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Approaching Retirement With Little Savings? Here’s How to Make It Work

Fact checked by Vikki VelasquezEleganza / Getty Images Retiring with limited savings is doable, but it starts with taking stock of your financial situation.Whether you were unable to save as much as you hoped to when you were younger or had to dip into your retirement accounts early, leaving the workforce with limited savings can make fully retiring difficult.According to a 2024 BlackRock survey, less than half (47%) of retirement savers said they felt they were on track to retire with the lifestyle they wanted. Three-fifths said they were worried they would outlive their retirement funds.Retiring with a smaller nest egg can be challenging, but with strategic planning and informed decisions, it's possible to transition into retirement successfully.Key TakeawaysIt's possible to retire with limited savings, but you may need to draft a financial plan and explore alternative income sources like part-time work or home equity.Delaying Social Security benefits can significantly boost retirement income, but it may only make sense if you have other funds to bridge the gap.There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to retirement, so decisions like how much to save, whether to relocate or downsize, and when to claim Social Security should be based on your finances and personal circumstances.Take Stock of Your FinancesBefore you decide to retire, it's essential to get an idea of your finances. You'll want to take stock of how much you have saved up across different accounts, whether that's your bank accounts, brokerage accounts, 401(k)s, or individual retirement accounts (IRAs)."'Do I have enough?' This is probably the question I get asked the most often," said MaryAnne Gucciardi, a CFP and founder of Wealthmind Financial Planning. "For clients, I start with a model [that includes] what they're spending, what's coming in, and what they really want to do."Ultimately, how much you want to have saved up depends on what you think you're spending will look like in retirement.The 4% RuleIf you don't have a financial planner, it could be helpful to use a common rule-of-thumb, like the 4% rule, to figure out if you have enough money.With the 4% rule, a retiree can take a 4% withdrawal from their nest egg the first year of retirement and then adjust it every year after that for inflation. This approach is designed to make your savings last for approximately 30 years.If your annual expenses are $60,000, by following the 4% rule, you would aim to save 25 times that amount, or $1.5 million.This approach, however, doesn't account for the income you'll receive from Social Security or the fact that you'll no longer have 401(k) or IRA contributions in retirement. Therefore, you may consider saving less than that amount, as your spending may decline in retirement.You can also use retirement savings tables online to help you figure out if you're on track to retire based on your age and income.At the end of the day, these are just general guidelines, so make sure to personalize them.Funding The ShortfallAfter you've taken stock of your finances, there are many ways to try to fund the gap in your retirement savings."People can work part-time, they can downsize, they can relocate, they can have children move-in and share rent, mortgage, and other expenses. There are so many creative ways to get to retirement that you love," said Gucciardi.Consider Working LongerIf you're still able to work, consider extending your career a bit longer—this gives you extra time to build up your savings, a shorter retirement to fund, and possibly the ability to delay collecting Social Security benefits.And for those who are unable to continue to work full-time or in-person, there are some types of gig work—like freelance writing or tutoring—can be done entirely from home, offering retirees flexibility and the opportunity to create their own schedules.Take Advantage of IRA Catch-Up ContributionsThose who continue to work can put additional money towards retirement. For IRAs, individuals age 50 and over can make contributions worth up to $8,000 for 2025. (The IRA and catch-up contribution limits are $7,000 and $1,000, respectively.)Additionally, if you have a workplace retirement plan and are age 50 or older, you may be eligible to make catch-up contributions worth up to $7,500 for 2025. The total annual contribution limit, including the catch-up for 401(k)s is $31,000.Plus, under SECURE 2.0, a federal retirement law, workers aged 60, 61, 62, and 63 are now able to make larger catch-up contributions, up to $11,250 in 2025.Take a Look at Your Home EquityIf you own a home, you may not consider your home equity when evaluating your retirement nest egg. However, some retirees may be able to free up extra funds by selling their home and downsizing or moving to a lower-cost-of-living area in retirement.One Vanguard study found that 60% of retirees who move end up in an area with a cheaper housing market. By moving to a location with a more affordable housing market, retirees unlocked a median home equity of approximately $100,000.Note that this may not be practical option for everyone, especially for those who currently live in a low cost of living area but plan to move to more expensive region. Gucciardi also notes that retirees shouldn't solely relocate based on cost, but should take a more holistic approach to their decision."When I have clients who say they are going to move or relocate to a low-cost area, I drill down and ask them: Who is going to take them to appointments? Are they moving someplace where they have a community?" said Gucciardi. "At some point, you will need more help and need a network."Think Carefully About When to Collect Social SecurityBy delaying Social Security, retirees can earn extra money to the tune of hundreds of thousands of dollars over the course of retirement, yet delaying might not be the right choice for everyone.When choosing when to start collecting benefits, carefully weigh factors such as your health status, family medical history, whether you have a spouse who will collect on your record, life expectancy, and if you have additional retirement funds to rely on if you choose to delay.Waiting to collect past full retirement age (FRA)—which is age 67 for retirees born in 1960 or later—results in an 8% annual boost in benefits up to age 70. That means retirees can earn up to 124% of their benefit by delaying.For example, if your monthly benefit is $2,000 at age 67, it would be $2,480 if you waited until age 70. That would be an additional $5,760 a year.Yet waiting past FRA may not be the best strategy for everyone.In a 2024 Morningstar study, researchers found that waiting until age 70 is often a better strategy for individuals who don't need money immediately, are healthy, and, if they're no longer working, have other funds and retirement accounts they can tap while they wait until age 70 to collect.The Bottom LineRetiring with limited savings isn’t easy, but it is doable with the right planning. Start by understanding your current finances and consider creative ways to fill the gap, like part-time work, putting extra money into your 401(k) or IRA, or tapping home equity.You'll also want to be deliberate about when you collect Social Security benefits–delaying benefits can pay off, but it may not be the right option if you're in poor health or urgently need money.
FIRE vs. Micro-Retirement: Which Financial Plan Will Help You in the Long Term?

