Everyone can still be screwed at the same time you're OK. Unless you're implying you're just average median dude. Some experiments can be run in a spreadsheet

Everyone can still be screwed at the same time you're OK. Unless you're implying you're just average median dude. Some experiments can be run in a spreadsheet. I assumed 40 years of work (optimistic) and google reports a median personal income of 32140/yr and average savings rate of 3.2%. Shadowstats reports an average inflation rate around 5%, thats sounds about right. The S+P 500 total return over the last half century has been 7% but it oscillates insanely from -5 to +17 percent per decade. I think it very unrealistic to assume the 50s or 90s will ever happen again, but whatever, I feel optimistic this morning. I modeled in a 1% annual decline in income, which is lower than actual but sounds vaguely realistic. My spreadsheet model shows an inflation adjusted retirement nest egg of $51K for joe 6 pack median middle class dude assuming its never dipped into for medical, educational, or unemployment issues for J6P or his kids or parents (in other words almost everyone will not have the money). I'm also assuming smooth economic growth (LOL) for best compounding results. It still affects you as most investment advisors assume 0% inflation, 10% rates of economic growth, etc. In a world of poverty for almost everyone, that sounds rather optimistic. Some other interesting experiments... 15% annual growth rate still only gets joe 6 pack to about 10% of your goal. Joe6Pack at 1% annual wage increase (which is totally unrealistic in era of long term decline) and 15% annual economic growth rate (LOL) and triple the median savings rate at 10% of gross income being saved for 40 years and no unemployment, medical issues, or educational costs for J6P or his parents or kids (LOL) is still only about 1/3 of your goal.