CNN

Very few of us need to worry about our economic futures. We have none. The world economic implosion is imminent. Except for China and some Arab countries, our world economies are as well founded as the dot com companies were before the teck attack.
We will all be equal soon... broke.

I know absolutely, positively, unequivocably, that I won't have enough money to retire on. That's why I'm planning on dying first.

Jack,

I'm not sure there is anyone NOT worried, at least a little bit!

We went by the book and had a 401K, investments, put away for retirement then we watched as our jobs were outsourced. We moved, started over...having to dig into our retirement funds. My husband retrained for real estate. Well, you know where that's gone. He has restarted a third career now in the alternative energy field...at just above minimum wage. He's a college graduate!

We've gone through our savings and investments and the only nest egg left is the house. Guess what hand-basket that is going into?

I hope the kids have room for us in a few years.

Not worried at all Jack
even in these troubled times the average american can still save money we have to learn how to conserve, and buy only what we need, when american as a whole learns how not to be wastful pig people will learn how to save and live prosperous in the retirement stage of there life

I retired 4 years ago. at that time my wife and I thought we would have enough monthly cash flow to live comfortably BUT if the interest rates on our CD's keeps going DOWN and prices for food and energy keeps going UP, it will be 'Welcome to WalMart" for me!!!

Sadly, yes. I am only 28 years old and I worry about how much I will have to spend on the weekends, much less 40 years from now. It's appauling that the government has gobbled up our money and shown us nothing for it but pork barrell spending and political posturing through earmarks.

It is up to the people to fend for themselves on everything from education to retirement, which makes me wonder what the heck we have government for. Shame on you, Washington stalwarts!!!

How concerned are you that you’ll have enough money when you retire?

Jack, it beyond concern, I am scared !!!
Our current administration is working under the mantra of denial: Tax rebates are going to fix the economy, they're kidding right?

I utilize a good CFP and CPA that try to guide my investments, but with so much corporate corruption it's very difficult.

We need some powerful regulation and oversight with teeth.

We don't need an administration that caters to corporations and not the people they are supposed to represent.

What happened to "We the people"?

I've been retired 6 years now. I'll be OK, I hope, until gas goes to $6.00 a gallon, bread and milk cost more than gasoline and the banks fail. In otherwords, 1929 Part II.

Retirement? You mean burial. I gave up on retirement when BUSH was elected. America has been Sold Out! You might as well call it the United States of China.

Very concerned!!!

I served 30 years active in the Army, having retired in 2002. This was a mandatory retirement that has cut into my standard of living.
Yet, I'm paying taxes on it and when I do draw social security benefits they will be 100% taxable further making an acceptable standard of living impossible.
When I get a part-time job or full-time job the increase in earnings is counteracted by the increase in federal taxes, thereby negating any potential gain.
Add that with increasing prices, $4.00 a gallon gasoline projection, etc. we're caught between a rock and a hard spot.

Why should social security benefits be taxed anyway? We've already paid federal taxes on this income prior to its dedcution from our monthly paycheck - talk about double taxation, this is a prime example.

As a hard working man I am very worried that retirement will be no more that a word in about 10-20 years! I already see that the older generation are starting to suffer, no one seems to have enough money to retire. The medical bill's are way out of cotrol, then you have the cost of living, food & gas prices! I think that if you are not a $100,000 dollar a year or better person, than I do not believe that retirement is looking good at all! The way that this country is spending money, messing with social sercurity, things really look bad. Only the rich will be able to live in this country! I truly do not believe that the politicians of this country care, as long as thier families are not effected! When you see a 70 year old man or woman working in McDonalds then yah' we the people and our future looks very bad! THANKS ALOT YOU IDIOT'S

Jack, having been bitten by the "private sector" scorpion and having seen my social security and pension payments diminish daily due to the increases in the cost of living, I consider myself an expert on this issue.

Social Security, in its limited way, helps us retirees – but we do understand the expense involved and the insane way it is funded. It is far too complex for a discussion in this venue. I should like to see a one-on-one debate between the presidential nominees just on this topic alone to determine which has an interest in or a clue to the solution of this problem.

Private funding for retirement does not work at all, at least in its current evolution (sorry, Huckabee), unless the stock market is favorable at a particular time during the retirement process – witness my problems with ING and the loss of tens of thousands of dollars.

Some sort of compromise could be worked out – perhaps a self-funded, government guaranteed program in additon to social security as a supplement to whatever employer or union pension plans a person may have?

