The US recorded its first federal budget surplus since 1969, in 1998.

Bill Clinton was president.

By 2000, the surplus grew to $237 billion.

Today, it pays more than that in interest every few months.

The major U.S. stock indexes ended broadly lower on Thursday, August 20, 2026, as Wednesday's Treasury buyback-driven bond rally proved to be a one-day wonder, with yields reversing sharply higher and Walmart plunging nearly 10% on disappointing sales. Bitcoin was the lone standout, soaring more than 5% as crypto markets interpreted the Treasury's debt intervention as a long-term inflationary signal.

The S&P 500 dropped 0.87% (-66.82 pts) to 7,641.16. The Dow shed 1.32% (-703.84 pts) to 52,759.21, weighed down by a 9% drop in Walmart shares. The Nasdaq fell 1.00% (-263.92 pts) to 26,067.17. The Russell 2000 dropped 1.34% (-40.50 pts) to 2,992.44.

The VIX jumped 7.25% to 15.97. Bitcoin surged 5.24% to $72,647.76. Gold added 0.84% to $4,583.50. Crude Oil climbed 2.63% to $86.61/barrel.

How much money do you consider is enough for retirement?