We were on the right track to retirement, with a pension, a 401K, and guaranteed comprehensive health insurance until medicare kicked in. Needed just a few improvements on the house so that in 2 years we could sell it and move to our retirement in the Villages. Then the company eliminated the department. Two years too young for Social Security, AND since the job no longer existed, the health insurance was eliminated as well.
Unexpected things out of your control can happen at any age, at any income level. You think everything is going great, you're THIS CLOSE to not having to ever work again, and BOOM. You're forced to sell and move to a less-perfect house, two years too early, without the income generated to cover the expense, the bills are piling up, and your life's savings is dwindling one month at a time.
Don't assume that everyone can save up for the future. You can try. And you should try. But there's no guarantee that you'll make it far enough to be able to say "I'm retired." The concept can be ripped from you in a single company letter to the employees.
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