Will $1 million become the new standard for a comfortable retirement?
The term “millionaire” used to apply only to the wealthy. But recently, a growing number of Americans believe that those who want to retire with peace of mind need to have at least $1 million in savings.
A 2023 study conducted by global investment firm Schroders predicts that older workers will be needed in the future. $1.1 million To retire comfortably.According to a study by Northwestern Mutual, that number is $1.27 million. In his 2024 poll by Charles Schwab, 401(k) participants $1.9 million Retire. New York Life survey sets an astonishing bar $4.3 million.
Aren’t you a billionaire? Don’t despair.Many Americans retire at the last minute.
If you’re not a millionaire, don’t despair. Most of us don’t have that much saved for retirement.
Protect your assets. Best High Yield Savings Accounts of 2023
According to the 2022 Federal Consumer Finance Survey, the median household income for people ages 55 to 64 is approximately $185,000 With retirement savings. The median retirement account balance for all households is $87,000.
Is that enough?
In a new analysis, personal finance site GOBankingRates uses calculations to identify 16 states that require: at least $1 million I am saving for 25 years of retirement funds.
The report examines each state’s annual retiree spending based on Department of Labor statistics, local cost of living indices, and Social Security data.
First, some good news. His two most popular states for retirees, Florida and South Carolina, are not on the $1 million list. These states rank 1st and 2nd in: Inbound retirees In a recent report from AARP.
But New Jersey and Washington, which rank No. 3 and No. 5 on the AARP list, require $1 million in retirement benefits, according to an analysis by GOBankingRate.

Here are the states with $16 million in retirement benefits.
Below is a snapshot of states with $16 million in retirement benefits.
colorado
Annual retirement benefit: $61,807
Minimum retirement savings for 25 years: $1 million
arizona
Annual retirement benefit: $63,600
Minimum retirement savings over 25 years: $1.05 million
new jersey
Annual retirement benefit: $63,773
Minimum retirement savings over 25 years: $1.06 million
maine
Annual retirement benefit: $64,004
Minimum retirement savings over 25 years: $1.06 million
rhode island
Annual retirement benefit: $64,756
Minimum retirement savings over 25 years: $1.08 million
connecticut
Annual retirement benefit: $65,855
Minimum retirement savings over 25 years: $1.11 million
Oregon
Annual retirement benefit: $66,317
Minimum retirement savings over 25 years: $1.12 million
maryland
Annual retirement benefit: $66,375
Minimum retirement savings over 25 years: $1.12 million
vermont state
Annual retirement benefit: $66,433
Minimum retirement savings over 25 years: $1.12 million
new hampshire
Annual retirement benefit: $66,838
Minimum retirement savings over 25 years: $1.13 million
Washington
Annual retirement benefit: $66,895
Minimum retirement savings over 25 years: $1.13 million
alaska
Annual retirement benefit: $73,082
Minimum retirement savings over 25 years: $1.29 million
new york
Annual retirement benefit: $73,140
Minimum retirement savings over 25 years: $1.29 million
California
Annual retirement benefit: $78,864
Minimum retirement savings over 25 years: $1.43 million
Massachusetts
Annual retirement benefit: $85,571
Minimum retirement savings for 25 years: $1.6 million
Hawaii
Annual retirement benefit: $103,610
Minimum retirement savings for 25 years: $2.05 million
Advisers say $1 million is just a number
The idea that Americans need $1 million in the bank to retire is so ingrained that it’s ridiculed in hundreds of headlines about personal finance.
But financial advisors say $1 million is just a number, and a deceptively simple number.
“I think it’s easier to explain the concept using that number, and I think it’s more realistic than using $100,000 or $10 million.” Colin Exelbysaid a certified financial planner in Towson, Maryland, in an AARP report. calm the fear Retirement allowance of approximately 1 million yen. “But other than that, I don’t think it’s very helpful, and if you’re not hitting that number, it can probably cause anxiety and stress.”
In the real world, families may need more than $1 million to fund their retirement. Other households may need more.
“Each person is completely different,” he said. Michelle CrumbCertified Financial Planner in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Crumm has a client with a net worth of $180,000 who plans to retire this year.
“She has a pension and social security, but she doesn’t own a house,” Crum said. “Her budget is balanced” and she also has an annual leave fund. “I’m not worried about whether the strategy we developed will help her retire safely.”
Mr. Crum has another customer. They are a couple in their 50s with a net worth of $2.2 million and have been retired for five years.
“They have mortgages and credit card debt and are spending beyond their means,” she says. “We have a plan, but they aren’t sticking to it. I’m very worried about their retirement.”
Will retirement last for 25 years?
Similarly, the 25-year figure is only a rough estimate of the average length of retirement.
That’s a tedious calculation. The average lifespan is between 70 and 80 years, but by the age of 65 he is likely to live well beyond 80 years.
How long will my retirement last?Most American men don’t seem to know
Advisers say 25 years after retirement is a reasonable threshold for retiring after age 60. But again, this doesn’t cover everyone.
“Many high-income people want to escape the stress of work long before age 65, usually around age 55,” he said. christopher lyman, a certified financial planner in Newtown, Pennsylvania. “This obviously extends that period.”
Lyman says older Americans with healthy lifestyles can live well into their mid-80s. People with chronic illnesses may not reach age 80.
Photo gallery:From Colorado to Hawaii, states where you need at least $1 million to retire
If the list of states paying $1 million in retirement benefits doesn’t put you off, here’s another GOBankingRates report that summarizes it for you. City You need more than $1 million to retire.



