Retiring in 1973: $1M grew to $9.7M on a 3.5% withdrawal

Retiring in 1973 with $1M and a 3.5% inflation-adjusted withdrawal, the portfolio grew to $9.7M after 50 years. Its worst year was 2008, when the S&P 500 lost 35.2% including dividends. The 1973 oil embargo and the 1973-74 bear market cut the S&P 500 nearly in half, while inflation pushed withdrawals up fast.