Could You Retire Today If You Had Bought Amazon Stock 10 Years Ago?

Core Insights - Investing in a single stock like Amazon over a decade can yield substantial returns, but a significant initial investment is necessary for retirement [1][2] - Amazon's stock price has increased over 750% in the past ten years, with a $10,000 investment now worth approximately $85,250 [1][7] Investment Analysis - A $10,000 investment in Amazon a decade ago would result in a profit of over $75,000, which is not sufficient for retirement without a larger initial investment [1][2] - To retire comfortably based on Amazon's stock performance, a larger initial investment is required [2] Retirement Savings Guidelines - Fidelity recommends saving at least eight times one's salary by age 60 and ten times by age 67, aiming for about nine times the salary by age 65 [3][5] - The median income for full-time workers in the U.S. is approximately $62,192 annually, influencing retirement savings goals [4] Current Retirement Savings Landscape - The typical American should aim for roughly $560,000 saved by age 65, but many fall short, with average retirement savings for those aged 65 to 74 at $200,000 as of 2022 [5][6] - A more realistic retirement savings goal, based on Fidelity's recommendations and Federal Reserve data, is around $380,000 [6] Stock Performance Metrics - Amazon's stock underwent a 20-for-1 split in June 2022, with a split-adjusted closing price of $25.59 in September 2015 and $218.15 in September 2025 [7][8]