What is the best age to retire?

The "best" age to retire is a highly personal decision based on a blend of financial readiness, health, and personal goals, not a universal magic number.

Is it better to retire at 62 or 65?

Retiring at 62 means earlier, but reduced, Social Security benefits; retiring at 65 (or Full Retirement Age - FRA) offers significantly higher monthly payments and Medicare access, but you'll wait longer for checks; the "better" choice hinges on your health, savings, life expectancy, and spouse's income, with 62 good for immediate needs or poor health, while 65+ benefits long-term security for healthier individuals, often with a break-even point around 80, notes. 

What is the happiest retirement age?

According to the 2024 MassMutual Retirement Happiness Study (PDF), Americans overwhelmingly view 63 as the ideal retirement age, even though the average American actually retires at 62.

Is $500,000 enough to retire at age 65?

Yes, retiring comfortably with $500,000 is achievable. This amount can support an annual withdrawal of up to $34,000, covering a 25-year period from age 60 to 85. If your lifestyle can be maintained at $30,000 per year or about $2,500 per month, then $500,000 should be sufficient for a secure retirement.

Can I live off $5000 a month in retirement?

It really depends on your current income. If you're earning $60k/year working, then $5k/month will be a nice retirement income. On the other hand, if you make $150k/year working then it won't be enough.

750 Retirees Give Harsh Advice To Anyone Working Past 60

How much social security will I get if I make $60,000 a year?

If you consistently earn around $60,000 annually over your career, you can expect a monthly Social Security benefit of roughly $2,100 to $2,300 at your full retirement age (FRA), but the exact amount varies by your birth year and claiming age; for instance, at FRA, it's around $2,311 based on 2025 bend points, while claiming at 62 yields less and claiming at 70 yields more, with an official estimate available on the Social Security Administration (SSA) website. 

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

For a 65-year-old, the average 401(k) balance is around $299,000, but the more representative median balance is significantly lower, at about $95,000, indicating many high savers pull the average up, with balances varying greatly by individual savings habits, income, and other retirement accounts. 

Can you live off the interest of $500,000?

"You can live off $500,000 in the bank and do nothing else to make money, because you can make off that about 5% in fixed income with very little risk. Or you can make 8.5 to 9% in equities too, if you're willing to ride the volatility."

What does Suze Orman say about taking social security at 62?

Orman explained that you can start Social Security as soon as 62, but that you shouldn't. She said: "Don't settle for a reduced Social Security benefit. If you are in good health, the best financial move you can make is to not claim Social Security before you reach your full retirement age."

Do you live longer if you retire early?

Whether early retirement increases longevity is debated, with conflicting studies: some suggest working longer offers health benefits (less stress, more activity), while others show early retirees can live longer by improving health, reducing stress, or pursuing new purpose, with the activity in retirement being key, not just the age. The impact depends heavily on why you retire and how you spend your time, with burnout leading to worse outcomes and active, purposeful retirement leading to better ones.
 

What are the biggest retirement mistakes?

The biggest retirement mistakes involve poor planning (starting late, underestimating costs like healthcare/inflation, not having a budget) and bad financial decisions (claiming Social Security too early, taking big investment risks or being too conservative, cashing out accounts, having too much debt). Many also neglect the non-financial aspects, like adjusting lifestyle or planning for longevity, leading to running out of money or feeling unfulfilled. 

What is a good monthly retirement income?

A good monthly retirement income is often cited as 70% to 80% of your pre-retirement income, but it varies greatly by lifestyle, location, and expenses, with many needing $4,000 to $8,000+ monthly, depending on if they seek a modest, comfortable, or affluent retirement, while accounting for inflation and unique costs like healthcare. 

What is the smartest age to retire?

There's no single "smartest" age, but 65-67 is a common sweet spot for maximizing benefits (full Social Security, Medicare eligibility), while many Americans think 63 is ideal but often retire around 62-64 due to health or finances. The truly best age depends on your financial security, health, lifestyle goals, and desire to work, with some experts suggesting delaying Social Security to 70 for maximum payout, making late 60s a financially optimal time to retire, even if you start earlier. 

Does Dave Ramsey recommend taking Social Security at 62?

Ramsey says it's fine to collect benefits as early as age 62 — something most financial experts advise against — if you take your checks and invest them.

How many people have $500,000 in their retirement account?

While exact numbers vary by source and year, recent data suggests around 7-9% of American households have $500,000 or more in retirement savings, though many more have significant savings in the $100k-$500k range, with a large portion of the population having much less, highlighting a big gap between the average (which is higher due to wealthy individuals) and the median (typical) saver. 

How much money do most people retire with?

Most people retire with significantly less than the popular $1 million goal, with the median savings for those 65-74 being around $200,000, while averages are higher ($609,000) due to large balances held by a few, and many aiming for 10-13 times their final salary by retirement age, though often falling short. The actual amount needed varies greatly based on desired lifestyle, but general benchmarks suggest aiming for 8-10x your income by retirement. 

How much income will a $500,000 annuity generate?

A $500,000 annuity can generate roughly $2,600 to over $4,000 per month, depending heavily on your age (older means more income), gender, chosen payout option (e.g., lifetime only vs. with a certain period), and current interest rates, with payouts at age 65 often landing around $3,100-$3,300 monthly for a single life. For example, a 65-year-old might get about $41,000/year, while a 70-year-old could see over $42,500/year. 

Can you put a million dollars in the bank and live off the interest?

In fact, with careful planning and a solid investment strategy, you could possibly live off the returns from a $1 million nest egg. When figuring out how much you'll need for retirement, be sure to factor in cost of living and inflation, withdrawal taxes, health care expenses, and lifestyle preferences.

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

Only a small fraction of Americans, roughly 2.5% to 4.7%, have $1 million or more in retirement savings, with the percentage rising slightly to around 3.2% among actual retirees, according to recent Federal Reserve data analyses. A higher percentage, about 9.2%, of those nearing retirement (ages 55-64) have reached this milestone, though the majority of households have significantly less saved. 

Does your 401k balance double every 7 years?

One of those tools is known as the Rule 72. For example, let's say you have saved $50,000 and your 401(k) holdings historically has a rate of return of 8%. 72 divided by 8 equals 9 years until your investment is estimated to double to $100,000.

What is a good retirement nest egg?

The amount you should have saved for retirement based on your age: Between 18 and 25, 0.3 times your current salary. Between 26 and 30, 1.0 times your current salary. Between 31 and 35, 1.7 times your current salary. Between 36 and 40, 2.5 times your current salary.

Should I pay off my mortgage before I retire?

“If your mortgage rate is around 3 percent, it might not make sense to pay it off early.” But, he adds, “if you have a newer mortgage with a rate closer to 6 or 7 percent, putting extra money toward your mortgage can be a smart move, since it's harder to find low-risk investments that pay that much.”

How much super do I need to retire on $80,000 per year?

The short answer: to retire on $80,000 a year in Australia, you'll need a super balance of roughly between $700,000 and $1.4 million. It's a broad range, and that's because everyone's circumstances are different.