Speaking to University of Pennsylvania alumni yesterday about his new publication “Future for Investors”, Wharton Professor Jeremy Siegel explained the importance to the United States that the economies of China, India and other developing coutnries continue to prosper. In 1950, there were seven workers for every retiree in the United States; by 2050, there is projected to be less than two U.S. workers for every retiree. For Americans to be able to retire at 65 or less, the Indian and Chinese economies must continue to prosper, so they can provide goods in exchange for U.S. monetary assets. U.S. equities have provided a historical real return of 6.5 to 7%. Professor Siegel projects that even with the surge of retirements between now and 2050, US stocks should still provide a 5.5 to 6% annual real return.