I do feel, unlike the Reaganists out there in this ugly world, that retirement security for individuals should be a function of government. I also believe that all pension plans and other retirement funds, private or public, must contain a 100% cost-of-living adjustment computed semi-annually or more often.

If I have solved this problem for you, please send money.

I am a 62 year old Vietnam Veteran and retired from military service 14 years ago. I say retired, I meant a career change. I educated three children; a lawyer, a special education teacher and a financial advisor. I asked my youngest son that same question, "when will I have enough money to retire?" He replied to me that the best financial advise for a person of my age at this time in my life is to "die broke." So I will finish work today and start the cycle over tomorrow. That is about as concern as I can be realistically.

Already there, Jack! Wise investments and 22 Years in the Air Force and I am OK. Don't live the high life, but I never wanted to. The wife is an Active Duty Lt.Col. and we're headed out west, away from all the east coast window jumpers when the balloon finally bursts! Right now Base Housing is looking pretty good, and safe.

You see the US is still an important economic player in the world. When it goes down, so will other countries, who are already mad at us because of Bush. Couple that with how the Bush Administration has let us down (Security WIse), and we're up to our necks in alligators right now. And just today we find out the (Virtual Fence) isn't even going up, well. nuff said!

To bad you guys screwed Hillary daily on your ,(News?)show, she could have helped! Obama doesn't have a clue! Good luck!

Jack,
Last week my husband did the math to try to figure out how much our health insurance would cost if we retire early (we're both 49 and self-employed). Our premiums have risen 30% a year–by the time we're 64 he figured out that health insurance would cost us $750,000 a year!

YES, Jack, I'm worried!

Barbara
Palm Harbor FL

John McCain is not the only member of congress that does not understand the economy. I would be surprised if any of them could balance their own checkbook. We need a balanced budget amendment with instructions for them. If they had to raise a tax for each of their new earmarks we might see change. If they had to scrap a program for each tax cut we might see change. We need a pay as we go government before we have no government.

Jack Right now I doubt I will ever retire and will probably die with my work boots on. Ive made a decent living in construction for the last 35 years but now I'm sitting here writing this to you while some illegal immigrant is doing my job, I have a lot of spare time. I've got 12 years to go before I reach Social security age and between age discrimination, immigrants and the economy I'm not thinking about reirement, I'm hoping I can keep my house.

If Congress would restore the money they stole from the Social Security Fund, then that would be a start. Why is the media not bringing up this issue whenever they talk about the Social Security Fund going bankrupt?

If Senator Obama is elected, we'll have enough to retire.

If Senator McCain is elected, Iraq will have our grandchildren in poverty long after we're dead and gone.

Very .but as long as GW is gone and we get out of Iraq a war costing us BILLIONS it should get better. I am not sure Obama has the know how to fix this but I sure hope he has. With the dollar going down and homes being forclosed on by the minute and gas going to $4 a gallon God hellp us all.

I worry about having enough money to buy groceries today and gas tomorrow. Retirement is for the rich. I'm 54 and will never be able to retire until I die. The only bright spot in my life is starting this election I will vote Democrat across the board. The Republicans can thank their leader, George "Without a clue" Bush.

Jack,
I think most young American's have come to terms with the fact that there will be no social security when we retire. I'm not worried, because at this rate an entire generation will be broke at 65 and it will be another national crisis instead of a personal crisis. And for those who say we need to save for retirement, show me how when a gallon of milk cost the same as a gallon of gas. When Bush took office 7 years ago a gallon of gas was about $1.45, with this inflation rate how do we stand a chance?

Jack, I am 63 years and had to quit working be cause of health reasons. With the national debt, the high cost of Health Care, the high cost of gasoline and oil to heat your home going up by the day, I can only see things getting worse for me and my wife. I pray every night that we will not have to suffer as things get worse. But also pray for my four daughters and their family's be cause of what I had to experience in my senior years they will be experiencing and suffering at a much younger age. We have put a lot of debt on their shoulders that will have to be paid plus they have put a lot of debt on themselves in the way of credit cards. Now I everything is starting to come due and the only answer our gov't can come up with is, here is a little extra money go out and spend more.

If the Senate and Congress gave up their exorbitant pensions and went on Social Security we would have enough money to fund it through my granchildrens retirement. My children are only 6&8. As for me, I don't know if I'll have enough at the end of the year let alone retirement.

Not really worried at all. Then again, I've always lived within my means and engaged in a quaint activity known as 'saving money'. – Alexandria, VA

We need to retire the members of congress.

