Doucy asks,

I've been trying to get beyond the rote allocations and one-size-fits-all advice one gets from the calculators that are commonplace on the Web & investment company retirement info packets. I'm looking for something more insightful. As usual, my first instinct is to scour the Fool for insight & common sense, perhaps a nice essay or two. I'm having a hard time finding such. And, much as I've enjoyed scanning this board, I can't really see myself having the patience to click back through all the postings here, most of which are not on point with my burning question, just to find a couple of pearls.

Anybody know where I can find what I need, preferably without having to leave the comfort of my own computer (though a library visit isn't out of the question)?

You might try the Retire Early Study on Safe Withdrawal Rates, see link:

http://www.geocities.com/WallStreet/8257/restud1.html

The study found the "efficient frontier" for portfolios with 10 to 50 year pay out periods as follows:

Pay Out Period
    Years       % Stock      % Fixed Income 

     50            82%            18%
     40            77%            23%
     30            71%            29%
     20            66%            34%
     10            44%            54%

Portfolios invested at the 'efficient frontier' allow for the highest "100% safe" withdrawal rate.

If your mother is near 80, I suspect a reasonable assumption would be a minimum of a 20 year pay out period.

intercst