify for both. Medicare doesn’t work until you are 65 years old and you won’t be eligible for full Social Security payments until you’re 66 or 67, depending on your birth year.
You can choose to start receiving Social Security benefits when you turn 62, but Medicare can’t be rushed without serious problems. disabilities. This means you’ll have to pay out-of-pocket for insurance and medical expenses for the first seven years of retirement, which could take a toll on your $1 million.
Another consideration is a longer time retirement simply costs more. When you retire at 55 instead of waiting until 66, your savings will need to cover 11 more years of expenses and 11 years of less income. Despite these warnings, wise financial planning will allow you to retire at 55 with $1 million in savings.
How to plan your retirement
To plan for retirement, you first need to estimate your lifespan. If you retire at 55 and live an average of 79, your savings will need to last for 24 years. You can use the 4% rule to see what this would look like. This rule says that if you spend no more than 4% of your retirement savings each year, adjusted for inflation, your savings should last for 30 years.
Now, 4% of $1 million is $40,000. If you own your home and live in an area with a low cost of living, this may be enough. You can also use a computer to see what your Social Security payments will look like. Between your savings and Social Security, you can live quite comfortably — but remember, you’ll have at least seven years before you start getting Social Security checks. If that doesn’t sound like enough for you to live on, you may need to make some big lifestyle changes to retire at 55.
That said, the 4% rule is an oversimplified rule. Many experts note that it is not the best method for retirement planning and should only be a starting point. You can take a deeper look at your unique financial situation with a retirement calculator or by talking to a Financial Advisor.
You should also plan for taxes. According to Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), here are five key tax areas that can affect retirees:
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Social Security tax: Whether you owe tax on Social Security payments depends on your total retirement income and whether you file jointly or separately with your spouse. Use this spreadsheet from the IRS to determine if your Social Security benefits are taxable.
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Retirement tax: You will owe income tax on your retirement in the year you withdraw.
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Retirement account tax: You will owe income tax when withdrawing from a Traditional IRA or 401(k) in the year you make the withdrawal. On the other hand, Roth IRAs and Roth 401(k)s It is funded in after-tax dollars, which means you won’t owe any taxes on the money you withdraw.
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Estate planning tax: You should start thinking about how much money or other assets you hope to pass on to your loved ones. Sometimes inheriting property before you die can benefit all parties, including tax benefits for you.
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Other taxable accounts: the Tax Invoicing becomes more complicated if you have taxable accounts other than the investments that generate capital increase or interest income.
How to improve your retirement prospects
Retirement at 55 with $1 million is entirely possible, but you’ll need to have a decent income. financial plan. You can set yourself up for success with these tips:
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Reduce your fixed costs: If you’re worried about how long the $1 million will last, you can cut your costs dramatically by downsizing your home, moving to an area with a lower cost of living, or Pay off your debt before you retire.
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Diversify your investments: Having a diversified portfolio is a great way to minimize risk and maximize returns.
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Get expert advice: A financial advisor will be essential in creating an investment strategy if you want to retire early.
bottom line
If you want to retire early with $1 million, it’s certainly doable, but you should have a clear understanding of what your expenses and income will look like in retirement. Plan ahead and hire a professional if needed so you can enjoy your retirement without any major financial surprises.
Retirement planning tips
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When you’re financially planning for retirement, it’s important to consider spending. T. Rowe Price says to start by assuming you’ll spend 75% of your pre-retirement income. However, a financial advisor can help determine the correct spending expectations for retirement. Finding a financial advisor is not difficult. SmartAsset’s free tool connects you with up to three vetted financial advisors serving your area, and you can interview the right advisors for you for free to decide which one is right for you. If you are ready to find an advisor who can help you achieve your financial goals, start right now.
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If you’re not sure how much you need to save for your golden years, consider SmartAsset’s free use retirement calculator. Our tool will give you an estimate based on when you plan to retire, how much you are currently saving, your annual retirement expenses, etc.
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Looking to relocate so you can retire early? Check out SmartAsset’s recent research on The best cities to retire early
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