How much you REALLY need to retire!

from the Fool.com

See if you can answer these retirement questions (answers are at the bottom of this page):

1. From 1926 to 2005, the S&P 500 returned an annual compound average of 10.4%, according to Ibbotson Associates. In how many of those 79 years did the stock market post a return between 10.0% and 10.9%?
2. How much after-tax wealth can you add to your portfolio by knowing which assets to put in your retirement accounts and which to keep out? A) 5% B) 10% C) 15% D) 20% ?
3. What percentage of workers have calculated how much they need to save for retirement?
4. At the age of 65, males have a 5% chance of reaching age 95; females have a 13% chance. What chance is there that one member of a married couple will reach age 95?
5. The average consumer in the 45-to-54 age group spends how much in relation to the average consumer in the 75-and-over age group? A) About two-thirds as much B) About the same C) About twice as much D) About three times as much?
6. What is the average annual Social Security retirement benefit?
7. Last year, a court ruled that a 61-year-old disabled man will not inherit his deceased wife's $1 million pension. Why not?
8. What percentage of households headed by people age 45 or older have a net worth of less than $25,000, excluding home equity?

With a few adjustments to your investments, estate planning, and tax planning, you can greatly increase your capital in just five years.

• You can reduce your taxes dramatically, whether you're retired now or just planning for retirement.
• You can help ensure that you have extra money for vacations every year. Maybe a second home. Or early retirement with a comfortable, steady income.
• Even if you haven't put away your first penny toward retirement but you're already dreaming of hanging up the business suit for good, you can still retire in comfort. in 11 years by following a simple plan we've devised.

Answers to Questions above

1. Just once - In 2004, the stock market returned 10.8%.
2. 15%
3. 42%
4. 18%
5. About three times as much
6. $11,508
7. Because the wife completed the beneficiary form 27 years ago when she was single, designating her sister as the person who would receive the money, and she didn't update the form after she got married 19 years ago.
8. About 40%