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Who doesn’t want to retire early? If you have $1 million stashed away by age 55, you may feel like you have enough to leave the rat race and ride out your golden years. Unfortunately, it may not be enough.

It all depends on your lifestyle and location. For some professionals, asking if $1 million is enough to retire on may be downright naive. As people live longer and prices continue to rise, many of us can end up needing much more.

If sitting on a cool million at 55 makes you feel like you’re ahead of the game, it’s probably a good idea to slow your roll and take some key factors into consideration.

How Far $1 Million in Retirement Will Realistically Take You

One million dollars sounds like a lot of money: surely enough to last the rest of your life, right? But how far will $1 million really take you in retirement? There’s no single answer that applies to everyone. The nest egg that an individual will need hinges on the following variables:

•   Where you’ll live when you retire

•   The lifestyle you want to lead

•   Whether you have dependents

•   Healthcare costs

•   Other retirement income

•   Investment risk

•   Inflation

Considered another way, the answer comes down to your withdrawal rate — how much money you regularly withdraw from your accounts to live on — and how long you end up living. A conservative withdrawal rate, for example, is 3%. So, if you’re eating up 3% of your savings per year (with inflation on top of that), you’ll want to make sure you have enough to last for a few decades. Tools like a money tracker can help you monitor your spending.

This is complicated stuff, and it may be best to consult a financial professional to help you plan it all out. At the very least, run some numbers yourself to figure out, “Am I on track for retirement?”

Recommended: Average Retirement Savings by State

Why You Need to Figure on Needing a Lot More if You Retire Early

Financial experts often say that you’ll need around 80% of your pre-retirement annual income for each year of retirement. That means that if your pre-retirement annual income is $80,000, you should plan on saving around $64,000 per year of retirement.

In that scenario, if you hope to retire at 55, you would need almost $2 million. That amount would last you for around 30 years, until you are 85. As you may have noticed, this is considerably more than $1 million.

Even then, you have to think about what happens if you live until you’re 95, or even 105. That’s 50 years of retirement — and $1 million is probably not going to last half a century. If you’re planning on retiring early, it seems, you will need a lot more than $1 million.

How Much You Should Ideally Save for Retirement

Again, the amount you should ideally save for retirement will depend on the kind of lifestyle you want to have during your retirement years. Because there are so many unknowns and variables to consider, many people simply aim to save as much as they can.

To get to a ballpark figure, though, ask yourself the following questions when crunching the numbers:

•   At what age would you like to retire?

•   What kind of lifestyle do you want to have?

•   Will you work part-time? If so, what kind of work will you do, and what is the average pay for that type of work?

•   Will you have passive income (such as rental income from a real estate property)?

•   What other sources of income will you have (Social Security, etc.)?

•   Where will you live when you retire, and what is the cost of living in that location?

•   How big of a safety net do you want for unforeseen circumstances?

Once you’ve thought about how you want to live your retirement, you can plan for that scenario. Create the budget you would like to have, then calculate the cost per year and the number of years you plan on being retired.

While we don’t know how long we will live, expecting a longer lifespan is a smart way to plan for retirement. You don’t want to outlive your savings and be too old to go back to work.

So, how much you should ideally save for retirement will vary in a big way from person to person. Perhaps the simplest answer is to save as much as you can.

Factors to Consider When Saving for Retirement

In addition to your cost of living after retirement, you should factor in inflation. Adjust your yearly cost of retirement with an inflation calculator to learn the change in value of your saved money over time. For perspective: Inflation, historically, has averaged just over 3%.

Happily, the stock market has grown faster than the inflation rate over time. So you can do some stock portfolio tracking to see whether your investments may help you stay ahead of inflation.

And another thing: Life expectancy is higher than it used to be. Americans are living, on average, until 77.5 years of age. With that in mind, plan for a longer lifespan. That way you won’t feel as though you’re running out of money later in retirement.

Recommended: Typical Retirement Expenses to Prepare For

How to Determine the Right Amount to Retire For You

If you want to keep your current cost of living and lifestyle, take your current salary and multiply it by the number of years you are planning on living off your retirement and multiply it by around 80%. Then, adjust it for inflation using an online calculator. Finally, add a cash cushion for unforeseen events.