Many of us born after 1945 did not have the opportunity to share in vested pension plans or work 25 years plus at one or more companies as our parents. The 401k plans are not much better either, espcially when companies are not matching contriburtions. Therefore, many of us will have to work past the fourth quarter of our working lives, or until our bodies say, there is no more time. By then we will probably drop dead form working into our late 70's or 80's. Dare I say 90's?

La Verne
Sarasota, Florida

Where there's a will, there's a way. Besides, after my late hubby died within 4 months of his early retirement, I'm concerned more that I'll LIVE long enough to enjoy what little I've put aside anyway.

What dream Jack? America is not like it was in the 1960s and 1970s when you felt confident in being able to retire comfortably. Of course, I am concerned about retirement. The country has changed a lot in the last 25 years and its difficult to keep up financially – much less retire. Just ask Lou Dobbs!

jack, the republicans are not going to have a leg to stand on this election, mccain can talk about national security all he wants, but the republicans have driven our economy into the ditch, almost rendering us ineffective in conducting diplomacy using our economic strenght,Americans value their economy very much and voters are gonna reject 100 years war in iraq!

Back in 2003 Bush said, "Mission Accomplished". Is there any reason to believe him now that "we're not headed for a recession"? I AM retired, and it just keeps getting worse and worse. I think most people are concerned when their main "concern" now is if they have enough money for gas to travel to the grocery store. Yes, I'm concerned.

It depends on how long I live. Maybe I'll get lucky and find a nice, old, rich lady that has a few oil wells and then I won't care. Is this why we see so many elderly working at the entrance to Wal Mart as a greeter? Way to go Bush.

What me worry! I worked for a fortune 100 company for over 20 years and thought I could retire at 60. Wait change of plans, I'll hold out until 62 so social security will kick in. Another change of plans, I'll work untill 66 so medicade will kick off. Now I have no plans to retire but am looking forward to dying broke so I won't have to pay a lawyer to write up my will.

Very concerned! As gas prices and everything else continue to rise, retirement with money isn't really be an option for most of us. It's more a case of will we have ANY money when we retire, much less enough, and will we have any health care should we live to that ripe old age?!!

Jack
I am retired and I dont have enough money ! I am on social security and have a pension coming in from a large company after 40 years of employment. My income is being eaten up by the cost of medical insurance, co-pays for medications, increased gas prices which have driven the cost up on food and most everything else we use in our daily lives. Who is going to fix this ? John Mccain, Barack Obama ? I dont think so !

Jack
Somebody please tell George that we are already in a recession. Of course his oil pals are raking in billions of dollars on the backs of working people.
I am a retired teacher on disability and social security. I did get an $11.oo raise in S.S. unfortunately, my pension plan is being flushed down the crapper. Doesn't quite compare with George's buddies in Exxon/Mobil's and their 10+billion in just one quarter.
Paul
North Carolina

Thanks to Multiple Sclerosis I had to "retire" five years ago when I could no longer work. I'm only 52. My budget is so tight, when I rub two nickles together, the buffaloes moan. I can only wonder where I'll be when I actually reach "retirenent age".

I know I won't have enough money to retire when I'd like too, heck I can't even afford to buy the necessary things needed now to sustain life.. Bush is living in a dream world, but why should he worry, the citizens of this country will be supporting him until the day he dies. I wish we all had such a luxury.

I'm not concerned at all. Only an idiot would believe that our government is actually going to take good care of them. Social Security is going bankrupt, and Medicare and Medicaid are in real trouble. And for the most part, there is little the government can do to prevent the natural cycles of recessions in our economy (despite all the bluster the politicians make). Does anyone out there really think an $800 check is going to solve their financial woes? Sure, the Fed lowering interest rates helps a tad, but not much more. And the housing crisis is the result of yet another bubble where people were crazy enough to believe real estate values would continue to rise at a ridiculous rate forever. The fact is, it was a bubble, just like the dot-com bubble that was built on "irrational exuberance."

It's time that Americans wake up, stop running up huge debts to buy things they probably don't need and certainly can't afford, learn how to actually save their money for retirement like other countries such as Japan do, and stop expecting their government to bail them out.

And while I'm at it, George Bush would have done well to learn how to balance America's check book, too – so we wouldn't be facing a crushing federal deficit that is going to hurt as all for a long time to come!

Thanks to Multiple Sclerosis I had to "retire" five years ago when I could no longer work. I'm only 52. My budget is so tight, when I rub two nickles together, the buffaloes moan. I can only wonder where I'll be when I actually reach "retirenent age".

