At 71 With $152K Saved, Should You Still Be Working?
A 71-year-old earning $108K annually questions whether continuing to work makes sense with $152K in retirement accounts.
Here's the uncomfortable truth: $152,000 in combined IRA and Roth accounts at age 71 is thin. For context, most retirement planners benchmark a comfortable retirement at 10–25 times your annual expenses. If you're spending anywhere near what a $108,000 salary supports, that nest egg alone won't carry you far.
The good news? You're still earning. A $108K income at 71 is a serious asset — one most retirees would kill for. Every year you keep collecting a paycheck is a year your retirement accounts can grow untouched, and a year you can delay tapping Social Security if you haven't already maxed that benefit out.
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The real question isn't whether working is "right" — it's whether you have a plan. Are you aggressively contributing to that Roth? At 71, Roth conversions and continued contributions (if you have earned income) can still make a meaningful dent. Tax-free growth matters more the older you get, because your window to spend it is defined.
The risk here is assuming the paycheck will always be there. Health, layoffs, and burnout don't check your retirement balance before showing up. Working at 71 is a strength right now — but it needs to fund a backup plan, not replace one.
Bottom line: keep working if you love it or need it, but treat this season as your final loading window. Maximize contributions, minimize lifestyle inflation, and get a fee-only advisor to stress-test your numbers before the paycheck stops. Continue reading at MarketWatch.com.
