Is retirement a real thing?

Personally I keep the majority of my money in a bank account.
At least I can not lose it when the stock market crashes.
Having pension funds linked to the market is criminal, my opinion.
As we see when the market does crash, many people lose a great deal of money.
Imagine being in your last working year, all your life you have diligently saved to have enough money to see out your life.
Then the market crashes and 50% of your retirement fund is gone.
Tragedy that should never be allowed to happen.
A failsafe could be - all retirement funds should be guaranteed five years before retirement age.
Governments can afford it, they simply do not want to do it.

Honestly. Doubt it. From what I heard the pension funds was already raided to pay for existing retirees, which means it was a pyramid scheme. Which might explain why every country with pension promises seems to constantly need mass immigration to prop up the economy. If it gets paid at all, it'll be in worthless hyperinflated currency while we eat government cheese

Planning to finance your retirement is a 20 year program and should include factors like government benefits and tax laws. Sometimes even choosing a career that offers a solid pension like a service pension can be factored into the programe. Naturally, the best golden pension schemes are still reserved for politicians. Not that I would ever recommend sinking that low just for a lifetime indexed income.😷

Your friend was worried about the same things when she worked too. Retirement is not having to report to another for work unless you want to. Retirement is what you make it. If you want to worry and fret you are free to do so.
Mostly retirement frees you up to use your time in your own way.

Her anxiety has nothing to do with her retirement. She needs to go to a doctor and get. prescription. Seriously. The irrational anxiety is ruining her life.

I knew a lady that worked till she was 80. Work was just part of her everyday routine

Retirement is real, but you have to prepare for it long before you hit retirement age.

not for all. great she has a pension, very rare today.

Yes.

If she has a retirement fund she shouldn’t need to worry she’s worried Because she retired on no money

It’s a real thing. You’re not working and earning a paycheck , but you still have to live. 🙄