As retirement becomes more expensive, $2 million may be a realistic savings goal. In fact, the average worker expects to need roughly $1.9 million to retire comfortably, a recent survey from Schwab Retirement Plan Services found.
If you're earning an average salary, saving that much money may not seem feasible. With the right strategy, though, it's easier than you might think to become a retirement multimillionaire. By following these three steps, a $2 million retirement fund may be within reach.
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1. Start investing now
Time is your most valuable resource when it comes to saving for retirement, so the sooner you begin investing, the easier it will be to reach your $2 million goal.
Even if you can't afford to save much, you're better off starting to invest now than waiting a few years. Every year counts, and if you put off investing for too long, you'll need to save significantly more each month to reach your goal.
If you're having trouble setting money aside for retirement, try building your savings goal into your budget. Set your savings on autopilot by transferring a set amount from your paycheck or your bank account into your retirement fund each month. When saving becomes a priority, it will be easier to save consistently and stick to your plans.
2. Choose the right investments
Investing in the stock market is a fantastic way to build wealth, and you can earn significantly more than if you were to park your cash in a savings account. However, it is important to choose the right investments, because not all stocks are created equal.
As you're shopping around for investments, consider how much work you're willing to put in. If you're a hands-off type of investor, S&P 500 ETFs are a smart option. If you're eager to spend time researching different companies, buying individual stocks may be your best choice.
Regardless of where you invest, focus on strong investments that are likely to perform well over the long term. It may seem counterintuitive, but you'll generally make more money with slow but steady investments than you will with stocks that promise to make you rich overnight.
3. Stay invested for as long as possible
Again, the more time you have to invest, the easier it will be to accumulate $2 million. When you invest a little each month for decades, you can become a multimillionaire even on an average salary.
Say, for example, you're earning $50,000 per year and can set aside 15% of that toward your retirement fund. That comes out to around $625 per month. Keep in mind, too, that if you're saving in a 401(k), you may be entitled to matching contributions from your employer, which will account for a portion of your monthly savings goal.
Let's also say you're earning a 9% average annual return on your investments, which is just under the market average. At that rate, here's roughly how much you'd have saved depending on how many years you let your money grow:
| Number of Years | Total Savings |
|---|---|
| 10 | $114,000 |
| 20 | $385,000 |
| 30 | $1,022,000 |
| 40 | $2,534,000 |
Data source: Author's calculations via Investor.gov.
Reaching $2 million in savings is possible, as long as you have the right strategy. By starting to save early in life, choosing the right investments, and continuing to invest consistently for as long as possible, you can maximize your earnings and retire a multimillionaire.
