Just from the perspective of the average middle age middle income/class American these days. The social security plans everyone paid into throughout their lives is no longer enough to live on so we are basically forced into other means if we ever want to ever earn enough passive income to afford not to work. 3 of the most common means are retirement funds investing in the stock market, real estate, bond investing.

I think its fair to say alot of people have skepticism of the stock market and that may even be warranted to an extent. So the people that don't participate are buying additional properties putting stress on the supply side of homes for rental income. Blackrock and other investment institutions have also entered the game along with people wanting a primary residence. The housing market gotten so costly the average american will be a mortgage slave now more than ever with housing making up a crazy amount of their budgets, they likely will not be able to fund retirement in any aspect. This has gotten so out of hand that renting an apartment is the only place people can go, and even thats not safe as we have witnessed rents go up by crazy percentages potentially even causing some workers to miss out on one of the most vital aspects, shelter. This could cause alot of problems going forward.


Now lets talk about people that are luckily able to afford shelter AND have enough income to invest in a retirement plan. The stock market works in such a way that companies are rewarded for always maximizing profit and share prices are punished otherwise. So alot of companies find the best way to earn more profit is to outsource to cheaper countries or even automate in some instances. Regardless of methods chosen, companies are incentivized for keeping a class of people out of the workforce because profit margins are just better that way. People with no viable options to work and no chance of a private residence of their own are not likely to even try in the workplace, that could be an anecdote for the great resignation.

Then last and certainly the least great idea of a way to escape the rat race. Good ole bond investing. Bonds are probably the closest to risk free and guarantee a return. The major drawback is the interest rate on a 30year is only a tad bit over 2% in an enviroment where the ultra conservative measures of inflation from the government are at least 3 times that number and likely alot higher if the basket of goods used to measure the inflation wasnt cherry picked. So the only way this strategy has a chance is if you inherit a massive sum of money or are a unicorn that knows how to weld or plumb.


We see as time goes on alot of the emphasis for young generations has been on white collar work. We are getting to the point now where we can hardly keep up with maintining current infrastructure much less build new and expand. The crux of the problem is that most people who get white collar degrees are underemployed as wages are driven down from competion among job seekers.

I don't really see a peaceful way out of the spiral we are in. I think eventually the people that actual are responsible for the actual GDP in America are going to get tired of being burdened by everyone displaced. There are no ways out via government intervention either as we have really gotten front row seats into how corrupt politics are. A good libertarian could be a step in the right direction but It would be a chore to rally a group of people who's most fundamental core value is individualism. Currently it would also be tough to convert enough people from the other 2 parties.


What do you think misc? I may have a hubris about these ideas, but would love to hear critiques.

Strong rant didnt read

Dude, Social Security was never designed to be the sole source of your retirement income.