Actually, Cliff, I am a year older than you. (Old picture, I really should update it.) And I live in the SF Bay Area, also one of the highest cost-of-living spots on the planet. I see that you are upset about the overall tax rate, not just the proposed 70% rate for income over $1M. If you are earning $1M, I have no sympathy for you. If you are earning less than $1M, then it does not affect you. I’m sorry you do not enjoy your work, and that you did not save for retirement over your career. Life choices, eh? But then, I did make one life choice that you probably did not make, and it really helps as to saving for retirement: I have no kids! Anyway, I am sympathetic to your worries about funding retirement. I’m pretty well set, but I worry too. Who knows what the next crash will do to my savings? Who knows what global warming will do to me … and you? The future is surely uncertain and it does not look great.