A] Prelude
For more information on pension systems, risk and coverage, feel free to visit our dedicated webpages:
https://expatpensionholland.nl/usa-expat-pensions
https://expatpensionholland.nl/global-pillars-systems
https://expatpensionholland.nl/global-investments-risks-0
https://expatpensionholland.nl/global-social-security-coverage
B] The Issue
A recent study broke down just how far $750,000 in combined savings and Social Security would last for someone’s retirement in each state of the union, considering such factors as housing markets, healthcare costs and varied cost of living expenses across America.
Such a list, though, can be a bit overwhelming at first, especially for someone just in the beginning stages of planning their retirement and where to experience it.
With that in mind, a survey has condensed that deep-dive census study into the four regions of the United States. Considering spending your golden years on the golden coast? Curious if retirement would be easier in the South vs. the Northeast?
Let’s look at the numbers and get you started.
C] Northeast
States in the Northeast are Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont.
Average years $750,000 will last with Social Security: 17.21
With such states as Massachusetts (in which $750,000 would be spent the most quickly, disappearing after a scant 12.29 years) and New York (15.38 years), the Northeast is, on average, the most expensive corner of the country to retire.
On average, $750,000 would be gone after a mere 17.21 years in the region. In fact, only one state in the entire northeast can stretch $750,000 beyond two decades: Pennsylvania, at 22.82 years.
D] South
States in the South are Alabama, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia.
Average years $750,000 will last with Social Security: 23.43
The South is an extraordinarily large and expansive area, stretching from Delaware to Florida to Oklahoma to Texas. As such, it contains a wide breadth of cost-of-living highs and lows, with the most expensive location (Maryland) consuming $750,000 in just 16.75 years; meanwhile, West Virginia is not only the most affordable state in the region ($750,000 can last up to 28.8 years there), but in the entire country as well.
E] Midwest
States in the Midwest are Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin.
Average years $750,000 will last with Social Security: 24.27
With an average rate of 24.27 years, $750,000 will last a retiree the longest in the Midwest, even without the least expensive state in the union. The priciest state in the area (Wisconsin) will still carry that sizeable retirement fund for 22.28 years, while a retiree in the least expensive state (Missouri) can coast on that amount for 26.08 years.
F] West
States in the West are Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming.
Average years $750,000 will last with Social Security: 18.76
Perhaps unsurprisingly, the American West is one of two regions in the country in which $750,000 can’t last more than two decades — the area is home to the most expensive state
(Hawaii will exhaust that six-figure amount in just 8.8 years) as well as notorious wallet killers like California (12.21 years) and Washington (16.99).
Meanwhile, the least expensive state in the area is New Mexico, in which a retiree can cruise on $750,000 for nearly three times as long as Hawaii, at an average of 23.66 years.
G] Finally
If you might want to check out the numbers if you would retire outside of the U.S., then please also take into account the effect of possibly existing double tax treaties as they define which country is entitled to levy tax on income and wealth.