Originally Posted by
USMCFLYR
I'm not sure where anyone is getting that $30k/yr isn't a retirement.
You may not be able to live on it at the same level of comfort that the person currently enjoys - but that can be said for many retirements! It is certainly feasible that the retirement pays the mortgage and a car payment every month (depending on your tastes obviously!)
$30,000 per year plus combined with spouses social security (probably about $33,000 per year for both husband and wife) is an ok retirement, better than SS alone which in 20 years is all most people will have to live on. Very few companies anywhere are paying a pension.
Then there is your 401k etc.. roll that into an annuity for guaranteed for life monthly payments.