this post was submitted on 05 Mar 2024
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The only victim of not having a retirement plan is yourself, surely. And for everything else... Genuinely what are we supposed to do? It's impossible not to feel powerless today because despite all the efforts we go to, everything seems to be going more and more wrong with time. The far right is taking over and setting fire to the world for fuel. Alone no matter what noble actions I might take as an individual are meaningless, and even if by some miracle I manage, along with my fellow Brits, to vote in the progressive government of my dreams... Is that going to stop America's swing to the right? Or China's mega industrialization and carbon output?
Look, for the sake of me and the younger people here in the UK I won't stop trying, you aren't wrong that we shouldn't, but I'm also sick of people blaming the crushed and despondent people of the world for their own situation.
The conversation is also about a) the likelihood that when (surprise surprise) the world does not end and these people have no retirement savings, they will demand public assistance funded via higher taxes on younger working people. And b) the idea of not taking action to make the world better, out of a sense of hopelessness and frankly laziness.
Seems to be but isn't.
Helplessness is propaganda. You are being lied to by people who want you to feel this way.
You can start doing your part in the easiest way possible: argue against and shut down Russian propagandists on this very site trying to convince Americans not to vote for Biden. That's an important job if saving the world is your goal. Forums and social media are battlegrounds of ideas, and you can be a soldier in the army of truth and good.
We aren't asking for tax payers money to take care of us in the way you're thinking. We are asking for universal basic needs. For the young and the old. Healthcare, housing, etc. To move past capitalism. Especially since we are already seeing the issues popping up. People are already starting to work later in life to pay the bills. We are already seeing a surge in elderly homelessness. Of people not being able to pass down anything in inheritance because they have health issues and need to stay in a facility which takes everything from them.
We aren't waiting to say "Now that we are older take care of us"
We are currently saying the system is broken now.
Sure, but that's a slightly separate issue than the people who could save, choose not to, and then demand taxpayer money to make up the difference.
Ph yeah, no, I agree with that part. But the part about people waiting till they're old and then demanding. That part is something we are doing now. We just want people to be taken care of in general. It shouldn't have to be a worry for anyone of any age.
But I do agree that those who are lucky enough to be able to save should save. Cause even if shit gets crazy, having something to help you will be better than living in an apartment with nothing. Either way it's a win.
Who is doing this? This seems like a made up scenario. I don't know how retirement works in the US but here everyone gets a state pension, as long as they have paid taxes for a certain number of years. It's not much, imo it should be enough to live on regardless of the mistakes you make in your youth... I think we should all have the freedom to splash out when young and still retire, whatever the reason. I mean while, yes, the money technically comes from present day taxpayers, you paid your taxes in the past to pay for the last generation(s) of retirees... It works out.
In the US there's a form of state pension, but it's not enough to live on. The expectation is that you save for your own retirement.
I think you can just about survive on a state pension here but, yknow, you might not make it many winters because you won't be able to afford heating.
Made up scenario, are you joking? I can't even count the number of people I know personally who only care about short term satisfaction over their long term well being. There's an epidemic of people out there buying cars they can't afford, going on trips they can't afford, wracking up credit card debt and living paycheck to paycheck.
That's not what I'm talking about. I'm talking about people not saving and then specifically expecting that the state "make up the difference".
My point (which I admit I didn't make well) is that this is a false scenario because, in my experience anyway, A) you pay for your own state pension through taxes while you are working and B) everyone gets a state pension regardless of their personal pension.
No one is expecting more from the state specifically for them because they didn't save enough... Are they? I'm sure that people, like me, believe the state pension should be enough to live on, but for everyone, not just those who squander their savings.
I definitely misunderstood you, my bad. I'm also personally frustrated how my parents lived carelessly and got to live their youth care free(which was never an option for me) and now are putting pressure on me to support them. I'm trying my best to setup my own child for success and trying to figure out if I will ever be done with the painful grind of my 9-6.
We do have Social Security that gets paid into, but it’s not a whole lot and if Republicans get their way, they will siphon the money meant for our generation in order to fund frivolous things like walls.