In summary, retiring at 55 means you won't receive Social Security benefits until you're at least 62, and your benefit amount could be lower if you don't have a full 35 years of earnings. It's essential to plan for this gap and consider how it fits into your overall retirement strategy.
What Is the Rule of 55? Under the terms of this rule, you can withdraw funds from your current job's 401(k) or 403(b) plan with no 10% tax penalty if you leave that job in or after the year you turn 55. (Qualified public safety workers can start even earlier, at 50.)
Overall, though, retiring at 55 can be a good idea if you have planned for it and are ready to leave the workforce. It can allow you to enjoy your retirement years without having to worry about money, and it can give you the chance to do the things you've always wanted to do.
However, the IRS rule of 55 may allow you to receive a distribution in the year you reach age 55 or later (and before age 59½) without triggering the early penalty if your plan provides for such distributions. Any distribution would still be subject to an income tax withholding rate of 20 percent, however.
The IRS rule of 55 recognizes you might leave or lose your job before you reach age 59½. If that happens, you might need to begin taking distributions from your 401(k). Unfortunately, there's usually a 10% penalty—on top of the taxes you owe—when you withdraw money early.
Using some basic rules of thumb can help you come up with an answer. For example, a commonly accepted piece of retirement planning advice suggests have seven times your annual income saved by age 55. So if you make $100,000 a year, you'd need $700,000 saved by your 55th birthday.
If you started paying into your pension at 35 and the pension is based on 1/80 of your final salary, then: retiring at 55 would give 20/80 of final salary. retiring at 65 would give 30/80 of final salary.
On average, 63 is the ideal age for retirement according to both retirees and pre-retirees. While current retirees are hitting close to that mark with an average actual retirement age of 62, there are signs that future retirees could have more difficulty retiring at their ideal age.
Can I take my pension early and continue to work? The short answer is yes. These days, there is no set retirement age. You can continue working for as long as you like and, from the age of 55, access most private pensions in various ways.
401(k) Tax Basics
There's no way to take a distribution from a 401(k) without owing income taxes at the rate you're paying the year you take the distribution. Except in special cases, you can't take a distribution from your 401(k) at all until you've reached age 59.5.
When you reach age 55, your CPF savings will be transferred from your Special Account, followed by your Ordinary Account to your Retirement Account up to your Full Retirement Sum (FRS). Savings above your FRS will remain in your Ordinary Account and are withdrawable.
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.
If you are a service retiree, you can work for a private industry employer not associated with any CalPERS employer without restrictions and continue to receive your CalPERS retirement allowance . If you are a disability retiree, there are limitations on private sector employment .
If you retire at age 55, you probably won't be eligible to receive Social Security retirement benefits for several years or be able to withdraw money from your retirement accounts without paying a 10% early withdrawal penalty. Additionally, for most people, Medicare won't kick in for another 10 years.
In many cases, it is possible to collect unemployment benefits and Social Security income at the same time. So, if you're receiving regular Social Security retirement benefits and you lose your job, you may still be eligible for unemployment compensation.
This means if you retire at 55 with £300k, an individual will run out of funds in approximately 7 years, and a couple in 5 years. So, on paper, it doesn't look like enough. But your motives and goals in retirement are likely completely different from the next person. Only you know what you want to do in retirement.
Retiring at an age as young as 55 is a dream for many Americans. However, turning this vision into reality involves some significant financial planning and maneuvering. For example, you'll need to build significant savings, invest your money, account for early withdrawal taxes and take a lot more into consideration.
The rule of 55 is an IRS provision that allows you to withdraw money from your 401(k) or other qualified retirement plan without the 10% early withdrawal penalty if you leave your job in or after the year you turn 55.
If your spouse dies, do you get both Social Security benefits? You cannot claim your deceased spouse's benefits in addition to your own retirement benefits. Social Security only will pay one—survivor or retirement. If you qualify for both survivor and retirement benefits, you will receive whichever amount is higher.
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.
You can start receiving your Social Security retirement benefits as early as age 62. However, you are entitled to full benefits only when you reach your full retirement age. If you delay taking your benefits from your full retirement age up to age 70, your benefit amount will increase.