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St. George, Utah, raises the retirement savings bar for future retirees
Retiring at 62 instead of 67 is estimated to cut Social Security by about 30%, increasing the liquid portfolio target to roughly $1.1 million versus $525,000 at age 65.
Retirement-planning analysis from Yahoo Finance says St. George, Utah, has continued to stand out as a fast-growing retirement destination, but the local cost picture can materially change how much liquid wealth people need before they stop working.
The piece estimates that a typical retirement at 65 with a fully paid-off home requires about $525,000 in invested assets, using assumptions including a 4% withdrawal rate and full Social Security. It also estimates that retiring at 62 instead of 67 shrinks Social Security by about 30% and pushes the required liquid portfolio to around $1.1 million.
The analysis attributes some of St. George's affordability pressure to growth-metro pricing driven by steady in-migration and a retiree-heavy buyer pool, noting that median sale prices in mid-2026 have been in the high five figures for entry-level homes. It contrasts that with the national home price trajectory shown by the Case-Shiller National Home Price Index reading of 335.1 in May 2026.
Yahoo Finance also highlights a tax mechanic that can affect retirement income planning, saying Utah has a flat tax on retirement income while Medicare IRMAA surcharges can raise the effective marginal rate on large Roth conversions, which the article frames as potentially approaching a 40% rate under certain circumstances. The analysis adds that the portfolio targets depend on factors such as medical reserves and major repairs, and says the right next step is to map a retirement timeline based on current savings and spending assumptions.