Is Retirement a Right or a Privilege?

The premise of this article is that we can all work until we die, so retirement should be a luxury reserved for those who can afford it. That's just not the real-world for most Americans.

Can you imagine driving an 18-wheeler until you're 90? How about working construction or manning the state highway crew pouring asphalt in your 70's? Or even making that hour-long commute into your office job to crunch numbers before a computer all day at 80? Surely you've also heard of Alzheimers, Parkinsons, Arthritis and other ailments which become increasingly common as we age? People often retire because they need to.

So, when you say "deserve to"...You're kidding right?...retirement isn't an economic luxury that should be reserved for the wealthy who can "afford" it. And we you can't afford it then face the alternative of losing the dignity of independence to move in with your kids to earn your keep as their babysitter.

Is this really the America you envision? Pathetic.

Kim Wright of VA 9:57AM April 29, 2009