Is Your Retirement Savings Enough?
Find out exactly how far your savings will go — from $300k to $1M+. Real math, real scenarios, no fluff.
Whether your savings are 'enough' depends on three factors: your annual spending, Social Security income, and how long you need it to last. Using the 4% safe withdrawal rule, $500,000 generates $20,000/year; combined with average Social Security ($21,756/year), that's $41,756/year total. Most Americans need $40,000-$60,000/year for a comfortable retirement.
- 4% rule: multiply your savings by 0.04 for safe annual withdrawal
- Average Social Security benefit in 2026: $21,756/year ($1,813/month)
- Healthcare before 65: budget $12,000-$24,000/year per couple
- Location matters: $500k goes much further in Tennessee than California
- A 10-15% gold allocation protects against the #1 retirement risk: sequence-of-returns
Retirement Savings Breakdown: $300k to $1M
| Savings | Monthly (4% Rule) | Annual (4% Rule) | + Social Security | Verdict | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $300k | $1,000 | $12,000 | $33,756 | Tight — requires low-cost living + part-time income | Full Analysis |
| $400k | $1,333 | $16,000 | $37,756 | Possible in low-cost areas with controlled spending | Full Analysis |
| $500k | $1,667 | $20,000 | $41,756 | Comfortable in moderate-cost areas | Full Analysis |
| $600k | $2,000 | $24,000 | $45,756 | Solid — covers most areas with discipline | Full Analysis |
| $750k | $2,500 | $30,000 | $51,756 | Comfortable — above-average retirement income | Full Analysis |
| $800k | $2,667 | $32,000 | $53,756 | Strong position — flexibility for healthcare & travel | Full Analysis |
| $1M | $3,333 | $40,000 | $61,756 | Classic milestone — inflation is the real threat | Full Analysis |
Tight — requires low-cost living + part-time income
Possible in low-cost areas with controlled spending
Comfortable in moderate-cost areas
Solid — covers most areas with discipline
Comfortable — above-average retirement income
Strong position — flexibility for healthcare & travel
Classic milestone — inflation is the real threat
* Based on 4% safe withdrawal rate + average Social Security benefit of $21,756/year. Individual results vary based on spending, location, and healthcare needs.
3 Factors That Determine If You Have Enough
Annual Spending
The average retired household spends $52,141/year (BLS 2024). Your number depends on location, healthcare, and lifestyle. Housing is typically 30-35% of the budget.
Social Security
Average benefit: $1,813/month. Claiming at 62 reduces it by 30%. Waiting until 70 increases it by 24% over full retirement age. This is often the biggest income source in retirement.
Inflation Protection
At 3% inflation, $50,000/year of purchasing power erodes to $37,200 in 10 years. Gold has historically matched or exceeded inflation — a 10-15% allocation preserves your buying power.
Protect What You've Saved
The biggest risk in retirement isn't running out of money — it's a market crash in your first 5 years. A Gold IRA protects against sequence-of-returns risk while preserving your purchasing power.
Augusta Precious Metals is our #1 rated Gold IRA company for their education-first approach and transparent pricing.
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