The Stock Market The historical S&P average annualized returns have been 9.2%. So investing $1,000,000 in the stock market will get you the equivalent of $96,352 in interest in a year. This is enough to live on for most people. Of course, this is just a theory based on the long term average S&P returns.
Can $1,000,000 generate enough interest to live on? This depends on how you save or invest it. Here's how much interest you can earn with a million bucks.
This is probably the goal for many people: reach $1 million, stop working, and live off the interest earnings. But is it enough? Just how much interest does $1 million earn?
It depends on how you save or invest that one million bucks. Here's how much $1,000,000 will earn in one year in different scenarios:
A wise investment will make your money go further. It seems like the obvious choice to invest in stocks, right? But it also depends on your age, goals, and risk tolerance.
Keep reading for a more in-depth discussion. Plus, the smart way to retire off of $1 million.
Tip: You don't have to be a millionaire to invest money and make passive income.
Year Start Principal Start Balance Interest End Balance End Principal
What's the best way to earn passive income?
Owning property and collecting rent is the easiest way to earn passive income year-round. But it's not possible for most people.
Luckily, platforms like Fundrise let anyone become a real estate investor. It automatically invests in properties for you, so you can be hands off and still work toward your future.
Ways to Invest $1,000,000
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Here are the different ways you can invest $1,000,000. They have different levels of risk.
If your goal is to live off of $1,000,000, you'll need to carefully choose how to invest that money. You'll need to maintain enough interest income to live on, while reducing risk of losing money and running out.
The Stock Market
Investing in the stock market has the potential for the highest returns. But it also has the greatest risk.
The historical S&P average annualized returns have been 9.2%[1]. So investing $1,000,000 in the stock market will get you the equivalent of $96,352 in interest in a year. This is enough to live on for most people.
Of course, this is just a theory based on the long term average S&P returns. And this is returns, which is different from interest. You will need to sell your stocks to realize your capital gains.
You also can lose money just as quickly. It's not unusual for you to lose 30% or even more in a market crash. That kind of blow can be devastating if you're nearing or already retired.
Dividend stocks earns interest regardless of the stock's performance. The average S&P 500 dividend yield is around 2%. If you have $1,000,000 invested in dividend stocks, that comes out to $20,000 in interest each year.
If you'd like to live on $1,000,000, you will need to invest in stocks so your money continues to grow. But as you get closer and closer to the end, it's smarter to shift to more conservative investments.
Real Estate
Historically, real estate has outperformed stocks over the long run. It's also a good investment to hedge against the volatility of the stock market.
But investing in real estate is not achievable for most people. First, you need a lot of capital to buy properties. And it's a hassle to maintain them and deal with tenants, just to sell at a profit.
The easiest way to invest $1,000,000 in real estate is in a REIT. This is a fund that manages real estate properties. Historically, REITs has outperformed other assets. Over a 20 year period, REITs have an annualized return of 10.8%. This comes out to $108,000 per year in returns.
You can invest in a public REIT through the stock market (like the Vanguard REIT), or a private REIT through a real estate crowdfunding platform (like Fundrise). This will let you passively invest in real estate and collect dividends without any of the headaches.
Mutual Funds
A mutual fund is a collection of professionally managed stocks and bonds. One mutual fund can contain hundreds of stocks, so you're diversified with just one investment.
They're generally less risky than individual stocks because of the high level of diversification. But they also have less growth. The average returns for mutual funds is 4.67%. With $1,000,000 invested, you will get $46,700 per year in interest.
A lot of retirees gradually shift to more stable retirement income funds. Those kinds of funds usually invest in less risky bonds and large-cap companies. They're designed to provide income and some capital growth.
Bank Savings Account
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Saving your money in the bank is completely risk free, but you also won't make much interest.
The average national interest rate for savings accounts is only 0.17%[5]. If you leave $1,000,000 in a standard savings account, you'd only get $1,700 after a year.
High-yield accounts will pay more interest. With a 2.5% high-yield savings account, you'd get $25,000 in interest in a year.
Savings accounts have their place. They're good for storing money that you'll need in the near future (like emergency fund or upcoming expenses). But if you want to earn enough interest to produce income, you'll need to grow your money more.
How to Live off Interest on $1 Million in Retirement
So, you've worked hard to save $1,000,000. Now will that be enough to last? Realistically, how will your retirement look like?
An old rule-of-thumb is the 4% withdrawal rule. This means withdrawing 4% of your portfolio every year (each year adjusted for inflation).
This is a generally safe withdrawal rate even during the worst market downturns. It can help your money last even longer than 30 years of retirement.
For example, if you have $1,000,000 to start, the 1st year, you can withdraw $40,000
the 2nd year, assuming 3% inflation, you can withdraw $41,200
the 3rd year, assuming 3% inflation again, you can withdraw $42,436
This rule assumes a balanced portfolio of 50% stocks and 50% bonds. This rule has always been a guideline, but it may not work for everyone's situation.
Here is a calculator to provide a quick estimate of how long $1 million bucks would last.
How Long Will My Money Last Calculator Calculate Your money will last: Show Details
Year Start Balance Withdrawal End Balance
Some people would like to spend more in retirement. Or maybe even retire earlier at 50. Based on your situation, $1,000,000 may not be enough. Also keep in mind that with inflation, your money will be worth less and less in later years.
Bottom Line: Is Interest on $1,000,000 Enough?
Depending on how you invest, $1,000,000 can generate a decent amount of interest.
If you're still far from retirement, investing in stocks will have the potential for the greatest returns as you have time to ride out any temporary downs. For those nearing or in retirement, look to more stable investments that still generate a modest return.
So is it enough to live on? That depends on how you want to live. If you live a frugal lifestyle, you can absolutely make it work with smart investments and withdrawals. But if you want to travel and splurge in retirement, you'll likely need more of a nest egg.
Best Platforms to Invest $1M
Earn interest and invest like a millionaire with these top investment platforms:
Most Popular Commission Free Stock Trading M1 Finance allows investors the choice of ETFs and stocks. M1 charges no management fees or commission. Start Investing Read Review
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