Well over $100k in the higher cost of living states, too. And as the article states, that’s typically about double what the median salary is for a single person in most states.
I’d like to point out that AES states - while maybe they didn’t have all the same quality or quantity of consumer goods - were able to able to to provide a comfortable life for everyone without all the predatory that US workers currently have. And don’t take my word for it, take it from the neoliberal queen herself, Angela Merkel. When asked about life in the former GDR, she described it as “almost comfortable”. Now before you mention that “almost” is an important qualifier, note that the context of her quote was her trying to criticize the former GDR but she grudgingly conceded the comment above.
Yeah, I guess so. That said, do you really need as much as most places say for retirement? if you have $500,000 inflation adjusted dollars they say that’s destitute, but by that point in your life you will own a home full of stuff already. Sure, Healthcare becomes more expensive, but it doesn’t sound that deprived if you’re content not leaving any inheritance.
Needing healthcare or someone to care for you when you’re unable to care for yourself will probably clear you out pretty quick. Maybe will be merciful, but who knows.