JACK
I'm not worried, I'm sure there's not enough for retirement. That dollar I busted my a==++ for in the 80's and 90's is now worth 10 cents maybe!
I'm on a fixed income and everything is costing more. The increase is SS certainly didn't offset current price gouges caused by government and oil companies. Oh! I forget their one in the same.
dImpeach Bush-its clear to see he's insane. He's way past being afflicted with a mental disorder.
Terry "the hillbilly Hooser"

Being a WISE "60 something" couple we have always planned carefully. Having said that, we also are aware that with our unique circumstance ( having a college age student) we have to be very careful all the time. Since this is something we were always aware of we will continue to be dilligent in our spending and SAVE even more (if possible). We are also very health conscious. We were very poor as a young married couple. We too are concerned at the rising costs of not only daily living but college tuition. Our child will have to pay back substantial loans for some time after graduating. Hopefully, there will be good paying jobs at the end of the next presidential term! This is another reason for our concern with the elections. We can manage for ourselves, but fear for our College Student's future.

Worried? There are so many things right now plaguing the American people it is almost hard to worry about the future because we're trying to breathe in the now suffocating present! I'm a law school student ... and between student loans, taxes, medical insurance, etc. I'm not sure I will ever SEE retirement. How can you plan and save for retirement when you start life with a crippling chunk of debt?

I`m not worried about not having enough money to retire, because I never will retire. I have however planned very carefully for the later years of my life. I for one don`t believe in entitlements of any kind. We were all raised to live so far above or means that anything less seems like a tragedy. This is a time of credit. In other words, living off of someone elses money instead of your own. I don`t think that it`s very fair to spend thirty percent more than you make your whole life, then expect someone else to take care of you later. If you save thirty percent of your income,and roll it over every once in a while you can have money when your older. Your own money. This is a material world, and everybody tries to live to high on the hog, then cry and moan when it does not word out.

Jack,

I'm 71 years old and retired already and worry that if I live longer I
won't have enough to live on especially with that 2.9 percent raise
in my Social Security last month.
With gas prices rising, with food, medication,
and local taxes rising, yes I'm worried. Oh by the way back in 2002 I was paying an average of $ 1.50 a gallon for gas. But I can thank Bush for giving me back $ 600. of which was mine in the first place, but he continues to spend over 12 Billion dollars a week in Iraq.

Jerry
Roselle, Illinois

Trade policies sending our jobs over-seas and driving our wages down and then immigration policies allowing the stealing our jobs on our own soil, which has also been driving down the wages of all Middle Class Americans for the last thirty years. Yes we're worried about retirement; with these things against us we are losing ground on today; who can think about tomorrow?

Oak View, CA

I'm not at all concerned about having sufficient retirement reserves. I know the future, and it is quite ugly.

Bush and his wealthy friends have made sure that there will be a steady supply of white-haired grocery checkers and baggers, convenience store clerks, and retirees picking up beer cans along the roadways to pay for foolish expenditures like food and medicines.

How sorry we will be to live in an America run by corporations that discard aging citizens while bringing in ever more illegals to keep wages low and profits criminally high. Bush's legacy, a third world U.S.

Not at all Jack!!!! The extra money for retirement is under your feet.Its the main reason why Europeans have been coming to this land for over 500 years.Gold and Silver old man,Gold and Silver.I dig up Gold and Silver coins,jewelry as well as the natural stuff, also I,m into antiques.Been doing this for years so I have more liquid assets in and around my house than at the bank, never did thrust banks anyway.Good luck on your stocks, by the way its got the same ingredients as toilet paper.

First of all I have to reach retirement age. Now, if I have saved and scrimped when I am old enough to retire will there be any social Security left for me? People work all their lives for the day they can retire. Unfortunately if we become ill our money goes to medical care until we exhaust it and then and only then do we qualify for Medi Care. I see this every day where people in there 70's and 80's lose their homes and spend all their assets just trying to survive in a healthcare system that demands payment and if you have anything worth anything you do not qualify for governmental benefits and insurance has a 2 or 3 thousand dollar deductible per year if you are lucky. When you live on a fixed income there are no extra 2 or 3 thousand dollars for co-payments. Death does not look so bad once everything has been taken from you.

