• The iShares Treasury Bond ETF (TLT) dropped 31% over the past decade while the S&P 500 (SPY) gained 193.89%.

  • TLT suffered as 10-year Treasury yields climbed from 2% to 4.30%. Conservative portfolios struggle to maintain purchasing power through inflation.

  • Morningstar recommends a 3.9% withdrawal rate for today’s retirees. This provides $39,000 annually from a $1M portfolio.

  • Investors rethink ‘hands off’ investing and decide to start making real money

Retiring at 62 with $1 million sounds comfortable, but the financial landscape has shifted dramatically over the past decade. What worked in 2016 faces different challenges today, from inflation to interest rate swings to healthcare costs before Medicare.

  • Age: 62 (earliest Social Security claiming age)

  • Portfolio: $1 million in retirement savings

  • Gap years: 3 years until Medicare eligibility at 65

  • Social Security penalty: 30% permanent reduction for claiming at 62 vs. full retirement age of 67

  • Key concern: Making savings last 25-30 years amid higher costs

On Reddit’s financial independence forum, one user noted the difference between retiring at 42 with $1.26 million versus 62 with the same amount, highlighting concerns about bridging the gap to Social Security and Medicare while preserving capital.

According to Bureau of Labor Statistics data, $1 in 2016 now requires $1.35 to buy the same goods in 2026—35% cumulative inflation over a decade.

For a retiree following the traditional 4% withdrawal rule, a $40,000 annual withdrawal from $1 million today has the purchasing power of just $29,630 in 2016 dollars.

An infographic titled 'Retiring at 62 With $1M: The New Reality' on a dark background. The top section, 'Central Issue: Purchasing Power Erosion,' shows a stack of cash representing $40,000 in 2016 decreasing to $29,630 in 2026 due to 35% cumulative inflation, indicating $1 million buys significantly less. The middle section, 'Main Factors: Market & Rates (10-Year View),' displays three colored boxes: a red box with a down arrow for Bonds (TLT ETF) showing a -31% price decline; a blue box with an up arrow for Interest Rates (10-YR TREASURY) showing a 4.30% yield today, significantly higher than ten years ago; and a green box with an up arrow for Stocks (S&P 500) showing a +193.89% total return. The 'Retirement Gaps (At Age 62)' section has two yellow boxes: one with a plus icon for Healthcare (Medicare Gap) noting a 3-year wait until 65 and $800-$1,200/month private insurance costs; and another with a clock icon for Social Security (Early Claim) noting a 30% permanent penalty. The bottom section, 'Solution for Investors,' lists three recommendations with green checkmarks: 'WORK PART-TIME (BRIDGE MEDICARE GAP),' 'USE 3.9% WITHDRAWAL RATE,' and 'MAINTAIN EQUITY EXPOSURE.' 24/7 Wall St. · 24/7 Wall St.

This infographic illustrates the significant financial challenges of retiring at 62 with $1 million in 2026, highlighting purchasing power erosion and retirement gaps. It also provides actionable solutions for investors to navigate these realities.

Morningstar analysts now recommend a 3.9% starting withdrawal rate for today’s retirees, translating to $39,000 annually from a $1 million portfolio rather than $40,000.

 

Ten years ago, the 10-year Treasury yielded around 2%. Today it sits at 4.30%. While higher yields benefit income-focused retirees, the transition hurt existing bondholders.

The iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF (TLT) dropped 31% over the past decade as rates climbed. The S&P 500 gained 193.89% during the same period, highlighting the cost of being too conservative too early.

 

At 62, you’re potentially funding 30 years of retirement without Medicare or full Social Security benefits.

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Healthcare represents the most immediate concern. Medicare Part B costs $202.90 monthly in 2026, but private insurance for a 62-year-old can easily run $800-$1,200 monthly depending on location and health status. That’s $9,600-$14,400 annually before deductibles or out-of-pocket costs.

Claiming Social Security at 62 triggers a permanent 30% reduction. For someone entitled to $1,000 monthly at full retirement age, early claiming means accepting $700 instead – $90,000 in forgone benefits over 25 years.

Working part-time until 65 eliminates the healthcare coverage gap and allows Social Security benefits to grow 8% annually until age 67. Even modest earnings of $20,000-$30,000 yearly can substantially reduce portfolio withdrawals during critical early retirement years.

For those stopping work at 62, prioritize tax-efficient withdrawal sequencing. Tap taxable accounts first while allowing tax-deferred accounts to grow, keeping taxable income lower and potentially qualifying for Affordable Care Act subsidies.

Maintain equity exposure despite volatility concerns. A 60/40 stock/bond allocation historically supports longer retirement horizons better than conservative portfolios that can’t outpace inflation.

Calculate your true annual spending need, including healthcare. If it exceeds $39,000-$40,000 from your portfolio alone, consider delaying retirement or building additional income sources. Run projections assuming 3% annual inflation rather than the historical 2% average.

Avoid going too conservative with investments at 62. You likely have three decades ahead, and a portfolio that can’t grow above inflation will steadily lose purchasing power.

For more than a decade, the investing advice aimed at everyday Americans followed a familiar script: automate everything, keep costs low, and don’t touch a thing. And increasingly, investors are realizing that being completely hands-off also means being completely disengaged.

That realization hits like a lightning bolt when you realize not just how much better your returns could be, but that there are amazing offers like one app where new self-directed investing accounts funded with as little as $50 can receive stock worth up to $1,000.

Take back your investing and start earning real returns, your way.