Inflation is the killer. Im getting ready to retire, so have been burning up the calculator checking different scenarios. Everything looks great for the first 15 years or so. Then, inflation starts to bend the curve to the point where 20 to 30 years out you need double or triple the income just to maintain the same purchasing power. Its incredibly difficult to stay ahead of inflation.
By design.
You will receive cost of living increases with SS... suppose to offset inflation. But the basket of goods they use to to determine the increase contains things older Americans don’t spend their money on... also it’s only adjusted once a year.