How to retire with $2 million if you make $100,000 per year (2024)

It's a good idea to begin saving a small percentage of your salary as soon as possible. It's a simple way to ensure you're prepared for retirement.

As a rule of thumb, most financial advisors suggest you save 10% to 15% of your earnings.

Here's a case study assuming you start with no savings, plan to retire at 65 and have investments that earn 6% annually.

If you want to retire with $2 million, you'll need to invest about 12% of a salary of $100,000 starting in your 20s. Waiting until you're older will require a larger portion of your pay. If you wait until your 30s, then that number is closer to 17% of your salary. In your 40s, the percentage of your salary you'll need to save jumps to 35%. This does not account for variables such as a possible pay increase or decrease, employer match, inflation or any other of life's curveballs.

Watch this video to find out how much money you will need to invest to save $2 million for retirement, broken down by age.

How to retire with $2 million if you make $100,000 per year (2024)

FAQs

How to retire with $2 million if you make $100,000 per year? ›

If you want to retire with $2 million, you'll need to invest about 12% of a salary of $100,000 starting in your 20s. Waiting until you're older will require a larger portion of your pay. If you wait until your 30s, then that number is closer to 17% of your salary.

How much money do you need to retire with $100,000 a year income? ›

So, if you're aiming for $100,000 a year in retirement and also receiving Social Security checks, you'd need to have this amount in your portfolio: age 62: $2.1 million. age 67: $1.9 million. age 70: $1.8 million.

How much monthly income will $2 million generate? ›

For example, you can calculate an $80,000 return for your $2 million retirement fund. As a result, your income at 55 will be $6,666 per month. Then, you'll increase this amount by 3% this year to combat inflation. Plus, you'll start collecting Social Security at 65 and estimate a $2,500 monthly benefit.

Can you live off the interest of 2 million dollars? ›

Can you live off of $2 million in assets? The answer is yes, if you manage your investment portfolio smartly. One common option is to invest $2 million in an index fund. But you will still need to make absolutely sure that you have a rainy day fund since the market can be reliable over decades but fickle over years.

How long will $2000000 last in retirement? ›

You retire at 40 – With an estimated life expectancy of 90, you need 50 years of income. Across those years, $2 million could equate to approximately $40,000 annually or $3,333 monthly. This should be enough to cover you, but things may be tight if your outgoings are high as a retiree.

What percentage of retirees have $3 million dollars? ›

Specifically, those with over $1 million in retirement accounts are in the top 3% of retirees. The Employee Benefit Research Institute (EBRI) estimates that 3.2% of retirees have over $1 million, and a mere 0.1% have $5 million or more, based on data from the Federal Reserve Survey of Consumer Finances.

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

Average and median 401(k) balances by age
Age rangeAverage balanceMedian balance
35-44$76,354$28,318
45-54$142,069$48,301
55-64$207,874$71,168
65+$232,710$70,620
2 more rows
Mar 13, 2024

Is 2 million dollars considered wealthy? ›

According to Schwab's 2022 Modern Wealth Survey, the average American thinks being rich means having a net worth of $2.2 million. However, wealth has no universal definition. Just as beauty is in the eye of the beholder, being rich depends on your personal definition and circ*mstances.

Is $2 million in 401k enough to retire? ›

Bottom Line. Retiring at 65 seems like a typical target, but it takes careful planning and a sufficient nest egg to pull off. If you accrue $2 million during your career, you can pay yourself $80,000 annually without touching your principal, which translates to a healthy monthly budget.

Can you live your whole life with $2 million dollars? ›

If we take this number as your pre-retirement expenses, then 80% would be $53,600. Assuming that's how much you'd spend in retirement, you could live for about 37 years on $53,600 per year with a nest egg of $2 million (assuming that $2 million is earning 0% and not factoring in Social Security).

How much interest does $2 million make a year? ›

Well invested money can earn between 5–10% per year based on market conditions. Some investments earn more or less, but basically you could earn $100,000-$200,000 per year in growth on $2mil. putting it in the bank earns you almost nothing. Other options include investing in real estate…

What percentage of retirees have a million dollars? ›

If you have more than $1 million saved in retirement accounts, you are in the top 3% of retirees. According to EBRI estimates based on the latest Federal Reserve Survey of Consumer Finances, 3.2% of retirees have over $1 million in their retirement accounts, while just 0.1% have $5 million or more.

Can I retire at 55 with $2 million? ›

The Bottom Line. At age 55 with $2 million in the bank, you are well positioned to retire early. Just make sure that you anticipate the complicated issues around early retirement, including long-term inflation hedges and health insurance.

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 long can I retire on $500k plus social security? ›

How Long Will $500,000 Last in Retirement by State
StateDurationAnnual Expenditure
Alaska8 years, 3 months, and 7 days$60,472.91
Arizona10 years, 2 months, and 6 days$49,101.53
Arkansas11 years, 6 months, and 23 days$43,249.31
California​​7 years, 4 months, and 22 days$67,657.34
45 more rows

How much net worth do you need to retire at 60? ›

With careful planning, $2.5 million can fund a comfortable retirement starting at age 60. But as with any major life transition, retirees must weigh a complex set of variables from taxes to healthcare to ensure their nest egg lasts decades.

How much income will 500k generate in retirement? ›

Most people in the U.S. retire with less than $1 million. $500,000 is a healthy nest egg to supplement Social Security and other income sources. Assuming a 4% withdrawal rate, $500,000 could provide $20,000/year of inflation-adjusted income. The 4% “rule” is oversimplified, and you will likely spend differently.

How much Social Security will I get if I make $100,000 a year? ›

If your pay at retirement will be $100,000, your benefits will start at $2,026 each month, which equals $24,315 per year. And if your pay at retirement will be $125,000, your monthly benefits at the outset will be $2,407 for $28,889 yearly.

How much should a 72 year old retire with? ›

How Much Should a 70-Year-Old Have in Savings? Financial experts generally recommend saving anywhere from $1 million to $2 million for retirement. If you consider an average retirement savings of $426,000 for those in the 65 to 74-year-old range, the numbers obviously don't match up.

How long can you retire on $300,000? ›

Let's say your annual retirement spending is $20,000, equivalent to $1,666 monthly. In this scenario, $300,000 can last for roughly 26 years. The length of time that you can make $300,000 last as a retiree is best determined by looking at your intended retirement lifestyle and likely monthly and annual outgoings.

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