Our basic assumptions have been shot to heck. Our wages actually declined, our home prices declined. Whatever savings we had went to college tuition, hospital bills, and eventually to monthly living expenses. Collectively, we have seen our pensions stolen, our jobs outsourced, private insurance priced out of our reach. We have taken second mortgages, borrowed from our 401k, and if we are a little unlucky, might lose our homes as well. It turns out that those years that we thought we were buidling towards retirement, we were really helping build a retirement for some CEO that we don't even know.

I really don't have to worry about having enough money for retirement. I retired and didn't have enough. I'm one of those baby boomers forced out of the auto industry at 29 years of service (so they could cut my retirement by 1/3). I'm now working for 1/3 of my previous salary at another company. Hooray for NAFTA, CAFTA, and President Bush.

I'm concerned that I will not have enough money TO retire...not When.

Al, Lawrence KS

I'm only 23 years old and I'm already worried about retirement. Between large student loans and the rising prices of necessities, my husband and I have little left for savings. The longer things stay this way, the further we fall behind.

Just today, President Bush said the economy is in a "slow down." Obviously, he means we're not in a recession. FDR would have called this mess a depression. I have an Air Force pension and am eligible for Social Security, but was hired today to return to the work force, because, I don't want to go slowly but quickly broke. I can always have Social Security to fall back on. George Bush's roots must go back to early Rome. He is Nero incarnate; while Washington and New York's Wall Street burns, he fiddles.

At the young but sensible age of 30 I have the luxury of time to plan sensibly for retirement for me and my wife sometime in our mid to late 60's. But one point that you have missed is that while the economy has slowed we as a nation are also living longer. Not only will costs increase our retirement war chest will have to last for a longer period of time than our parents. My generations' parents, the boomers, will live for 15-20 years past retirement, whereas my generation will likely live on for 25-30 years past retirement age. Keeping that in mind, anyone from my generation that relies on the government, social security or their children to make it through the golden years will not have the quality of life they want. It will take prudent investing that focuses on the loooong term to have a worry-free retirement.

listen jack, i'm 40 yrs old (today) i don't have enough money for next week when my gas bill is due. i'm self employed, raising three boys and never do i live beyond my means. this isn't the same america my parents raised me in. dad made enough to support a family of five, he paid off his house, set some aside and still the man can't retire at 73. i will probably work till i'm dead. tricia, illinois

Jack, I am not worried at all because at this rate I won't be retiring. I will be working until the day I just expire at my job! My mother worked until she was 73 and now struggles to live on social security along with financial help from me and my sister. I am 50 and have used most of what I did have for retirement to buy my house but still have at least 20 years left of a mortgage payment. My house value is at least $40,000 less than it was less than a year ago and I live in a market that is not taken such a hard hit as some others. The expenses of everyday living along with having to help my mother make retirement seem like a ridiculous concept. Lincoln Park, NJ

I'm 28 now and my 46yr old mother-in-law is moving in with me. She recently lost her job which in turn made her loose her car, phone and perhaps worst of all, her house. She has no security blanket, no retirement, no assests and, no job. She'll be working until she drops.The situation motivated me to read a finacial planning book. There are tons of people out there in simular situations as my mother-in-law and all completetly unaware of how they ended up in the mess their in. I'm taking a stand and I'd like to encourage other young people to do the same and be aware of what it takes to make it. It is good to love thyself and treat your self well but if your spending all of your money on rims for your car than I hope your ready to sleep in it. Plan now for a better future and work now so you don't have to later and always remember to give as much as you take or it will be taken from you.

Heck Jack, I am already retired and with gas so expensive, I find myself staying home instead of traveling and it will get worse most likely. At least I can watch the news and see how you people in the news media and press trash Hillary. It seems that men just can't stand a woman who is smart and hard working.

Mary Asheville NC

I am retired and my income is fixed. I am on the lowest rung of the pay scale, and I am scared to death. It's hell to be old, and disabled, and nobody gives a damn. Seniors in this country are getting the shaft from everywhere. Many like myself barely make ends meet until the end of the month but with the prices of everying rising like a tidal wave it won't be long before we will all be on dog food again. I remember when my grandmother, and grandfather lived on a pension, and they made it just fine, but now days greed has swept the country, and everybody who is greedy, ambitious, or agressive are trying to get all they can, and to hell with the rest of us..

Boy you sure got this one right!!

I planned on a 30% inflation factor by the time I retired....it's look more like 57% right now...and could swoop up to 60% in no time.

My SS, pension, and IRA can't keep up with that!!!

Guess I'll be one of the elders bagging groceries!!

The Horsemen are riding, Jack. That light at the end of the tunnel isn't retirement! Your not very good at current events!

