What is the happiest age to retire?

Asked by: Clementine Jacobs  |  Last update: February 10, 2025
Score: 4.5/5 (62 votes)

On average, 63 is the ideal age for retirement according to both retirees and pre-retirees. While current retirees are hitting close to that mark with an average actual retirement age of 62, there are signs that future retirees could have more difficulty retiring at their ideal age.

What is the smartest age to retire?

Retiring in your mid-60s still makes sense for many people. At this point, you are old enough to have hopefully amassed sizable savings, but you are still young enough to enjoy active pursuits such as travel.

What is the healthiest age to retire?

You're Likely to Live Longer If You Retire After 65. Working an extra year decreases mortality rates by 11%, a new analysis shows.

Is it better to retire at 55 or 65?

If you were to retire at 65 and live to age 90, your money would need to last 25 years. But if you're retiring at age 55 instead, your savings now needs to be able to stretch for 35 years. And that assumes you stay healthy and don't require long-term care at some point, which could significantly drain your assets.

What is a nice age to retire?

Most people retire when they're about 65 years old. But there's a big trend towards working later. The number of people working into their 70s has risen by more than 60% in the last decade.

Your aging attitude and tips for a happier retirement life

36 related questions found

What is the most popular retirement age?

Right now, the average age for men to retire is 65 while the average age for women to retire is 63. While many people say they will work for as long as they can, others retire earlier than expected.

How long will $500,000 last in retirement?

$500k will last for over 30 years, if you withdraw $20,000 from the age of 60. Retiring on $500K is possible if an annual withdrawal of $20,000–$30,000 aligns with your lifestyle needs over 25 years. Retirement plans, annuities and Social Security benefits should all be considered when planning your future finances.

Do you live longer if you retire early?

Conclusions. We did not find an association between early retirement, compared with continued work participation, and mortality. On-time retirement, compared with working beyond retirement, was associated with a higher risk of mortality.

What is the average 401k balance at age 65?

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. However, the average tells only half of the story.

At what age do you get 100% of your Social Security?

For anyone born 1960 or later, full retirement benefits are payable at age 67.

What is the prime age to retire?

Age 66 – Full Social Security retirement age begins for most Baby Boomers. Age 67 – Full retirement age for Social Security benefits if born in 1960 or later. Age 70 – To increase monthly benefits delay claiming Social Security payments until 70. Age 72 – Minimum distributions from 401(k) plans and IRAs are required.

How long do most people live after retirement?

If you've made it to retirement, or 65 years old, you're likely to live past 77—all the way to 84 for men and 86 for women. And fifty percent of people will live longer than that.

What is the best month to retire?

While those scenarios may lead to a person pushing retirement to later in the year, on the flip side, many choose to retire in January if they will be withdrawing money out of retirement accounts. This is especially true if this retirement revenue stream will be considered taxable income.

What is the #1 reason to take Social Security at 62?

Those facing financial emergencies, such as a layoff or debt, may benefit from accessing Social Security early. If you retire early and need extra income, Social Security benefits can provide supplemental funds to support your new lifestyle, hobbies or retirement activities.

At what age do most US citizens retire?

The median retirement age in the U.S. is 62, with nearly six in 10 retirees telling the research firm that they stepped back from the workforce earlier than they had planned. Almost half of those people said the reason came down to health issues, such as physical limitations or disability.

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 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 10x retirement rule?

As a general rule of thumb, financial experts recommend having 10x your salary saved to live comfortably in retirement. Find Out: Avoid This Retirement Savings Mistake That's Costing Americans Up to $300K.

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.

What is the best age for a woman to retire?

Age 66: Retiring

There has been a bigger increase in average retirement age for women (from 61 years in 2011, to 66 years in 2021) than for men (from 65 in 2011 to 66 in 2021).

What percent of the US population dies before age 80?

According to 2015 age-specific mortality rates, almost 60 percent of the 2015 birth cohort will live past 80, while more than 20 percent will die before 70.

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.

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.

Can I retire on $500k plus Social Security at 62?

The short answer is yes, $500,000 is enough for many retirees. The question is how that will work out for you. With an income source like Social Security, modes spending, and a bit of good luck, this is feasible. And when two people in your household get Social Security or pension income, it's even easier.