Is it realistic to retire at 55?

Asked by: Mr. Brenden Adams V  |  Last update: February 9, 2022
Score: 4.5/5 (65 votes)

If you want to retire in your 50s, it is perfectly legal. It's important to remember that 55 is not the average age for retirement—Social Security's normal retirement age is 66 and four months — or 67. The higher age means you have to wait until then to start receiving Social Security benefits.

How much does the average person need to retire at 55?

Experts say to have at least seven times your salary saved at age 55. That means if you make $55,000 a year, you should have at least $385,000 saved for retirement. Keep in mind that life is unpredictable–economic factors, medical care, how long you live will also impact your retirement expenses.

What are the benefits of retiring at 55?

Some Pros of Retiring Early
  • It could be good for your health.
  • You'll enjoy more time to travel.
  • It's an opportunity to start a new career.
  • It could be bad for your health.
  • Your Social Security benefits will be smaller.
  • Your retirement savings will have to last longer.
  • You'll need to find health insurance.

What is a realistic retirement age?

When asked when they plan to retire, most people say between 65 and 67. But according to a Gallup survey the average age that people actually retire is 61.

Can I retire at 55 with $700000?

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. But that's only part of the equation.

Retire at 55 | What It Takes to Retire Early

39 related questions found

What is the rule of 55?

The rule of 55 is an IRS regulation that allows certain older Americans to withdraw money from their 401(k)s without incurring the customary 10% penalty for early withdrawals made before age 59 1/2.

Is 2m enough to retire at 55?

Yes, you can retire at 55 with 2 million dollars. At age 55, an annuity will provide a guaranteed level income of $84,000 annually starting immediately, for the rest of the insured's lifetime. The income will stay the same and never decrease.

What is the best age for a woman to retire?

4 It's generally wise to plan for living until age 85 or 90 to reduce the odds of outliving your savings. At 65, the average life expectancy is 21.5 years if you're a woman and 19 years if you're a man, according to the SSA's life expectancy calculator. Half of the population will live longer than life expectancy.

How long does the average person live after they retire?

A paper attributed to the aircraft-maker Boeing shows that employees who retire at 55 live to, on average, 83. But those who retire at 65 only last, on average, another 18 months. The "Boeing study" has been quoted by newspapers, magazines and pundits. It's circulated on the internet for years.

Can I retire at 57?

So, is 57 a good age to retire? The answer is both a Yes and a No. It's a Yes because you may sign up for retirement at any age and the resignation will vary from person to person. ... Back in the days, most people waited until the late 60s or early 70s to retire, though American citizens choose to retire much earlier.

How can I retire comfortably at 55?

If your goal is to retire at age 55, Fidelity recommends that you save at least seven times your annual income. That means if your annual income is $70,000 a year, you need to save $490,000.

How will retiring at 55 affect my Social Security?

The SSA doesn't penalize working retirees forever. You'll receive all of the benefits the government withheld after you reach your full retirement age. At that time, the SSA recalculates your benefit amount.

Is 1m enough to retire at 55?

In the UK there are currently no age restrictions on retirement and generally, you can access your pension pot from as early as 55. ... As a general rule of thumb, you'll need 20x your unfunded retirement expenses in savings/pensions.

What is a good monthly retirement income?

Median retirement income for seniors is around $24,000; however, average income can be much higher. On average, seniors earn between $2000 and $6000 per month. Older retirees tend to earn less than younger retirees. It's recommended that you save enough to replace 70% of your pre-retirement monthly income.

How do I retire with no money?

3 Ways to Retire Without Any Savings
  1. Boost your Social Security benefits. The great thing about Social Security is that it's designed to pay you for life, and a higher monthly benefit could compensate for a lack of retirement savings. ...
  2. Get a part-time job. ...
  3. Rent out part of your home.

Do you live longer if you retire early?

Authors of the meta-analysis examined 25 studies and, again, reached an equivocal conclusion. Researchers found no association between early retirement and mortality compared with on-time retirement.

What are the signs you need to retire?

While it can be hard to make that assessment, watch for these five signs that suggest it's the right time for you to retire.
  • You have plenty of money saved. ...
  • You know your withdrawal rate. ...
  • You have a Social Security claiming strategy. ...
  • You've made a budget. ...
  • You understand the tax rules.

Does retiring early extend life?

Retiring early can actually lengthen your life, economists from the University of Amsterdam affirmed in a 2017 study published in the journal of Health and Economics. ... For one, retiring frees you up, allowing you more time to invest in your health.

How do you know if you are mentally ready to retire?

If you're struggling, here are three signs you may be ready to retire.
  • You've faced your fears.
  • Your financial plan has been stress tested.
  • You know what you're retiring to (not just from)

What are the five stages of retirement?

The 5 Stages of Retirement Everyone Will Go Through
  • First Stage: Pre-Retirement.
  • Second Stage: Full Retirement.
  • Third Stage: Disenchantment.
  • Fourth Stage: Reorientation.
  • Fifth Stage: Reconciliation & Stability.

What is the average age of retirement in 2020?

At 62, the average retirement age was the highest Gallup reported in its 20 years of tracking retirement trends. Even in pre-pandemic 2019 and in 2020, the average retirement age was 61. At the same time, 2021's expected retirement age of 64 was lower than in previous years: It was 66 in 2020 and 65 in 2019.

Can a single person retire on 2 million dollars?

It's an important question to ask. Yes, for some people, $2 million should be more than enough to retire. For others, $2 million may not even scratch the surface. ... But, the significance of making sure $2 million is enough to retire becomes even more important at age 60.

Can I retire at 60 with 500k?

Can I retire on $500k plus Social Security? Yes, you can! The average monthly Social Security Income check-in 2021 is $1,543 per person.

Can I live off the interest of my 401k?

You can live off interest alone, but you need to be careful about understanding your expenses and your current and future assets. Also, remember that investment returns are not guaranteed, and the more risk you take on to achieve a higher return, the greater your probability of losing some of your investment.

Can I retire at 55 with my 401k?

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.)