What is the 6 rule for retirement?

Asked by: Miss Halie Larson  |  Last update: December 11, 2025
Score: 4.8/5 (47 votes)

A switch to the 6% rule could provide much-needed financial relief. For example, for a new retiree with savings of $500,000, withdrawing 6% instead of 4% would provide an extra $10,000. Unfortunately, the reality is that such a high withdrawal rate significantly increases the chances of your account running dry.

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.

Can I retire at 62 with $400,000 in 401k?

If you have $400,000 in the bank you can retire early at age 62, but it will be tight. The good news is that if you can keep working for just five more years, you are on track for a potentially quite comfortable retirement by full retirement age.

How long will $1 million last in retirement?

A report on Yahoo Finance states that if you have $1 million in savings, it would last approximately 22 years, 2 months, and 14 days, with an annual healthcare cost of $6,618.35 and total annual expenditures of $45,011.10​​.

How long will $400,000 last in retirement?

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.

This Study Changes the 4% Rule In Retirement

38 related questions found

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.

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.

How many people have $3000000 in savings?

Probably 1 in every 20 families have a net worth exceeding $3 Million, but most people's net worth is their homes, cars, boats, and only 10% is in savings, so you would typically have to have a net worth of $30 million, which is 1 in every 1000 families.

How much does a $1,000,000 annuity pay per month?

How much does a $1 million annuity pay per month? As of January 2025, with a $1,000,000 annuity, you'll get an immediate payment of $6,000 monthly starting at age 60, $6,608 monthly at age 65, or $7,125 monthly at age 70.

What is the magic number for retirement savings?

The magic number that most Gen Xers feel they need to retire is $1.56 million. This is much higher than the average amount they have saved — $108,600 — and higher than most Americans feel they will need. In short, Gen X retirement is in trouble.

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

Ideally, the rate of return on your investments is enough for you to live off of, so you never need to touch your principal. With $400,000 saved and factoring in an average annual rate of return between 10–12%, you'll have between $40,000 and $48,000 to live off of each year.

What is the average Social Security check?

As of March 2024, the average retirement benefit was $1,864.52 a month, according to the Social Security Administration. The maximum payout for Social Security recipients in 2024 is $4,873 a month, and you can only get that by earning a very high salary over 35 years.

Will Social Security not be taxed in 2025?

Missouri and Kansas elected to stop taxing Social Security benefits in 2024, as did Kansas shortly thereafter, leaving only nine states in the union that will still tax benefits in 2025. Find out whether your current state (or dream retirement state) will be taxing your Social Security benefits.

Does net worth include home?

Your net worth is what you own minus what you owe. It's the total value of all your assets—including your house, cars, investments and cash—minus your liabilities (things like credit card debt, student loans, and what you still owe on your mortgage).

Should a 70 year old get out of the stock market?

Market volatility can be scary, but keep in mind that, historically, stock markets have recovered from dips and gone on to see better returns in the long run. Instead of getting out of the stock market, most retirees use a “buy and hold” strategy to maximize long-term gains exactly for this reason.

What net worth is considered upper class?

Key Takeaways. The lower class has a median net worth of about $3,500, while the upper class has one of about $7.81 million. The middle class has a median net worth that ranges from $93,300 to $1.04 million.

At what age should I stop contributing to my 401k?

Most experts recommend contributing to your 401(k) for at least as long as you're working.

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.

What is considered wealthy in retirement?

Rich retirees: In the 90th percentile, with net worth starting at $1.9 million, this group has much more financial freedom and is able to afford luxuries and legacy planning.

What do most Americans have saved for retirement?

Americans in their 60s have the most saved for retirement with average balances close to $1.2 million. Average account balances more than double between those in their 20s vs their 30s. Those in their 80s still have an average balance of $826,250 for retirement.

How long will $1 million last in retirement by state?

If you retire in California, $1 million in savings will last 12 years, eight months, five days.