Can You Retire on an S&P 500 Index Fund?

Group 1 - The S&P 500 index fund is a viable option for retirement investment as it provides access to a diverse range of large publicly traded U.S. companies [3] - Investing $500 monthly in an S&P 500 index fund with an 8% annual return could yield over $1.5 million in 40 years, making it a reasonable choice for those who prefer not to select individual stocks [4] - While an S&P 500 index fund may not outperform the market, it offers simplicity and can still provide satisfactory returns over time [5][8] Group 2 - As retirement approaches, it is advisable not to have the entire portfolio invested in an S&P 500 index fund due to market volatility [6] - A suggested strategy is to allocate about half of the portfolio to an S&P 500 index fund and the other half to cash and bonds, or to consider dividend stocks or ETFs for income generation [7] - Adjusting investment strategies as retirement nears is crucial to mitigate risks associated with market fluctuations [8]