>>...we cannot always count on higher interest rates

Agreed, but they've become more likely.

Consider that many of us in the 'Boomer' age group are also similarly pulling our investments from the market and putting them in places where they won't lose value. We're not a small group, so that's a lot of money moving from where it was seeking as much return as possible to cash-like things. I read that as something that means interest rates now are about as low as they're going to go in the next decade.

About our only saving grace is the one-percenters who don't need to pull everything out.

That said, this is nicely laid out. Although I think many of the people retiring are doing so as couples, so it's two SS incomes, and even if one partner was not working, they're still entitled to 50% of what their 'vested' partner receives. So maybe $2259.50 times one point five - but for two people.

I hadn't even considered annuities, had no idea there were ones that offered enhanced benefits for LTC expenses. Looking forward to your articles on those. :-)