I hope this isn't news to you  

Numbers. At current interest rates on so called safe investments, you can expect 2% annual returns. $1,000,000.00 in bonds at 2% will yield $20,000.00 yearly. That's not even $2,000.00 per month income. You might be able to add a bit of social security to that, if it is still solvent when you try to collect. Maybe you even have some military retirement to add to the mix. Unless you are debt free, and can avoid debt in retirement, you will have some very tough sledding. It will be no picnic even if you are debt free. My Step Father is subsiding in an urban area in the northeast on $1,000.00 per month. Good luck everybody.