Be like my old lady neighbor who switched from growing African violets to pot.
Not joking. She had a couple million in cash when arrested.
4% has been around a long time. It is worshipped far too much.
So let’s look at negative scenarios.
1) A market crash of 65%. That does not come back. How can that be? $40T in debt and 7% interest on it because 8% inflation that doesn’t end . . . because no electric motors because the Chinese cut off neodymium.
2) Soc Sec rules are changed. “No, we will not be cutting your benefits!!” Small print . . . but we won’t be doing full inflation adjustments anymore because we can’t solve $40T debt if we allow anyone to quote 8% inflation in their adjustment.
3) Paid up house? You gotta move into assisted living. There are no buyers. So reverse mortgage.
There. Fear mongering? No more so than sunny skies mongering.