How To Spend Less Money In Retirement (2024)

More From Forbes

Why Skipping Probate Could Save Time And Money","scope":{"topStory":{"index":1,"title":"Why Skipping Probate Could Save Time And Money","image":"https://specials-images.forbesimg.com/imageserve/664bb6edb815f7c1529f78c7/290x0.jpg","isHappeningNowArticle":false,"date":{"monthDayYear":"May 20, 2024","hourMinute":"04:13","amPm":"pm","isEDT":true,"unformattedDate":1716236038246},"uri":"https://www.forbes.com/sites/christinefletcher/2024/05/20/why-skipping-probate-could-save-time-and-money/"}},"id":"4ie23d4mdeqc00"},{"textContent":"

IRA Heirs Can Delay RMDs Another Year, But Should They?","scope":{"topStory":{"index":2,"title":"IRA Heirs Can Delay RMDs Another Year, But Should They?","image":"https://specials-images.forbesimg.com/imageserve/6646663da36abc091e548136/290x0.jpg","isHappeningNowArticle":false,"date":{"monthDayYear":"May 20, 2024","hourMinute":"04:01","amPm":"pm","isEDT":true,"unformattedDate":1716235260000},"uri":"https://www.forbes.com/sites/bobcarlson/2024/05/20/ira-heirs-can-delay-rmds-another-year-but-should-they/"}},"id":"5a1393gq8e9k00"},{"textContent":"

9 Ways For Boomers And Gen-Xers To Test-Drive Their Retirement Plans","scope":{"topStory":{"index":3,"title":"9 Ways For Boomers And Gen-Xers To Test-Drive Their Retirement Plans","image":"https://specials-images.forbesimg.com/imageserve/66464ebf6fb7fe8daa4e3ed0/290x0.jpg","isHappeningNowArticle":false,"date":{"monthDayYear":"May 17, 2024","hourMinute":"08:30","amPm":"am","isEDT":true,"unformattedDate":1715949000000},"uri":"https://www.forbes.com/sites/josephcoughlin/2024/05/17/gen-x-boomers-9-ways-to-take-your-retirement-for-a-test-drive/"}},"id":"ednjq0jgcl0g00"},{"textContent":"

The Expense That’s Covertly Boosting Your Personal Inflation Rate","scope":{"topStory":{"index":4,"title":"The Expense That’s Covertly Boosting Your Personal Inflation Rate","image":"https://specials-images.forbesimg.com/imageserve/6646647487b825398a57ecb4/290x0.jpg","isHappeningNowArticle":false,"date":{"monthDayYear":"May 17, 2024","hourMinute":"07:15","amPm":"am","isEDT":true,"unformattedDate":1715944500000},"uri":"https://www.forbes.com/sites/bobcarlson/2024/05/17/the-expense-thats-covertly-boosting-your-personal-inflation-rate/"}},"id":"2mie2f3ebjgo00"},{"textContent":"

Beware When Choosing Assisted Living For An Aging Parent","scope":{"topStory":{"index":5,"title":"Beware When Choosing Assisted Living For An Aging Parent","image":"https://specials-images.forbesimg.com/imageserve/66468ff2b72862c4118762f1/290x0.jpg","isHappeningNowArticle":false,"date":{"monthDayYear":"May 16, 2024","hourMinute":"07:11","amPm":"pm","isEDT":true,"unformattedDate":1715901068367},"uri":"https://www.forbes.com/sites/carolynrosenblatt/2024/05/16/beware-when-choosing-assisted-living-for-an-aging-parent/"}},"id":"bpai1qgp57jc00"},{"textContent":"

Two Scams Targeting Seniors: Don’t Become A Victim","scope":{"topStory":{"index":6,"title":"Two Scams Targeting Seniors: Don’t Become A Victim","image":"https://specials-images.forbesimg.com/imageserve/664375f7926cc67c8e989ee2/290x0.jpg","isHappeningNowArticle":false,"date":{"monthDayYear":"May 14, 2024","hourMinute":"10:38","amPm":"am","isEDT":true,"unformattedDate":1715697517154},"uri":"https://www.forbes.com/sites/dianeomdahl/2024/05/14/two-scams-targeting-seniors-dont-become-a-victim/"}},"id":"nqjceimiq0bg0"},{"textContent":"

4 Lessons For Anyone From The FIRE Movement","scope":{"topStory":{"index":7,"title":"4 Lessons For Anyone From The FIRE Movement","image":"https://specials-images.forbesimg.com/imageserve/664254da9c03ae03e235f235/290x0.jpg","isHappeningNowArticle":false,"date":{"monthDayYear":"May 13, 2024","hourMinute":"02:13","amPm":"pm","isEDT":true,"unformattedDate":1715623988364},"uri":"https://www.forbes.com/sites/rogerwhitney/2024/05/13/4-lessons-for-anyone-from-the-fire-movement/"}},"id":"6aif52foei1c00"},{"textContent":"

