times when the markets are calm. when they are as volatile as they have been lately, it can seem downright impossible, especially if you are a retiree trying to live off of what you have put away. >> we put everybody's birthdays and anniversaries. >> reporter: for joe and dolores boyer of winter haven, florida, it wasn't supposed to be this way. >> the money that i retired with, i thought i could live forever. >> reporter: once they were able to afford to travel. now they stick close to home. >> the money isn't coming in like it used to, but it is going out a lot faster. >> reporter: as for the savings, the returns are frustrating. >> i think it's about .7 of 1%. >> reporter: tens of millions of retired americans share their pain. many feel it doesn't pay to save. the dow jones industrial average now sits 16% below its high for the year. home prices down 32% since 2005. t-bills pay less than .1% and the staple for savers, the