How a Taiwanese Immigrant Who Worked at Walmart Retired at 87 with $2M

A MarketWatch profile of an unnamed Taiwanese immigrant offers a striking example of how modest wages, steady habits and time can build substantial wealth. According to the report, she worked for many years at Walmart earning minimum wage, cared for a disabled son, owned two houses and ultimately retired at age 87 with roughly $2 million in assets.

The story underscores several factors that likely contributed to her financial outcome, without claiming specifics beyond the published account. Homeownership appears central: owning two properties can create substantial equity over decades through mortgage paydown and real estate appreciation. Even when wages are low, having durable assets such as paid-off houses reduces living costs and can generate rental income or capital to fund retirement.

Equally important is the power of long time horizons. Decades of compound growth — whether from savings invested in conservative accounts, dividend-paying assets, or the rising value of property — can magnify small, regular contributions into significant sums. Frugality and disciplined saving habits, common in many immigrant households, often mean prioritizing essentials, avoiding high consumer debt, and redirecting resources into assets rather than short-term consumption.

Caregiving responsibilities also shape financial choices. The woman’s role supporting a disabled son may have influenced housing decisions, eligibility for benefits, or eligibility for certain assistance programs, all of which affect household finances. Social safety nets like Social Security, disability benefits, or targeted assistance can supplement income in older age, even when lifetime earnings were relatively low.

Lessons from this profile are practical rather than prescriptive. First, homeownership and reducing housing costs can be a cornerstone of long-term financial security. Second, sustained saving—even modest amounts—combined with time, can produce outsized results. Third, nonfinancial factors such as family responsibilities and access to community resources matter when evaluating retirement outcomes.

The MarketWatch anecdote is not a blueprint guaranteed to deliver similar results for everyone, but it is a useful reminder: stable habits, ownership of appreciating assets, and a long investment horizon can transform limited earnings into a comfortable retirement.