This Couple Has $1M Saved And A Nearly Paid-Off Home—So Why Are They Panicking About Retirement?
Yahoo Finance·2025-10-28 17:27

Core Insights - A Reddit user shared a retirement scenario with $1 million in 401(k)s and a $750,000 house, raising concerns about financial security despite seemingly strong savings [1][2] - The couple is in a rare financial position, with less than 5% of retirees holding $1 million in financial assets, placing them in the top 3% of households [2] Financial Analysis - The paid-off house significantly alters retirement calculations, with estimates suggesting their $1 million savings could equate to an annual withdrawal of $70,000 to $80,000 compared to those with a mortgage [3] - Working an additional five to six years could potentially increase their savings to $2 million by full retirement age, according to financial planning projections [4] Expense Considerations - The consensus among Reddit users is that the couple's financial outlook heavily depends on their current and projected expenses, with a stark difference in outcomes based on annual spending [5] - Utilizing the 4% or revised 4.7% withdrawal rule indicates an initial annual withdrawal of $40,000 to $47,000 from their $1 million, potentially leading to a gross income of $80,000 to $110,000 when combined with Social Security benefits [6]