I think retirement is a pipe dream...
One option is outside the U.S.
This is the only answer .
Unless you are independently wealthy, or expecting a very large family inheritance - i dont see how very many people can retire IN AMERICA and live very well at all .. There are plenty of countries where your money goes 5-10 times further than in the U.S. (esp now with the incredibly strong US dollar).. and there are hundreds of thousands of US citizens living very comfortably in these countries on just a monthly SS check…. i realize this isn’t an option for everyone- but as for me, im late 40s and just dont think i have another 15 or 20 yrs of work mentality left in me .. so ill be looking to escape to one of these LCOL countries in relatively short order .
And for those who are afraid they might get bored in retirement , or are scared of becoming idle- i have always heard that there are two types of retirees- 1) Those who can’t stand not feeling ‘useful’ and wind up returning to the workforce, or starting another business and 2) the type of retiree who says ‘Im so busy in retirement, i don’t know how i ever found time to hold down a full-time job’.. i know beyond the shadow of any doubt that i will be the second type.. i already have lots going on , and have trouble squeezing work in between the stuff I want to do lol .