I know my retirement is far away. That does not mean I am too young to start thinking about retirement. But because I just cannot afford it. When I am finding it hard to pay healthcare costs now, how will I pay for them when I retire ? How can I plan for retirement when the economy is so sluggish and uncertain ? I am doing everything I can to keep myself healthy so I can keep working for a longer time than I had originally planned.

–Jyothi, Mckinney, TX

Jack, if we're concern now how we're going to pay things month to month, some week by week at this rate we'll have to live by doing all the shopping at the .99 cent store, in order to save a few bucks, or work 2 jobs untill you drop, then we don't have to worry about retirement, or enjoying this sunny day in California..back to work!

Two words: what retirement?

Jack, I dare you to say this on air. As the political genius Alfred E. Newman famously said, "What, me worry?" I'm cashing out everything I have – selling my home, my car, my stocks, my retirement accounts, and whatever else I can scrape together. And then I'm going to move to New Zealand and live happily ever after. Good luck to the rest of you!

Jack, My wife and I raisedour children on one salary when we were younger no it wasnt easy but our faith and love we had for one another saw us through the tough times.Now that im retired we dont sweat the money question if there will be enough God provides and besides it all boils down to this Priorities,chuck

Jack, I am very concerned that there won't be any health care insurance and/or money to pay for my medical bills! Bush can voice that we're not headed for a recession;however, he's been living in a "state of denial" through out his Presidency and I am counting the days until he leaves office! What a disgrace to the American people!

All persons born in the United States, except those not subject to the jurisdiction of the U.S. government (such as children of foreign diplomats) are citizens by birth under the Fourteenth Amendment. There is some debate over whether other persons with citizenship can also be considered citizens by birth, or whether they should all be considered to be "naturalized". Current US statutes define certain individuals born overseas as "citizens at birth," as opposed to citizens by birth.[4] One side of the argument interprets the Constitution as meaning that a person either is born in the United States or is a naturalized citizen. According to this view, in order to be a "natural born citizen," a person must be born in the United States; otherwise, he is a citizen "by law" and is therefore "naturalized."[5] Current State Department policy reads: "Despite widespread popular belief, U.S. military installations abroad and U.S. diplomatic or consular facilities are not part of the United States within the meaning of the 14th Amendment. A child born on the premises of such a facility is not subject to the jurisdiction of the United States and does not acquire U.S. citizenship by reason of birth."[6] That's about as Clear as Mud for you.

I went to my first retirement seminar yesterday and discovered I am going to really love working from now on or really hate working from now on. Those are my options (retirement is no longer an option) so I better learn to love it.

Elizabeth
Gregory, TX

'Concerned'? I'm CERTAIN that I'm going to have to work right up until the day I die!

Jack,

I don't have to worry about my financial situation after retirement, I'm already there,and watching my nest egg rapidly disappearing each day!! With the cost of gasoline and other energy sources,health,
food,and the general cost of living escalating beyond belief, I don't know which will come first death or poverty!!

Like a lot of people, I don't worry about retirement.
I worry about tomorrow.

Jack,
I don't think of retirement, the Federal Government retired me like 13 years ago when they unjustly refused to hire me because of my disability. Right now I am fighting the abuse of power they have impletemented in my court dealings with them. So I hope the final result will be my retirement fund...

C.I., New York

I am a 63 year old woman. I retired a few years ago . My husband opted to remain in the workforce. We've been socking money away, but the truth is, when we were younger we didn't give a hoot about what went into our 401K. We were too busy raising our kids, trying to improve our lives and make ends meet. It wasn't until we got older that we realized our mistake. We are the lucky ones, we have a little something to live on in our "golden years". Why in ten years, if we're lucky, we'll be able to afford a can of cat food for dinner once a week.

Let's see,I followed the rules,worked hard,was honest,didn't cheat anybody and was screwed by the corporations and government. Why shouldn't I be happy?

I'm planning to subsidize my retirement by being the greeter at Wal-Mart.

JACK, IF BARRACK OBAMA DOESN'T BECOME PREZ, I WILL BE RETIRING IN C-A-N-A-D-A.

Jack,
I guess there's no reason to be worried. Evidently our leaders in Washington solved all the problems facing this country early this morning and now they are free to bring the full force of the congress and the Justice Department to bear on our one remaining problem – Roger Clemens.