It’s a bit of math, but this should give you a ballpark idea of your needs. You can always use a budget planner app or retirement calculator, too, of which there are many.

The Takeaway

Long story short: It is possible to retire with $1 million at 55. However, $1 million may not be enough for most people. You’ll need to create a customized financial plan based on your lifestyle goals if you want to try, though — there is no magic formula or a one-size-fits-all plan to do it. Identify what matters to you and then plan your retirement based on your ideal type of retirement.

Take control of your finances with SoFi. With our financial insights and credit score monitoring tools, you can view all of your accounts in one convenient dashboard. From there, you can see your various balances, spending breakdowns, and credit score. Plus you can easily set up budgets and discover valuable financial insights — all at no cost.

See exactly how your money comes and goes at a glance.

FAQ

How much money do I need to retire at 55?

The amount of money you will need to retire at 55 will depend on the kind of lifestyle you want to lead during retirement. If you’re planning on living off of $60,000 per year, and are hoping to live for another 30 or so years, you will need almost $2 million.

Can you live on $1 million in retirement?

One million dollars is not going to be enough for most people in the U.S. to retire on. Whether $1 million is enough will largely depend on the kind of lifestyle you want. If you are planning on receiving a pension and/or Social Security, that will significantly help to stretch your savings.

Can I retire with $1 million in my 401(k)?

Depending on your lifestyle, $1 million in your 401(k) may not be enough. When combined with other savings and investments, it can be. But it’s probably best to consult with a financial planner who can help you determine how to best use your 401(k) savings.

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Photo credit: iStock/LaylaBird

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Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

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Should I save or pay off debt? It’s a tough financial choice. Prioritizing debt repayment can help you pay off what you owe faster, freeing up more money in your budget for saving. It can also help you spend less on interest charges. But that approach can also backfire. If you delay saving and get hit with an unplanned expense, you can end up with even more high-interest debt.

Whether it makes sense to pay off debt or save depends largely on the specifics of your financial situation. The right decision might actually be to try to do both.

When You Should Consider Paying Down Debt First

In certain situations, it makes sense to prioritize paying off debt over putting money into savings. This could be the best path forward if:

•   You have high-interest debts. High-interest debt, such as credit card debt, can quickly accumulate and become overwhelming. The longer it takes to pay off, the more interest you’ll accrue, making it harder to escape the debt cycle.

•   Your debt is causing you significant stress or anxiety. If having debt hanging over you keeps you up at night and you want to clear your balances as quickly as possible, putting debt repayment ahead of saving might make sense, provided you have at least some money in the bank for emergencies.

•   A large portion of your income is going toward monthly debt payments. Having a high debt-to-income ratio (DTI) not only limits your financial flexibility, but can also negatively impact your credit score. A lower score could make it hard to secure loans at low interest rates or even rent an apartment in the future.

Strategies to Pay Down Debt

Once you commit to paying down your debt, you’ll want to come up with a plan for how to do it. Here are some strategies to consider.

•   Avalanche method: With this approach, you list your debts in order of interest rate. You then funnel any extra money toward the balance with the highest rate, while paying the minimums on the other debts. Once the highest-interest debt is paid off, you move to the next highest, and so on. This strategy minimizes the amount of interest you pay over time.

•   Snowball method: With the snowball method, you list your debts in order of size, ignoring the interest rate. You then funnel extra money towards the smallest debt, while paying the minimum on the rest. When the smallest balance is paid off, you move on the next-smallest debt, and so on. This can provide psychological benefits by giving you quick wins and motivating you to continue.

•   Debt consolidation loan: A debt consolidation loan is a type of unsecured personal loan with fixed interest rates and repayment terms. If you have multiple debts, consolidating them into a single loan with a lower interest rate can simplify payments and reduce the total interest paid.

•   Balance transfer: For credit card debt, a balance transfer to a card with a low or 0% introductory rate can help you save money on interest and pay off your debt faster. Just be sure that you’ll be able to pay off the balance before the promotional rate ends. If not, you could end up paying more in interest than you are now. Also be aware of transfer fees.

•   Automate your debt payments: Setting up automatic payments ensures you never miss a payment, which helps avoid late fees and keeps you on track with your debt repayment plan.