A Report From The Last Frontier, Part III","scope":{"topStory":{"index":8,"title":"A Report From The Last Frontier, Part III","image":"https://specials-images.forbesimg.com/imageserve/66424c170f30fe42b691c3b1/290x0.jpg","isHappeningNowArticle":false,"date":{"monthDayYear":"May 13, 2024","hourMinute":"01:28","amPm":"pm","isEDT":true,"unformattedDate":1715621283695},"uri":"https://www.forbes.com/sites/dandoonan/2024/05/13/a-report-from-the-last-frontier-part-iii/"}},"id":"1ob41k45mlqk00"}],"breakpoints":[{"breakpoint":"@media all and (max-width: 767px)","config":{"enabled":false}},{"breakpoint":"@media all and (max-width: 768px)","config":{"inView":2,"slidesToScroll":1}},{"breakpoint":"@media all and (min-width: 1681px)","config":{"inView":6}}]};

How To Spend Less Money In Retirement (2024)

FAQs

What is the $1000 a month rule for retirement? ›

One example is the $1,000/month rule. Created by Wes Moss, a Certified Financial Planner, this strategy helps individuals visualize how much savings they should have in retirement. According to Moss, you should plan to have $240,000 saved for every $1,000 of disposable income in retirement.

What is the 3 rule in retirement? ›

The 3% rule in retirement says you can withdraw 3% of your retirement savings a year and avoid running out of money. Historically, retirement planners recommended withdrawing 4% per year (the 4% rule). However, 3% is now considered a better target due to inflation, lower portfolio yields, and longer lifespans.

What do you spend less on in retirement? ›

What Are Realistic Ways Retirees Can Spend Less? If there's a large gap between your regular retirement income and your regular spending in retirement, you'll need to look at the big spending targets that you might be able to reduce, such as housing, transportation, food and contributions.

How long will $400,000 last in retirement? ›

This money will need to last around 40 years to comfortably ensure that you won't outlive your savings. This means you can probably boost your total withdrawals (principal and yield) to around $20,000 per year. This will give you a pre-tax income of almost $36,000 per year.

Is $1500 a month enough to retire on? ›

In the recent GOBankingRates retirement survey, 56% of Americans said they plan to live on $1,500 a month or less in retirement (aside from housing costs). Yet for many, this is an unrealistically low amount, especially when you consider irregular expenses.

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.

What is the biggest expense in retirement? ›

Housing. Housing—which includes mortgage, rent, property tax, insurance, maintenance and repair costs—is the largest expense for retirees. More specifically, the average retiree household pays an average of $17,472 per year ($1,456 per month) on housing expenses, representing almost 35% of annual expenditures.

Do most people retire with enough money? ›

But most people are far from reaching that objective, with the study finding that the average amount held in a retirement account today is just $88,400. That means that the typical worker has a $1.37 million gap between their actual savings and their retirement aspirations.

How much does the average retired person live on per month? ›

Retirement Income Varies Widely By State
StateAverage Retirement Income
California$34,737
Colorado$32,379
Connecticut$32,052
Delaware$31,283
47 more rows
Oct 30, 2023

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

With $400,000 in your 401(k), how much can you expect to draw down from that portfolio? Will it be enough to last throughout retirement starting at age 62? The answer is, maybe. This money can generate a modest income that might be enough to pay your bills depending on your standard of living.

Can I retire on $500k plus Social Security? ›

If you have $500,000 in a pre-tax IRA and expect $2,000 per month from Social Security, you may have enough money to retire at age 67. A half million dollars is a relatively modest nest egg, but it can still generate a comfortable income depending on your standard of living.

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 years will $300 000 last in retirement? ›

If you have $300,000 and withdraw 4% per year, that number could last you roughly 25 years. Thats $12,000, which is not enough to live on its own unless you have additional income like Social Security and own your own place. Luckily, that $300,000 can go up if you invest it.

How much do I need in a 401k to get $2000 a month? ›

With the $1,000 per month rule, if you plan to withdraw 5% of your savings each year, you'll need at least $240,000 in savings. If you aim to take out $2,000 every month at a withdrawal rate of 5%, you'll need to set aside $480,000. For $3,000, you would aim to save $720,000.

Can I live on $2000 a month in retirement? ›

This takes discipline but ultimately will allow you to have more freedom and happiness in your golden years without money worries. “Retiring on $2,000 per month is very possible,” said Gary Knode, president at Safe Harbor Financial. “In my practice, I've seen it work.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Cheryll Lueilwitz

Last Updated:

Views: 6109

Rating: 4.3 / 5 (54 voted)

Reviews: 93% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Cheryll Lueilwitz

Birthday: 1997-12-23

Address: 4653 O'Kon Hill, Lake Juanstad, AR 65469

Phone: +494124489301

Job: Marketing Representative

Hobby: Reading, Ice skating, Foraging, BASE jumping, Hiking, Skateboarding, Kayaking

Introduction: My name is Cheryll Lueilwitz, I am a sparkling, clean, super, lucky, joyous, outstanding, lucky person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.