You don't have to be rich to be happy in retirement

Do you really need 70% of your pre-retirement income after you leave employment? A study by mutual fund company T. Rowe Price found that retirees who had invested and planned (all had rollover IRAs or 401k balances) reported happily living on 65% of pre-retirement income. “Of those surveyed, 89% were between somewhat and very satisfied with their retirement so far, and 85% found they could be satisfied spending less then they did before retiring.” Fully “65% said they found a new freedom in not trying to keep up with the Joneses.” “There's no question that many working-age Americans should be living more frugally to put more aside for later years, and that many will have to trim their spending quite severely to make it through a long retirement. Strategies such as delaying the start of Social Security and working longer make sense for many, if not most.” But it’s good to know you don’t have to be rich to be happy. Details at: http://www.thestreet.com/story/12830583/1/what-the-surveys-dont-say-about-your-retirement-income-needs.html
On the same theme, Phillip Moeller writes that "feeling secure about your future, not being exposed to investment risks you consider excessive, satisfying your concerns and goals for the legacy you wish to leave behind, and, when all is said and done, feeling you’ve run the best race of your life," is essential to long term happiness. Read his 9 Steps to a Successful Retirement Plan: http://time.com/money/3082560/retirement-plan-9-steps-to-success/