Originally Posted by Seneca Pilot

Because the S&P doesn't just give 10%. If you were lucky enough to retire in 2008 you took a hit that took years to recover from if you were brave enough to not liquidate. In the mean time your income took a huge hit due to the lower values in your portfolio. If you were trading options or futures and taking advantage of the down move you gained and your income rose.



Don't fall for Buffet's BS. He actively trades stocks, sells mountains of puts and calls, trades in warrants and bonds, and buys entire single companies. If you think he would have his many billions if he just bought an index fund and went to sleep for seven decades you're nuts.