A $3 million portfolio withdrawing at 4% generates $120,000 per year. Pair that with maximum Social Security for a couple claiming at 70, which runs about $4,873 per month combined, or $58,476 annually, and total pre-tax household income reaches $178,476.
Under 2026 federal tax brackets for joint filers (10% up to $24,550, 12% to $100,525, 22% to $197,300), the effective tax rate on that income lands at roughly 14%. That leaves approximately $153,500 per year, or $12,790 per month, to spend.
