[joe_the_user]

I don't know the history of Australian interest rates but the only time US interest rates were at that level was during the inflationary times of the 70's.

This link says current interest rates are 3.5%. [1]

[1] http://www.infochoice.com.au/banking/savings-account/high-in...

Long term US stock market returns seem to be something like 10% but those definitely have significant risks involved, even for index funds[2].

[2] http://observationsandnotes.blogspot.com/2009/03/average-ann...