Inflation is one of the main threats to achieving a successful retirement, yet it is often overlooked by those who are planning for the future. Inflation is defined as an increase in the cost of goods and services over time, and is caused by a variety of factors that can vary from economy to economy. If an individual has a long-term retirement plan, the effects of inflation can be seriously detrimental to the success of those plans. Inflation can have a decimating effect on retirement portfolios, as the extra costs of goods and services across different industries can begin to add up over time. As a result, individuals may have difficulty achieving the same level of retirement income they may have enjoyed in the past due to the erosion of purchasing power associated with inflation. This can often result in retirees having to work longer or cut back on the quality and quantity of goods they purchase in order to meet their retirement needs. Inflation also has a profound effect on the inv...