 We look at Bob and we say Bob retired in the early 2010, around 2010. He had a half a million dollars in savings. And after determining the amount of Social Security that he and his wife would receive together, Bob concluded he would need to generate an additional $17,000 a year in income to live the lifestyle he and his wife desired. That doesn't sound like that tough a task, right? Well, seeking that additional retirement income, Bob used his half a million dollars to purchase 10-year bonds.