Let's say a particular trade results in a 10 percent return.

Over the past 12 months, however, its 54.8 percent return has been about average.

But that was still down from the 12.7 percent return of 2004.

These days, such policies offer a return of 8 or 9 percent for the first year.

Social Security now offers workers a return of less than 2 percent on the money they pay into the system.

But that gives you a return of just 6 or 7 percent.

Today, people putting their money in get a 1 to 2 percent return.

The next year, 2004, strong performance continued with a 23.8 percent return.

If you get a 10 percent return, you'd have a total of $244,692.

That works out to an annual return of about 14 percent.