When You Should Consider Saving First

Aggressively paying off debt isn’t always the best first choice, however. You may want to prioritize saving money over paying down debt if:

•   You have little to no emergency savings. Without a cushion of savings in the bank, an unplanned expense or loss of income could result in racking up even more debt, putting you further in the hole.

•   You have low-interest debts. If you have debts with relatively low annual percentage rates (APRs) and don’t feel unduly burdened by them, it’s fine to focus on saving, while paying off your loans according to schedule.

•   Your employer offers a 401(k) match. If your employer offers a retirement savings plan along with a company match, it’s a good idea to try to contribute at least enough to get the maximum employer match. This is essentially free money you could be missing out on.

Recommended: 10 Ways to Save Money Fast

Determining How Much to Save

How much you should be saving will depend on your age and situation, but here are some general guidelines to keep in mind.

•   Emergency fund: Experts recommend building an emergency fund of three to six months’ worth of expenses and stashing it in a high-yield savings account. If you’re self-employed or work seasonally, you may want to aim closer to eight or even 12 months’ worth of expenses.

•   Retirement savings: If your employer offers a 401(k) match, you’ll want to contribute at least enough to get the full match, then build from there. One rule of thumb is to work up to saving at least 15% of your pretax income each year, including employer contributions.

•   Other savings goals: For other savings goals, such as a vacation, large purchase, or down payment for a house, you’ll want to set a timeline and break down the total amount into manageable monthly savings targets. For savings goals that are five-plus years away, like paying for a child’s education, consider contributing to investment accounts that can potentially yield higher returns over time.

Recommended: How to Set and Reach Your Savings Goals

Tips on Balancing Paying Debt and Saving

If you have high-interest debt under control and already have some cash in the bank to cover a minor emergency (like a car or home repair), consider saving and paying down debt at the same time. Here are some tips to help you manage both.

•   Create a budget: A basic budget can help you track your income, expenses, and savings. The key is to allocate specific amounts for debt repayment and savings to ensure both are addressed every month.

•   Automate saving: Once you have target monthly savings amounts, it’s a good idea to set up automatic transfers to your savings accounts. This ensures consistent saving without the temptation to spend the money.

•   Increase income: You might want to explore ways to boost your income, such as taking on a side gig, freelancing, or asking for a raise. You can then use the additional income to pay down debt faster and/or boost your savings.

•   Cut unnecessary expenses: Review your expenses and identify areas where you can cut back. Redirect these funds toward debt repayment and saving.

•   Use windfalls wisely: If you receive a bonus, tax refund, or any unexpected sum of money, consider using it to pay down debt or boost your savings rather than going on a shopping spree.

The Takeaway

Saving and paying down debt is a balancing act. Which is more important? There’s no one-size-fits all answer. Generally speaking, you’ll want to fund your emergency savings account and take advantage of an employer match on retirement savings before you aggressively focus on debt payoff. After that, you can focus on saving and knocking down debt at the same time.

Interested in opening an online bank account? When you sign up for a SoFi Checking and Savings account with direct deposit, you’ll get a competitive annual percentage yield (APY), pay zero account fees, and enjoy an array of rewards, such as access to the Allpoint Network of 55,000+ fee-free ATMs globally. Qualifying accounts can even access their paycheck up to two days early.

Better banking is here with SoFi, NerdWallet’s 2024 winner for Best Checking Account Overall.* Enjoy up to 4.30% APY on SoFi Checking and Savings.

FAQ

Is it better to pay off debt or have money saved?

You may want to prioritize saving over debt payoff if you don’t have an emergency fund, aren’t taking advantage of an employer’s 401(k) match, and/or have low-interest debts. If, on the other hand, you have a solid emergency savings fund, high-interest debts (like credit card debt), and no employer retirement match, you may be better off focusing your efforts on paying down debt over saving.

How much money should I save before paying down debt?

Before aggressively paying down debt, it’s a good idea to save three to six months’ worth of living expenses in an emergency fund in a high-yield savings account. If you don’t have any savings to draw on to cover an unexpected expense or event, you may have to rely on high-interest credit cards to get by, which would compound your debt.

What bills should I pay down first?

You generally want to prioritize paying down high-interest debt first, such as credit card balances and payday loans, as they accrue interest rapidly. Next, focus on any other unsecured debts, like personal loans, followed by secured debts (like car loans and mortgages), which tend to have lower interest rates.

