The coming elderly crisis of 2040, perhaps earlier

[Hugabear]

I'm just curious, what's going to happen when people 40 and under begin retiring over the next few decades? Many jobs no longer offer pension plans, and the idea of relying on Social Security doesn't seem very reasonable. Yes there are 401-K and IRA plans, but many jobs don't even offer those, or people don't really earn enough to be able to contribute anything really meaningful. Many of us won't be able to rely on our children or families, they'll have their own problems. With health care costs skyrocketing, energy costs going up, etc it seems like many elderly people will be pretty screwed. I know that I'm personally dreading the future, wondering just what the hell I'm going to do once I'm at that point.

[villager]

1. hopefully by then, at least some of the 5-6 separate countries the US will devolve into

...will be kind to their elderly...

[47of74]

4. And hopefully by then I'll be far away from here.

I would leave tomorrow if I could.

[Skittles]

2. it's the new America

repukes will get what they always wanted - the few very very rich and the masses of poor

[Radical Activist]

3. Climate change will happen.

Since the US Senate and world community can't take action it really won't matter anyway. A pension plan doesn't do much good when a catastrophic natural disaster wipes out your house, town, and the company paying for your retirement.

[Trajan]

5. Hey ... Dont worry about it !

That's 30 years down the road ... I've got mine, ... FUCK EVERYONE ELSE ! ...

Yeah ... that was pure sarcasm, but not unlike the thinking I hear from numbskull rightists I happen to know ...

Me ? ... I spent all my 401K savings .... 50,000 down the drain ...

I do have a defined benefit pension plan with a large aerospace corporation with 24 years vested .... I should be able to rent a small shack to live out my days in relative squalor ....

I consider myself very lucky ... Until, of course, they unilaterally kill the pension plan ....

I fear for the future .... But I have to say : How many of those who will be hurting voted every election cycle for the conservatives ?

[Subdivisions]

6. In 2037 U.S. oil production will be below 1 million barrels per day. Also,

by 2037, U.S. imports of oil from other countries will be negligible, with none of it reaching the people.

Long before then there will be pain and suffering, including for the very weak, sick, and elderly.

2040? Not a chance.

[Lasher]

7. I will probably be OK but I worry about this for the sake of others.

Part of the problem is people aren't trying hard enough to save for retirement. Many people don't make enough to contribute to their 401(k) but they have money to buy the next shiny new thing like an iPhone.

The most important thing right now is to protect Social Security. It cannot be relied upon for everything you need in retirement but it is a critical component. I am so disillusioned to see so many elected officials determined to wreck it.