This brings us to the question -- can a retired person live on $4,000 a month? The answer is yes, almost 1 in 3 retirees today are spending between $2,000 and $3,999 per month, implying that $4,000 is a good monthly income for a retiree.
Average monthly retirement income in 2021 for retirees 65 and older was about $4,000 a month, or $48,000 a year; this is a slight decrease from 2020, when it was about $49,000. In general, monthly income ranges somewhere between $2,000 and $6,000 a month.
Let's say you consider yourself the typical retiree. Between you and your spouse, you currently have an annual income of $120,000. Based on the 80% principle, you can expect to need about $96,000 in annual income after you retire, which is $8,000 per month.
Living on $2,000 per month is doable, but you won't be able to live just anywhere. This is important because at the time of writing the average Social Security benefit paid is $1,701 per month.
If you earned around $50,000 per year before retirement, the odds are good that a $300,000 retirement account and Social Security benefits will allow you to continue enjoying your same lifestyle. By age 55 the median American household has about $120,000 saved for retirement, and about $212,500 in net worth.
What is the average and median retirement savings? The average retirement savings for all families is $333,940 according to the 2022 Survey of Consumer Finances.
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.
As of December 2023, the average check is $1,767.03, according to the Social Security Administration – but that amount can differ drastically depending on the type of recipient.
Follow the 3% Rule for an Average Retirement
If you are fairly confident you won't run out of money, begin by withdrawing 3% of your portfolio annually. Adjust based on inflation but keep an eye on the market, as well.
As of 2022, the median household income in the U.S. was $74,580, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Assuming a middle-class retiree earned this salary and retired at age 65 — specifically 65 and 11 months — their Social Security benefit would be $1,867 per month.
Lisbon, Portugal. Portugal is ranked 4th in the 2022 Internations Expat City Ranking, and expats there say they're the happiest living in its capital city, Lisbon. The coastal capital city is one where an individual can retire on $5,000 per month.
If you make $4,000 a month, your hourly salary would be $23.08.
Is $5,000 a month a good retirement income? $5,000 a month is about $60,000 a year which can be a good income if that covers your expenses. Depending on your retirement plan, whether it is a traditional IRA or a Simple IRA, you could get monthly installment payments once you stop working after the age of 65.
A plurality of older Americans, 40.2 percent, only receive income from Social Security in retirement. Roughly equal numbers of older Americans receive income from defined benefit pensions as from defined contribution plans.
Here we have a two-person household with Social Security benefits and an IRA balance. Your Social Security income alone should cover much of your necessities. At $4,500 per month ($54,000 per year) between each of you, these benefits could cover many retired couples' needs.
Retirement Under $2,000 Can Be Fulfilling
Living on a monthly budget of around $1,500 might involve relocating to a more affordable city, gardening or growing your own food and embracing a minimalist lifestyle centered around community-driven experiences while cutting back on dining out and personal expenditures.
Nearly 2 in 5 Retirees Have No Retirement Savings
The survey found that about 37% of retirees say they have no retirement savings, up from 30% in 2022, and only about 12% have at least the recommended $555,000 in savings.
Nearly one in four (22 percent) U.S. adults said they have no emergency savings. Despite economic challenges, the percentage remains relatively unchanged year-over-year. In 2022, 23 percent of Americans had no emergency savings.
The rule of thumb is that to you'll need about 80 percent of your pre-retirement income to maintain your lifestyle in retirement, although that rule requires a pretty flexible thumb.