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SoFi members with direct deposit activity can earn 4.30% annual percentage yield (APY) on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. Direct Deposit means a recurring deposit of regular income to an account holder’s SoFi Checking or Savings account, including payroll, pension, or government benefit payments (e.g., Social Security), made by the account holder’s employer, payroll or benefits provider or government agency (“Direct Deposit”) via the Automated Clearing House (“ACH”) Network during a 30-day Evaluation Period (as defined below). Deposits that are not from an employer or government agency, including but not limited to check deposits, peer-to-peer transfers (e.g., transfers from PayPal, Venmo, etc.), merchant transactions (e.g., transactions from PayPal, Stripe, Square, etc.), and bank ACH funds transfers and wire transfers from external accounts, or are non-recurring in nature (e.g., IRS tax refunds), do not constitute Direct Deposit activity. There is no minimum Direct Deposit amount required to qualify for the stated interest rate. SoFi members with direct deposit are eligible for other SoFi Plus benefits.

As an alternative to direct deposit, SoFi members with Qualifying Deposits can earn 4.30% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. Qualifying Deposits means one or more deposits that, in the aggregate, are equal to or greater than $5,000 to an account holder’s SoFi Checking and Savings account (“Qualifying Deposits”) during a 30-day Evaluation Period (as defined below). Qualifying Deposits only include those deposits from the following eligible sources: (i) ACH transfers, (ii) inbound wire transfers, (iii) peer-to-peer transfers (i.e., external transfers from PayPal, Venmo, etc. and internal peer-to-peer transfers from a SoFi account belonging to another account holder), (iv) check deposits, (v) instant funding to your SoFi Bank Debit Card, (vi) push payments to your SoFi Bank Debit Card, and (vii) cash deposits. Qualifying Deposits do not include: (i) transfers between an account holder’s Checking account, Savings account, and/or Vaults; (ii) interest payments; (iii) bonuses issued by SoFi Bank or its affiliates; or (iv) credits, reversals, and refunds from SoFi Bank, N.A. (“SoFi Bank”) or from a merchant. SoFi members with Qualifying Deposits are not eligible for other SoFi Plus benefits.

SoFi Bank shall, in its sole discretion, assess each account holder’s Direct Deposit activity and Qualifying Deposits throughout each 30-Day Evaluation Period to determine the applicability of rates and may request additional documentation for verification of eligibility. The 30-Day Evaluation Period refers to the “Start Date” and “End Date” set forth on the APY Details page of your account, which comprises a period of 30 calendar days (the “30-Day Evaluation Period”). You can access the APY Details page at any time by logging into your SoFi account on the SoFi mobile app or SoFi website and selecting either (i) Banking > Savings > Current APY or (ii) Banking > Checking > Current APY. Upon receiving a Direct Deposit or $5,000 in Qualifying Deposits to your account, you will begin earning 4.30% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% on checking balances on or before the following calendar day. You will continue to earn these APYs for (i) the remainder of the current 30-Day Evaluation Period and through the end of the subsequent 30-Day Evaluation Period and (ii) any following 30-day Evaluation Periods during which SoFi Bank determines you to have Direct Deposit activity or $5,000 in Qualifying Deposits without interruption.

SoFi Bank reserves the right to grant a grace period to account holders following a change in Direct Deposit activity or Qualifying Deposits activity before adjusting rates. If SoFi Bank grants you a grace period, the dates for such grace period will be reflected on the APY Details page of your account. If SoFi Bank determines that you did not have Direct Deposit activity or $5,000 in Qualifying Deposits during the current 30-day Evaluation Period and, if applicable, the grace period, then you will begin earning the rates earned by account holders without either Direct Deposit or Qualifying Deposits until you have Direct Deposit activity or $5,000 in Qualifying Deposits in a subsequent 30-Day Evaluation Period. For the avoidance of doubt, an account holder with both Direct Deposit activity and Qualifying Deposits will earn the rates earned by account holders with Direct Deposit.

Members without either Direct Deposit activity or Qualifying Deposits, as determined by SoFi Bank, during a 30-Day Evaluation Period and, if applicable, the grace period, will earn 1.20% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances.

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Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

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