How long will $400,000 last in retirement?

Asked by: Prof. Anais Von IV  |  Last update: June 1, 2025
Score: 4.9/5 (43 votes)

Safe Withdrawal Rate Using our portfolio of $400,000 and the 4% withdrawal rate, you could withdraw $16,000 annually from your retirement accounts and expect your money to last for at least 30 years. If, say, your Social Security checks are $2,000 monthly, you'd have a combined annual income in retirement of $40,000.

Can you retire on $400,000 plus Social Security?

Combined with Social Security, this would give you $31,000 per year in pre-tax income. This isn't much to live on and it would only last you about 25 years before your portfolio runs out. Starting at age 87, you will need to coast on $16,000 per year in Social Security benefits for the rest of your life.

What is the average 401k balance for a 65 year old?

The average person age 65 and older has $272,588 in his or her 401(k), according to the latest data from retirement giant Vanguard. This is significantly higher than the average balance of $232,710 for this age group at the end of 2022.

Is $400,000 a good retirement?

By waiting to take Social Security later, wisely investing your funds, and reducing your cost of living, you might make $400,000 a viable retirement savings. Just shy of half a million dollars, $400,000 is nothing to sneeze at. It's a significant savings, and you should be proud of it.

What is a good monthly retirement income?

The ideal monthly retirement income for a couple differs for everyone. It depends on your personal preferences, past accomplishments, and retirement plans. Some valuable perspective can be found in the 2022 US Census Bureau's median income for couples 65 and over: $76,490 annually or about $6,374 monthly.

$400k Retirement How Long Will It Last If Single

22 related questions found

What is the average Social Security check at age 65?

The estimated average amount changes monthly. For example, the estimated average monthly Social Security retirement benefit for January 2025 is $1,976.

How long can I live off of $400,000?

This isn't much to live on and it would only last you about 19 years (assuming inflation adjustments) before your portfolio runs out. Starting at age 81, you would need to live exclusively on Social Security benefits for the rest of your life.

What percentage of Americans have $500,000 in retirement?

FAQs. What proportion of American households have saved at least $500,000 for retirement? Believe it or not, data from the 2022 Survey of Consumer Finances indicates that only 9% of American households have managed to save $500,000 or more for their retirement.

How much does a $400,000 annuity pay per month?

How much does a $400,000 annuity pay per month? As of January 2025, with a $400,000 annuity, you'll get an immediate payment of $2,400 monthly starting at age 60, $2,643 monthly at age 65, or $2,850 per month at age 70.

How many people have $1,000,000 in retirement savings?

According to estimates based on the Federal Reserve Survey of Consumer Finances, only 3.2% of retirees have over $1 million in their retirement accounts. This percentage drops even further when considering those with $5 million or more, accounting for a mere 0.1% of retirees.

At what point does a 401k really start to grow?

You truly don't start to see the magic of compound growth until 10 or 20 years of saving and investing. Then you'll finally see things start to blossom.

At what age is Social Security no longer taxed?

Social Security income can be taxable no matter how old you are. It all depends on whether your total combined income exceeds a certain level set for your filing status. You may have heard that Social Security income is not taxed after age 70; this is false.

Is it better to collect Social Security at 62 or 67?

You can start receiving your Social Security retirement benefits as early as age 62. However, you are entitled to full benefits only when you reach your full retirement age. If you delay taking your benefits from your full retirement age up to age 70, your benefit amount will increase.

Is 400k a lot of money?

$400,000 is a big annual household income. You can certainly survive just fine off $400,000 a year. However, based on the above expenses, a $400,000 household income only provides for an upper-middle-class lifestyle for a family of four in a big city.

How much wealth does the average American retire with?

What Is the Average Net Worth at Retirement? According to recent data from the Federal Reserve, the average net worth for those aged 65 to 74 was $1,794,600, which is more than four times the median net worth of $409,900. This significant difference is because the super-wealthy skew the average much higher.

How many people have $3000000 in savings?

There are estimated to be a little over 8 million households in the US with a net worth of $3 million or more.

How many Americans live paycheck to paycheck?

By that measure, around 30% of American households are living paycheck to paycheck, according to Bank of America's internal data. Further, 26% of households spend 95% or more of their income on necessities, the bank reports.

Can you live on $3,000 a month in retirement?

Top the amount with 401(k) savings, living on $3,000 a month after taxes is possible for a retiree. For those who only have social security benefits to rely on, there are many places where they can retire on their checks both in the USA and around the world.

Can I live off the interest of $400,000?

Not factoring in additional income from other sources or taking taxes into account, if you retire at 65 and plan to spread $400,000 across 15 years up to a life expectancy of 85, you'll receive, at minimum, $34,000 annually. This is if you factor in 2% inflation and an annual yield of 6%.

What is the 4 rule for retirement?

The most commonly recommended rule of thumb is the so-called 4% rule, which means you spend 4% of your portfolio every year, on an inflation-adjusted basis. So if you retire with $1 million, you take $40,000 the first year and then the next year you take out a little more based on inflation.

When my husband dies, do I get his Social Security and mine?

You cannot claim your deceased spouse's benefits in addition to your own retirement benefits. Social Security only will pay one—survivor or retirement.

What is the highest Social Security check?

The maximum Social Security benefit at full retirement age is $3,822 per month in 2024. It will be $4,018 a month in 2025. It's $4,873 per month in 2024 if retiring at age 70 and $2,710 if retiring at age 62. A person's Social Security benefit amount depends on earnings, full retirement age and when they take benefits.