# Missouri Retiree Hits $1 Million at 52

> A Missouri retiree built $1 million with modest state government salary.
- Title: Missouri Retiree Hits $1 Million at 52 · Kiplinger | Shortify
- Summary: A Missouri retiree built $1 million with modest state government salary. A 62-year-old Missouri retiree reached $1 million through consistent IRA…
- Keywords: missouri, retiree, ira, investments, state government, financial planning, millionaire, retirement, Kiplinger
- Source: Kiplinger — https://kiplinger.com/personal-finance/my-first-million-78-retiree-jefferson-city-missouri
- Published: 2026-11-07T16:00:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: missouri, retiree, ira, investments, state government, financial planning, millionaire, retirement
## Who is the retiree?
A married 62-year-old retiree in Jefferson City, Missouri.
## What was his job?
He retired from a state government job as a program manager.
## What was his salary?
His salary range was $60,000 to $70,000.
## How did he build his wealth?
He maximized annual IRA contributions and state employee deferred-compensation plan.
## What investments did he use?
He invested all in low-cost equity mutual funds.
## What was his return?
His annual return was about 9.5% over 30 years.
## When did he hit $1 million?
He reached the million mark about 10 years ago.
## What is he doing with the money?
He continues with same investments and takes occasional vacations.
## Key takeaway

A 62-year-old Missouri retiree reached $1 million through consistent IRA contributions and low-cost investments.