 How much will a million dollars last you in retirement in the state of Alabama? A million? If you have a million dollars in retirement fund, how long will it last you? I would say 20 years. You're right on it. 19 years, it says here. Much longer than a lot of places. They say that you need to have about 1.9 stashed away to be on the average in America to live 20 more years without having to worry about money after retirement.