Richard Drechsler, 77, is comfortable in his retirement.

The Vietnam War veteran said he has paid off the mortgage on his home in West Babylon. He collects veterans disability compensation each month and earns a pension from a phone company he worked at through his mid-50s.

“I have a comfortable lifestyle and a roof over my head,” Drechsler said. “All I do is pay my taxes and insurance.”

Not every retiree is as fortunate. Many seniors on Long Island and across the state are outliving their savings and struggling with affordability amid rising inflation.

WHAT NEWSDAY FOUND

The average New Yorker outlives their retirement funds, falling nearly half a million dollars short of the $1.12 million needed to cover expected expenses, according to a recent survey from Seniorly .

On Long Isl

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