5 Things You Need to Know Before Retiring with $500,000 Saved

INVESTING
Last updated Dec. 23, 2024 | By FinanceBuzz Editors

If you have $500,000+, an unstable economy can feel like a threat to your financial security and retirement. But it doesn’t have to be. With this guide, you’ll learn straightforward moves to help you survive and thrive in an uncertain market, so you can protect your wealth and achieve your financial goals.

Take this quiz to get matched with a financial advisor to help you thrive in a recession

If your investments and retirement accounts are more than $500,000, compare up to 3 fiduciary financial advisors who serve your area and hire the pro who fits your unique needs.

A study by legendary investment firm Vanguard found that, on average, a $500,000 investment over 25 years would grow to $1.7 million if you manage it yourself, but more than $3.4 million if you enlist professional help.

Here’s how to find a financial advisor in the next five minutes:

1. Take this 5-minute retirement quiz from SmartAsset. (Yes, there are a fair amount of questions but they are all easy.)
2. Make sure you enter your zip code towards the end so you get matched with up to three financial advisors1 who serve your area.
3. Once you’ve got your matches, get a free consultation with each!

Take this retirement quiz

Earn up to $150 in cash when you shop at Amazon

There's a credit card that's making waves this holiday season. The Discover it® Cash Back(Rates and fees) card has no annual fee, and through the end of 2024, you could earn 5% cash back on up to $1,500 of Amazon.com purchases when activated.

But ... you could double that 5% cash back to 10% with a rare welcome offer: Discover will match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year. The result? You could earn up to $150 — basically from doing your holiday shopping at Amazon (which we all do anyway).

After that, earning max cash back all year is simple. You can earn 5% cash back at different places each quarter up to the quarterly maximum when you activate, including gas stations, grocery stores, and restaurants. Plus, you'll earn 1% cash back on all other purchases automatically. And remember, all of that cash back from your first year gets doubled with the welcome offer.

Accepted by 99% of merchants, if you want cash back, the Discover it® Cash Back card can help put more back in your wallet.

Annual fee: $0

Click here to apply now for the Discover it® Cash Back.

Don’t pay a CENT to contractors for home repairs until you do this

Sounds crazy. And maybe you’re not even sure if this is real. But … you’re probably curious anyway. Choice Home Warranty makes it so you might be able to save $100s in home repairs!

They’ve been around since 2008 (so you know they’re legit) and they offer affordable plans to cover appliances and systems in your home that could break down from routine wear and tear.

Think of it like this: Say your air conditioning unit breaks down during a heatwave. Instead of paying $1,500 for repairs, you may only need to pay a $100 service fee with Choice Home Warranty, and their techs come and fix it ASAP. This could save you $1,400 almost instantly!

Choose a plan here to get started. Then, whenever a covered system in your home breaks down, all you have to do is make your claim online or give them a call. Their team is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.2

Choose a plan from Choice Home Warranty here

P.S. Use the links above and you’ll get $50 off and 1 month free. We don’t know how long this will last, so take advantage of it today before it disappears.

Pay no interest on balance transfers into 2026

Imagine getting 18 months with 0% intro APR on a balance transfer. Sounds great — right? You could dramatically change your financial picture with this industry-leading card - the Citi Double Cash® Card.

If you want to kick high-interest credit card debt to the curb, this is one of the leading get-out-of-debt cards available. Transfer your high interest debt to this card with a 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 18 months. After the intro period for balance transfers, the APR is 18.49% - 28.49% (Variable). Your payments can go directly to paying down your balance without incurring a pile of additional charges. That could save you hundreds of dollars in interest!

It doesn't stop with balance transfers though. Cardholders can also earn double cash back — 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases; plus, a special travel offer, earn 5% total cash back on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked on the Citi Travel℠ portal through 12/31/25. Even better, you can redeem your cash back as direct deposit, a statement credit, or even a mailed check! You can turn your everyday purchases into cash back and make a dent in your debt, regular bills, or save for the future.

The best part? There's no annual fee with the Citi Double Cash® Card(Rates and fees).

Click here to apply now for the Citi Double Cash® Card

If your investments and retirement accounts are more than $500,000, hire a pro and compare up to 3 fiduciary financial advisors who serve your area based on your unique needs. Click your state to see if you're maximizing your retirement income.
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