Comfortable retirement a fading dream for many

Ruth Britton enjoys her part-time work as a college instructor. But, at 69, there are plenty of other things the Greenbrae resident would like to do – volunteer, write, take classes, travel.

The problem is, with the cost of living rising and the value of her investments falling, Britton can’t do without the money she gets from teaching. She’s already put off retirement several years. Now, she says she may have to stay on the job four or five years more.

"When someone asked me a few years ago when I would like to retire, I said 68, and here I am going on 70," Britton said.

For more Americans, the dream of a comfortable retirement is fading.

Sam Zuckerman, Chronicle Staff Writer

Full Story: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/06/16/MNFK112ELJ.DTL