Retiring in 1966: $1M grew to $10.9M on a 3% withdrawal

Retiring in 1966 with $1M and a 3% inflation-adjusted withdrawal, the portfolio grew to $10.9M after 50 years. Its worst year was 2008, when the S&P 500 lost 35.2% including dividends. 1966 began a 16-year stretch in which stocks went nowhere while inflation climbed into double digits, which is why it is the classic stress test for the 4% rule.