Advising my kids, I would suggest that, long term, equities offer the best hope of building a comfortable and early retirement. Having said that, I don't think of myself at 65 as having a "long-term" any more. There have been a few 30 year near-sideways markets (looks to me like we just might be in one). Still, equities are just about the only game in town for the CHANCE of long term growth.
My "solution" to the problem was to over-prepare for ER and have backups (to my backups) e.g., delay SS to 70 and "invest" in LTC insurance, etc., etc.. YMMV