Here's How Much You'd Need to Invest in This ETF to Retire Comfortably
The Motley Fool·2026-01-12 23:16

Core Insights - A comfortable retirement is achievable through time, discipline, and the right investment strategies, rather than relying on high-risk stocks [1] - Regular contributions to retirement accounts like IRAs or 401(k)s, combined with a reasonable rate of return, can lead to a secure retirement [2] Investment Strategy - Utilizing an S&P 500 ETF, such as the Vanguard S&P 500 ETF, is recommended due to its diversification, low expense ratio of 0.03%, and suitability for long-term investing [3] - The Vanguard S&P 500 ETF is currently priced at $639.34, with a daily change of 0.16% [4] Retirement Savings Guidelines - The amount needed for retirement varies based on individual circumstances, including investment duration, desired retirement income, healthcare needs, and risk tolerance [4] - A common guideline suggests aiming for a retirement account balance of $1 million, which may require saving 10 times the ending annual salary for a comfortable retirement [5] Monthly Savings Requirements - Monthly savings required to reach a $1 million retirement goal varies significantly based on starting age and assumes an 8% annual return: - Age 20: $161 - Age 30: $368 - Age 40: $876 - Age 50: $2,316 - Age 60: $8,919 [10] General Recommendations - Starting early and saving as much as possible provides flexibility for future changes in financial situations [8] - Investing in a broad market fund like the Vanguard S&P 500 ETF allows investors to benefit from overall market growth without needing to identify individual stock winners [9]