Yes, it's possible to retire on $1 million today. In fact, with careful planning and a solid investment strategy, you could possibly live off the returns from a $1 million nest egg.
At the current Treasury rate of 4.3%, a $1 million portfolio would generate about $43,000 per year, or roughly $3,500 per month. With your Social Security payments that would generate about $6,000, again enough to live comfortably in most places.
As you can see, there are many ways to invest $1 million and earn interest. However, most of these investments are currently paying between 4–5% interest. So, if you want to live off the interest from your portfolio, you'll need to spend less than $5,000 per month.
High-yield savings: According to the FDIC, the average savings account interest rate is just 0.45% — just $4,500 annually for a $1 million balance — but high-yield savings accounts offer rates around 4% to 5%, with a yield of $40,000 to $50,000 per year.
The safest place to put $1 million dollars would be in a combination of insured bank accounts and conservative investments, such as bonds and CDs, to ensure a balance of liquidity and stability.
Individuals are insured at banks for up $250,000 in both deposit accounts and another $250,000 for deposits kept in IRAs. This allows individuals to keep up to $500,000 safely under the insurance limit, or $1.5 million for couples.
Yes, you can place $1 million in a CD account. However, it's important to note that while most banks and credit unions offer CD accounts, some may have maximum deposit limits. Before opening an account, check with your financial institution to understand their specific policies.
In fact, many wealthy people can and do "live off the interest." That is, they put a chunk of their fortune in a relatively safe collection of income-generating assets and live off of that—allowing them to be more adventurous with the rest.
At age 60, a $1 million annuity could pay around $62,000 annually, but delaying payouts until age 65 could increase the yearly payout to approximately $90,000. You may find drawbacks such as limited access to funds, penalties for early withdrawal, fees and inflation reducing the purchasing power of your payments.
Additionally, statistics show that the top 2% of the United States population has a net worth of about $2.4 million. On the other hand, the top 5% wealthiest Americans have a net worth of just over $1 million. Therefore, about 2% of the population possesses enough wealth to meet the current definition of being rich.
So, let's break it down – how many Americans have a net worth of $1 million or more? According to the 2022 Survey of Consumer Finances by the Federal Reserve, only about 12% of U.S. households have a net worth over $1 million. This means that the vast majority – 88% – are nowhere near that level.
The classic approach to doubling your money is investing in a diversified portfolio of stocks and bonds, which is likely the best option for most investors. Investing to double your money can be done safely over several years, but there's a greater risk of losing most or all your money when you're impatient.
For many people, $1 million is enough to retire. But whether it will be enough for you depends on several factors, including your anticipated lifestyle, your estimated healthcare costs, inflation, and how long you expect to live.
It's smart to put your down payment savings where it can earn a strong, safe return. Today's best CDs are a great option, as they lock in 4–5% rates that are guaranteed for months or years down the road. Whether you've saved $20,000, $30,000, or much more, a CD could boost your down payment by thousands of dollars.
Can you have a million dollars in a checking account? No rule says you can't have a million dollars in a checking account, but FDIC insurance typically only covers up to $250,000. Plus, you can get a bigger return on your investment by keeping $1 million elsewhere.
Once you have $1 million in assets, you can look seriously at living entirely off the returns of a portfolio. After all, the S&P 500 alone averages 10% returns per year. Setting aside taxes and down-year investment portfolio management, a $1 million index fund could provide $100,000 annually.
Pay off debt
With a winning ticket for a million dollars, you could do a lot of things, but one of the smartest is to pay off your debts -- especially those with high interest rates. Your credit card debt, student loans, and mortgage could all be completely paid off, along with any other debts you owe.
According to industry reports, managing directors in investment banking can earn between $500,000 and $1 million, with bonuses significantly increasing their total compensation. Corporate Executive Corporate executives, such as CEOs and CFOs, oversee company operations, strategy, and financial performance.
While preferences differ, many millionaires choose banks that offer private banking services tailored to high-net-worth individuals. Institutions like J.P. Morgan Private Bank, Citi Private Bank, and Bank of America Private Bank offer perks like personal bankers, waived fees, and wealth management services.
For example, if you have retirement savings of $1 million, the 4% rule says that you can safely withdraw $40,000 per year during the first year — increasing this number for inflation each subsequent year — without running out of money within the next 30 years.
It's a good idea to keep enough cash at home to cover two months' worth of basic necessities, some experts recommend. A locked, waterproof and fireproof safe can help protect your cash and other valuables from fire, flood or theft.