h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Many people save for their retirement, regardless of whether they can also eventually receive Social Security or a private pension. Some people don't or can't do this. Some intend to keep working until they die, which is fine if they can find work and don't become too disabled to work. Different strokes for different folks. Remember, though, that indigence (including involuntary indigence) has been with us since time immemorial. Families have traditionally been care providers of the last resort, but families tend to be smaller these days.

I'm mindful of the adage that if a hammer is your only tool, every problem will look like a nail. Index funds are no exception. Some fiercely independent people will avoid any sort of mutual fund and insist on choosing their own stocks. For every dollar that goes into retirement accounts, another dollar is used for gambling. (This is arguably true in the U.S. I don't know about other countries.)

If you own a house, you may regard that as your eventual retirement kitty. Many people do, in fact, regard it that way.

peace