John in Wapakoneta, Ohio

Actually, it's Alfred E. Neuman (with a U). My wife and I are both retired (me over 2 years ago and her last June). We're set pretty good with guaranteed income from our retirement accounts and social security (as long as Bush doesn't spend it all in Iraq). We planned and saved during our working years, putting as much into our retirement plans as we could afford and now it's paying off. We were also fortunate enough to have parents that planned for their retirement years and when they passed on we were the recipients of their forethought. Too many people moving into retirement age never planned and saved for the day when they could look forward to spending the rest of their lives comfortable and financially secure. Despite the current recession we will live through it and be fine on the other side.

Jack: I have retired twice and still don't have enough money. Maybe the thrid time will be the charm.

I'm 47. I live on Social Secuirty Disability and I can't make it. I hope to become a teacher in a few years when I graduate from college and can hopefully work long enough for teacher's retirement benefits. I also plan to save as much money as I can vefore I retire. I just don't know if it will all be enough.

Jack i am 45 years old , along ways from retirement I am already planning on having to work till i permanently expire .....besides my worries today are getting through the months end with paying bills, sending my teens to college and putting healthy food on my table.
and where the next $100 is coming from to fill my gas tank to get to that job to earn the money to have the LUXURY of driving around the corner.

Gosh Jack, I'm worrying about making it from payday to payday, I don't have time to worry about retirement. That would be a luxury in my book!!!!!

I'm not concerned at all. "Concern" implies uncertainty. I'm 100% certain I won't have enough money when I retire.

what retirement?

I am by no means an economist or am I very well informed on that subject. However, like most people, I don't let a lack of knowledge keep me from expressing my opinion. First, the words worried, are concerned, have doubts, and fear are all negative words. The truth is, we don't know what will happen to the economy – we can only conjecture based on what is going on now. We know the economy is in a slowdown, but we have not had a decline in growth for two quarters, so we are not at this time in a recession. The economy is cyclical – the economy is going to do what it will, and there is not a lot we can do about it. We like to think we are in control, but we aren't. Furthermore, to put it in perspective, I read not too long ago that it would be easier to ride out a recession than another terrorist attack.

In the meantime, folks need to pay off their credit cards and learn to live within their means. The McMansions people have been buying are for their egos, not to live in. We don't need a lot of stuff or the latest gadgets to live a happy life. I know, I know, I sound like an old fogey. Well, I am one who is retired and living comfortably on the money we invested during our working years. If we run out of money, we will deal with that when the time comes. In the meantime, I am too busy enjoying life to worry, be concerned, doubt, or fear.

bill from boston!!! ^^^^^^^^ PLEASE TAKE ME WITH YOU!!!???

This problem is only going to get worse, because the government under reports the actual inflation rate. It saves the government money when they under report inflation, because social security and government retirement payments are increased based on the inflation index. This means that everyone living on Social Security and government retirements gets less buying power every year. If you live long enough, your social security and government retirement checks won't be enough to pay the bills. Reporting the actual inflation rate would make life better for a lot of senior citizens who have paid their dues.

Everyone should be concerned about having enough money for retirement because you never know what could happen before you get there.. I had stock ,savings and a 401k ready to go then I got sick at age 52. I am now on disability and have went through my savings sold my stock and jewelry and all I have left is my 401k funds. No job no more health insurance and rediculous medical bills living off social security and this is after working since 1972 averaging 60 hours per week in retail.The price of everything is going up and if you think I'm not motivarted and listening to these people in washington wasting our money your crazy. I couldn't give a bologna what roger clemmens is doing stop wasting our money and get us some health care, safe shelter and food. Thats the fact JACK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I took Social Security last year at 62, to get my foot in the door before it goes broke. I have a small pension coming at 65 from a former job. I am semi-retired with a piddly job that doesn't bother the Social Security income limit and I've accepted the fact that this is it. I never was in the Rancho Mirage set, so no disappointments there. With subsidized senior housing (not projects) I plan to live OK. Nothing fancy, but, reality is reality.I'll die broke but happy.

I've already retired, so it is sink or swim. I have over my working career tried to invest for my retirement as well as having two good pension plans and social security, my big concern now is for my children and grandchildren and what the future holds for them.

I just returned from an upscale super market. One of their employees is selling their home because they simply can't afford it anymore. Another elderly employee has been very sick with heart and lung problems but must work to have insurance which they could never afford on theirown. The system is already failing Jack. The American Dream has turned into Man for Himself.

