The U.S. Government defines "financial independence" as a meager $36,000 per year taxable income! If you can live comfortably on that, more power to you! The fact is 95% of potential 65 year olds, in the U.S., are dead, or dead broke. They didn't plan for their lives to end up that way. They just failed to plan! The time for you to make an honest assessment of your current situation is NOW! If you are not in the 1% wealthy segment, go visit a Big Box chain store greeter to say "Hello" to your future!