Key Points
In most contexts, $750,000 is a lot of money. It could pay off most mortgages or vastly improve your quality of life. But when you’re talking about retirement, that same sum can seem inadequate, especially if you expect your retirement to last 30 years or more.
If that’s all you have in savings, you might feel more worried about how you’ll cover your bills over the next few decades than pleased with your own accomplishment. But retiring comfortably on $750,000 could be possible. A lot of it depends on what you expect your retirement to look like.
Where to invest $1,000 right now? Our analyst team just revealed what they believe are the 10 best stocks to buy right now, when you join Stock Advisor. See the stocks »
Image source: Getty Images.
What a retirement on $750,000 could look like
Everyone chooses to approach retirement withdrawals differently, but one common strategy is to withdraw 4% of your savings in the first year of retirement, and then adjust this amount annually for inflation afterward. If we apply this rule to a $750,000 nest egg, that would give you about $30,000 to spend in your first year of retirement.
That’s not much, but it’s also not likely to be all you have to rely upon in retirement. Most people will qualify for Social Security benefits. The average retirement benefit is $2,084 per month as of June 2026. A benefit like this would give you an additional $25,000, leaving you with about $55,000 to spend annually. A couple where each person claims an average Social Security benefit might wind up with close to $80,000 in annual retirement income.
You could have even more if you work in retirement. Many seniors take part-time jobs, either because they cannot afford to retire completely or because they prefer to stay busy after leaving their 9-to-5. This could add thousands more dollars to your retirement income.
But how far that money goes depends on your lifestyle, where you live, and when you plan to retire. An $80,000 annual retirement income might seem comfortable today, but it might not be three decades from now. And if you live in an expensive area, that might still not be enough, even though it could buy you a comfortable retirement in a more affordable town.
What to do if you’re worried $750,000 won’t be enough for you
If you’re worried your $750,000 might not be enough to cover all your retirement costs, there are changes you can make to your retirement income strategies that might help. If you’re still working, you may want to delay your retirement to give yourself more time to save. This also reduces your retirement costs.
You could also try downsizing your home if you can find a more affordable option, or cutting back on discretionary purchases. And in a pinch, you may be able to qualify for other government benefits to supplement your Social Security checks.
You may be able to stretch that $750,000 far enough, especially if you don’t expect your retirement to last long. But if you think you might come up short, it’s better to put off your retirement a little while if you can.
The $23,760 Social Security bonus most retirees completely overlook
If you’re like most Americans, you’re a few years (or more) behind on your retirement savings. But a handful of little-known “Social Security secrets” could help ensure a boost in your retirement income.
One easy trick could pay you as much as $23,760 more… each year! Once you learn how to maximize your Social Security benefits, we think you could retire confidently with the peace of mind we’re all after. Join Stock Advisor to learn more about these strategies.
View the “Social Security secrets” »
The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.
