How much can you withdraw in retirement and not run out of money?

Asked by: Tony Labadie II  |  Last update: June 30, 2025
Score: 4.2/5 (36 votes)

One frequently used rule of thumb for retirement spending is known as the 4% rule. It's relatively simple: You add up all of your investments, and withdraw 4% of that total during your first year of retirement. In subsequent years, you adjust the dollar amount you withdraw to account for inflation.

How much can I withdraw without running out of money?

The 4% rule states that you withdraw no more than 4% of your starting balance each year in retirement, adjusted each year for inflation. This doesn't guarantee you won't run out of money, but it does help your portfolio withstand market downturns by limiting how much is withdrawn.

How much do I need to retire and never run out of money?

Key takeaways. There is no one-size-fits-all plan when it comes to how much you'll need to retire, but there are a few common benchmarks. Some strategies call for having 10 to 12 times your final working year's salary or specific multiples of your annual income that increase as you age.

How do I ensure I don't run out of money in retirement?

If you're keen to avoid such a large drop in income, your best option may be to continue to work and save, waiting until you're confident you have enough to last before you retire. To make your savings stretch further, you can also seek expert advice on the most tax-efficient way to make withdrawals.

What is the withdrawal rate never run out of money?

The sustainable withdrawal rate is the estimated percentage of savings you're able to withdraw each year throughout retirement without running out of money. As an estimate, aim to withdraw no more than 4% to 5% of your savings in the first year of retirement, then adjust that amount every year for inflation.

How Much Can YOU Safely Spend in Retirement? (4% Rule ➡ 6.3% Rule?)

35 related questions found

What is the maximum safe withdrawal rate in retirement?

The 4% rule is actually very safe for a 30-year retirement. A withdrawal rate of 3.5% can be considered the floor, no matter how long the retirement time horizon. The sequence of real returns matters more than average returns or nominal returns.

What is the largest amount you can withdraw?

ATM withdrawal limits affect the amount of cash you can withdraw in a day or an individual transaction. For most banks, the ATM withdrawal limit ranges from $1,000 to $3,000.

How do retired people not run out of money?

Targeting a 90% confidence level means you will be spending less in retirement, with the trade-off that you are less likely to run out of money. If you regularly revisit your plan and are flexible if conditions change, 75% provides a reasonable confidence level between overspending and underspending.

How long will $500,000 last in retirement?

Summary. If you withdraw $20,000 from the age of 60, $500k will last for over 30 years. Retirement plans, annuities and Social Security benefits should all be considered when planning your future finances. You can retire at 50 with $500k, but it will take a lot of planning and some savvy decision-making.

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

Just 16% of retirees say they have more than $1 million saved, including all personal savings and assets, according to the recent CNBC Your Money retirement survey conducted with SurveyMonkey. In fact, among those currently saving for retirement, 57% say the amount they're hoping to save is less than $1 million.

What is the $1000 a month rule for retirement?

The $1,000 per month rule is designed to help you estimate the amount of savings required to generate a steady monthly income during retirement. According to this rule, for every $240,000 you save, you can withdraw $1,000 per month if you stick to a 5% annual withdrawal rate.

How long will $400,000 last in retirement?

Using our portfolio of $400,000 and the 4% withdrawal rate, you could withdraw $16,000 annually from your retirement accounts and expect your money to last for at least 30 years. If, say, your Social Security checks are $2,000 monthly, you'd have a combined annual income in retirement of $40,000.

How much cash is too much to withdraw?

Transactions involving cash withdrawals or deposits of $10,000 or more are automatically flagged to FinCEN. Even if you are withdrawing this money for legitimate reasons — say, to buy a car or finance a home project—the bank must follow reporting rules.

At what age is 401k withdrawal tax free?

As a general rule, if you withdraw funds before age 59 ½, you'll trigger an IRS tax penalty of 10%. The good news is that there's a way to take your distributions a few years early without incurring this penalty. This is known as the rule of 55.

How many people run out of money in retirement?

According to a simulated model that factors in things like changes in health, nursing home costs, and demographics, about 45% of Americans who leave the workforce at 65 are likely to run out of money during retirement.

How many people have $3000000 in savings?

Probably 1 in every 20 families have a net worth exceeding $3 Million, but most people's net worth is their homes, cars, boats, and only 10% is in savings, so you would typically have to have a net worth of $30 million, which is 1 in every 1000 families.

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

If you have $400,000 in the bank you can retire early at age 62, but it will be tight. The good news is that if you can keep working for just five more years, you are on track for a potentially quite comfortable retirement by full retirement age.

Can I retire at 60 with 300k?

£300k in a pension isn't a huge amount to retire on at the fairly young age of 60, but it's possible for certain lifestyles depending on how your pension fund performs while you're retired and how much you need to live on.

What is the 7% withdrawal rule?

The Only Way to Safely Implement the 7% Rule

A GLWB allows you to withdraw up to 7% of your annuity's value annually, ensuring you receive income for life, even if the annuity's balance is exhausted.

Is it possible to lose your retirement money?

A number of situations could put your pension at risk, including underfunding, mismanagement, bankruptcy, and legal exemptions. Laws exist to protect you in such circumstances, but some laws provide better protection than others.

What is a good monthly retirement income for a couple?

The ideal monthly retirement income for a couple differs for everyone. It depends on your personal preferences, past accomplishments, and retirement plans. Some valuable perspective can be found in the 2022 US Census Bureau's median income for couples 65 and over: $76,490 annually or about $6,374 monthly.

How much cash can you legally withdraw?

Bank Secrecy Act

The Act generally requires all financial institutions to track and report cash transactions that exceed $10,000 in one business day. As a result, if you withdraw (or deposit) more than that $10,000 in cash in a single day, the bank may report your transaction to the internal revenue service (IRS).

Can a bank ask why you are withdrawing money?

Withdrawals over $10,000 may trigger Anti-Money Laundering and Terrorism Financing red flags and cause the bank to ask questions about your cash. These should be pretty easy to answer and leave with your money. For withdrawals under $10,000 there is less reason for the bank to want to know why you want your own cash.

What is the maximum cash back withdrawal?

In a cash-back transaction, consumers are usually limited to a maximum withdrawal amount ranging from $5 to $50, though some merchants may allow higher amounts.