Most people will choose to retire at some point in their life. If a person has enough savings to fund the lifestyle that they desire, retirement can be a wonderful experience. However, retirement is not something that can be sufficiently planned for over just a few years. It is often necessary to begin setting aside money for retirement early and earning a strong return on that investment. Simply earning 2% on a portfolio of treasuries and other low-yield securities may not generate sufficient income or total return to achieve the savings and cash flow necessary