How to retire at 62 with no savings?

Asked by: Clifford Ratke  |  Last update: December 14, 2025
Score: 4.4/5 (39 votes)

If you retire with no money, you'll have to consider ways to create income to pay for your living expenses. That might include applying for Social Security retirement benefits, getting a reverse mortgage if you own a home, or starting a side hustle or part-time job to generate a steady paycheck.

How much money is needed to retire at 62?

Experts suggest saving eight to ten times one's annual income by age 62, but many Americans must catch up, making careful planning necessary. Inflation and investment returns significantly impact your retirement savings, so a diversified portfolio is crucial in maintaining purchasing power.

What happens when you have no retirement savings?

You may have to rely on Social Security

Many retirees with little to no savings rely solely on Social Security as their main source of income. You can claim Social Security benefits as early as age 62, but your benefit amount will depend on when you start filing for the benefit.

Is $1500 a month enough to retire?

It's Possible To Retire on a $1,500 Monthly Budget

But with a little creativity and flexibility, you may find a new home with everything you want, including a good climate, welcoming community and affordable lifestyle. Depending on exactly what you're looking for, any of these five options could be the perfect match.

How do people live with no retirement savings?

Individuals who have not saved for retirement and who still own homes can turn to their homes as a source of income. For some, this could mean renting a portion of their space as a separate apartment. Another option is to take a reverse mortgage on a home, although doing so can be costly and complicated.

How To Retire In 10 Years (Starting With $0)

28 related questions found

What happens to people who don t have enough money to retire?

Can you retire on no money? Having no savings means that you will be forced to rely on your Social Security benefits for income in retirement. According to the Social Security Administration (SSA), among Social Security beneficiaries, 12% of men and 15% of women rely on Social Security for 90% or more of their income.

Is it normal to have no savings?

Approximately 30% of people in Britain have no savings. It's vital to save money for emergencies and for retirement. There are various ways to start saving and to improve how you save.

Can a retiree live on $3,000 a month?

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.

Where can I retire on $500 a month?

Thailand. Is it possible to retire in Thailand and keep the costs in check? Certainly! It's another top choice for digital nomads with an achievable $500 monthly budget, focusing on affordable accommodation.

How to retire at 62 with no money?

10 Things To Do If You Want To Retire Soon But Have No Savings
  1. Go through your expenses and look for ways to cut back. ...
  2. Take advantage of tax-sheltered retirement accounts. ...
  3. Try to pay off your debts by the time you retire. ...
  4. See how much you qualify for in Social Security benefits. ...
  5. Become an expat. ...
  6. Work longer.

What happens when you run out of money when you retire?

Most people who run out of money in retirement continue to scrimp by — living on Social Security income, pursuing a part time job and they have perhaps dramatically cut costs.

How many people have no money saved for retirement?

20 percent of adults ages 50 and over have no retirement savings at all. 61 percent are worried they will not have enough money to support themselves in retirement. Perhaps most startling, only 40 percent of men who are regularly saving for retirement believe they are saving enough. For women the number is 30 percent.

What is the #1 reason to take Social Security at 62?

Those facing financial emergencies, such as a layoff or debt, may benefit from accessing Social Security early. If you retire early and need extra income, Social Security benefits can provide supplemental funds to support your new lifestyle, hobbies or retirement activities.

How much will my check be if I retire at 62?

Here's how the maximum Social Security retirement benefit breaks down in 2024: Retired at earliest retirement age (62): $2,710 per month. Retired at full retirement age: $3,822 per month. Retired at age 70: $4,873 per month.

Is it smart to retire at 62?

If you can retire at 62, it means that you are in a good place financially. You should not retire unless your finances can withstand an unforeseen upheaval. You do not want to find yourself in a situation where you run out of savings or require more money than you have access to.

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.

At what age should you have $100,000 in a 401k?

Kevin O'Leary: By Age 33, You Should Have $100K in Savings — How To Get Started. If you're just starting out in your career, $100,000 might seem like a lot of money. After all, the median salary of a 20- to 24-year-old, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data, is just $37,024.

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.

What is a good monthly income to retire on?

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 to get $3000 a month of Social Security at age 62?

Exactly how much in earnings do you need to get a $3,000 benefit? Well, you just need to have averaged about 70% of the taxable maximum. In our example case, that means that your earnings in 1983 were about $22,000 and increased every year to where they ended at about $100,000 at age 62.

How much is $1000 a month for 5 years?

In fact, at the end of the five years, if you invest $1,000 per month you would have $83,156.62 in your investment account, according to the SIP calculator (assuming a yearly rate of return of 11.97% and quarterly compounding).

How many people are debt free?

Around 23% of Americans are debt free, according to the most recent data available from the Federal Reserve. That figure factors in every type of debt, from credit card balances and student loans to mortgages, car loans and more. The exact definition of debt free can vary, though, depending on whom you ask.

Why you shouldn't leave money in savings?

When you keep your cash in a savings account — even a high-yield account like the Ally Online Savings Account or Marcus by Goldman Sachs High Yield Online Savings — over time you'll miss out on earning a better return on your money and really growing it like you would if you invested.

Does pension count as savings?

Pension lump sums

If you choose to take your pension as a lump sum, this will count as savings. If you are over State Pension age and do not claim your pension, the DWP may still decide that pension counts as income. This may affect your benefits, including a joint Universal Credit claim with someone under pension age.