You Have $1.1 Million Saved at 60, Here Is the Monthly Income You Can Actually Count On

At age 60, with about $1.1 million saved for retirement, the key question is how much sustainable monthly income can be drawn before Social Security. The classic 4% rule implies about $44,000 per year, roughly $3,667 per month, indexed for inflation over a 30-year horizon. Yet newer research suggests a more conservative approach for such a long forecast, with a durable 3.5% starting withdrawal yielding about $38,500 annually, or roughly $3,208 monthly. The article defines an honest range of about $3,200 to $3,700 per month before Social Security, with inflation adjustments later. Market yields and inflation—10‑year bonds near 5%, 30‑year near 5%, and Core PCE inflation around the 90th percentile—shape these numbers, underscoring that the first five to seven retirement years determine longevity and that withdrawals should align with market cycles.