Emphasis was appropriately placed on fees and taxes, too… as these headwinds will,lower the rates above even more as you pointed out. In order to evaluate returns on this type of investment, you have to understand the difference in the level of risk you take when investing in a stock versus investing in a stock index fund. Does that something have to be the stock market? But if you do use the stock market, proceed cautiously with reasonable expectations. That guy is right. Article Table of Contents Skip to section Expand.