Sorry, retirees — the 4% rule won't work for you if Vanguard is right about where the stock market is headed

Core Viewpoint - A prolonged period of low stock returns, referred to as a "lost decade," poses significant challenges for older investors, particularly those relying on investment income for retirement [1] Group 1: Impact on Older Investors - Older investors are particularly vulnerable to the effects of low stock returns, as they may have limited time to recover from market downturns [1] - The article highlights that a decade of stagnant returns can severely diminish retirement savings, leading to financial insecurity for retirees [1] Group 2: Market Performance - The stock market has experienced a prolonged period of low returns, which is characterized as a "lost decade" for investors [1] - Historical data indicates that the average annual return for stocks has been significantly lower than historical averages, impacting overall investment growth [1]