Financial independence doesn't have to follow a single path. Here's how FIRE and micro-retirement compare—and how to choose the one that fits your lifestyle.
Who Is MrBeast and How Did He Make His Fortune?

Fact checked by Vikki VelasquezKevin Mazur / Getty Images Jimmy Donaldson, also known as MrBeast, is a YouTuber who made billions.Jimmy Donaldson, known as MrBeast, is a billionaire thanks largely to his wildly popular YouTube videos. His other business ventures include a food company, an online clothing store, and Beast Games, a game show on Amazon Prime Video.Key TakeawaysJimmy Donaldson earns money from ad revenue and sponsorships from his various YouTube channels.MrBeast has over 320,000 million subscribers on his main YouTube channel and 500 million followers on social media.He gives money to charity, and this is sometimes featured in his YouTube videos.Popularity on Social MediaDonaldson has more than 500 million followers on social media and more than 320 million subscribers on his main YouTube channel, where his videos have almost 9 billion views. He is known for his stunts, such as staying in a cave for a week and living in a bunker for 100 days to win $500,000. He has a net worth of $1 billion and makes $50 million monthly from YouTube videos and other businesses.Early Days on YouTubeDonaldson started making YouTube videos in 2013 when he was just 12 years old. His original videos primarily showed live play and strategies for video games such as Minecraft and Project Zomboid. In the next few years, he began creating videos about top YouTubers at the time, including how much they made from their channels and how to get views and subscribers on YouTube videos.By 2017, Donaldson regularly uploaded the challenges and stunt videos for which he eventually became famous. His first big YouTube breakout video showed him spending 44 hours counting to 100,000 in 2017. It was viewed 21 million times. He read the dictionary in other videos and took Ubers across the country.In 2018, Donaldson started doing stunt philanthropy with his YouTube videos. In one video, he had people place their hands on a stack of $1 million. The last one to let go got the cash. He also made a YouTube video where he gave $1,000 to strangers. In another YouTube video, he adopted every dog in an animal shelter.Ventures Beyond YouTube VideosBeyond earning money from ad revenue and sponsorships for his YouTube channels, Donaldson sells clothes and other merchandise through his online shopping site. This is his second biggest source of income.In 2020, Donaldson launched MrBeast Burger with Virtual Dining Concepts. According to Donaldson, MrBeast Burger made revenue of $100 million from December 2020 to July 2022. In 2022, he launched a food company, Feastables, that sells chocolate bars and gummy candy.His game show, Beast Games, which was inspired by the Netflix hit "Squid Game" about a dystopian game show, premiered on Dec. 19, 2024, on Amazon Prime Video. In it, 1,000 contestants were competing for a $5 million prize. Beast Games had 50 million views in just 25 days. Despite the show's success with viewers, Donaldson says he lost millions doing the game show.Donaldson has donated millions to charitable organizations, including the Saint Jude Children's Research Hospital. He also donates money to homeless shelters and animal shelters.MrBeast Business ControversiesIn 2023, Donaldson filed a lawsuit against Virtual Dining Concepts for harm to his brand due to the low quality of the food offered by MrBeast Burgers and other quality control issues.According to the lawsuit, Virtual Dining Concepts focused on expansion by pitching the same concept to other celebrities rather than managing the quality of MrBeast Burgers. As a result, the brand experienced quality control issues such as late orders, unmarked packaging, orders that didn't contain the proper items, website troubles, and failure to give customers refunds. Donaldson is seeking the right to terminate the MrBeast Burger business.Also in 2023, Virtual Dining Concepts filed a countersuit against Donaldson for $100 million, claiming Donaldson failed to honor his contract and interfered in the business between Virtual Dining Concepts and MrBeast Burger. The lawsuit also claimed that Donaldson used his social media fame to encourage followers to seek other products and to disparage the MrBeast Burger.There is also controversy surrounding Beast Games. Competitors complained of unsafe working conditions on set, including a lack of food, being denied access to personal medications and hygiene products, and injuries caused by the game's physical challenges. A lawsuit filed in September 2024 accused Donaldson of creating unsafe working conditions for competitors who were aiming for the $5 million prize. The lawsuit includes allegations of sexual harassment and misrepresenting the odds of winning to competitors.The Bottom LineMrBeast, whose real name is Jimmy Donaldson, has created a $1 billion empire largely off the huge popularity of his YouTube videos. In his videos, he does a variety of stunts; in some, he gives money to charity. Through his YouTube videos, he earns money from ad revenue and sponsorships. Other business ventures include a fast food business, a clothing line, and a snack food company. His Amazon Prime game show, Beast Games, had record viewership, but Donaldson says he lost millions on the show.