Jack, most of america is happy to have enough food till the next check
and the bills paid and caught up.
we except that we are those who work till we die.
see us standing as greeters at wal-mart or wipeing tables at a mcdonalds.
you do what you have to do to survive at any age.

scott missouri

Jack, I pitty a young couple that's just starting out and attempting, to by a home and support two children. I saw the future and spent a career, in law enforcemen, where my retirement is hopefully secure. I purchased long term care, when I saw personal fortunes devastated, by medical bills and long term care facilities. American's must begin, to save every penny they can, to protect themselves, because our government will be too busy caring for illegal aliens.

I am very concerned about my retirement. I blame myself for not starting to figure it all out sooner, but when I was younger, it was one of those things I thought I would have time to worry about. Now I am less than 10 years away from retirement, and have a whole $3000 invested. Looks like I may end up having to live with my kids. I can hear them now..."Mom, as long as you live under MY roof..." I am scared, Jack, really scared!

I'm not counting on having any. That's what Bush's legacy will be – how successful he was at making his rich cronies richer.

I have no plans on retiring in the classic sense of quitting work at age 65 adn living off investments and social security. Social security is nothing but I.O.U.'s that stand no chance of paying out at the purchasing power they were paid in at. My investments have done well, but I fear for the dollar's value in the years to come because of the rate at which our government has increased the national debt – 7 trillion and rising! – and the generally irresponsible manner that financial matters have been handled by both current and former administrations. Note the steady slip of the Dollar as compared to the Euro. Mediare is in very poor shape and I cannot depend on it so health insurance will be a significant expense. Our manufacturing base continues to erode as these once vauluable jobs are shipped abroad to countries that pay their people less than $3,000 per year, thus the trade deficit will continue to send dollars abroad. Our energy policy has criminally favored the multinationals and our government has ill prepared us for alternatives to petrolium and has left us stategically vulnerable to unfriendly foreign governments. Look for 5-dollar gas in 2 years! Retirement? Hardly!

we've been in a recession for a year now and we are heading for a tsunami of a recession but of course georgy boy won't tell you that

it would make him look like an idiot.....oh wait he already does!!

Jack, I'll have lots of money when I retire, but the concern is over what will it buy when I do retire. The government has allowed inflation to rob the value of my savings and social security benefits and it makes me feel as if I have worked as a slave all my life for nothing. Maybe this is the federal government's greatest conspiracy; to take people's social security tax money when it has value and give it back when it's worthless.

Speaking of retirement money, where is all the oil money from Iraq that was going to pay for this war. China is waiting for their payment. I hope it isn't lost with the other missing cash over there. I'm sure I can depend on the honesty of our elected officials to recover it.

We live in a disposable country where the elderly are shoved aside like yesterday's newspaper.The day I will be able to retire is the day they put me in a box and throw me in the ground.By then I'm sure I'll need the rest.

Elise
Sister Bay,Wi.

Jack lets put it this way. Our government needs to get their act together and start taking care of Americans and the condition of our economy. The rest of the world well to heck with them, they are not living here, they are not loosing their homes, jobs and watching their retirement funds dwindle and slowly disappear. Me, I am very worried that I will not be able to retire in when I am in my 60's because of the rising cost of living.

I am 33 years old and I am not counting on Social Security to help me out even though I and everyone else in there 30's and younger will likely have to pay into it for the rest of our careers. I am not worried about my personal retirement, but I am grieved over the failed responsibility of our U.S Government. I'm not sure why Senator Clinton thinks it's a positive to compare her health insurance plan to the failed social security system lately in her campaigns.

While some get to count on some assistance from our governent, the rest of us are on our own for now. I would like to see this system get fixed but won't count on it. Do you know any Wall Street insiders who can give me some tips?

Jack,

Retire? Your just trying to be funny now. As a lower middle class family that are already in our late 30's me and my wife will be working until they drag our corpse's from our jobs. I can't retire just working for someone else, and starting a small buisness isn't viable anymore unless you come from another country.

JC Lexington, SC

Jack,

I'm absolutely terrified. I'm in my late 40s and have been a single parent for most of my life. The youngest of my four children just turned 18 last month. Very often, when you're a single parent, everything you make goes into raising your children and providing for them, which has been the case for me. I have very few working years left to gather resources for my retirement, and I'm in a panic. My children are fast becoming independent, self-reliant people and I have great respect for them. My absolute worse nightmare is that someday I might become a burden on them.

Tucson, Arizona

I loved the Glen Beck quote in his piece this morning, what his grandfather said about the people who survived the depression. I think it is very poignant. Personnally, were going to be fine (should I cite Hillary here?) But we had to work hard to get to that point. A lot of sacrifice early on and even though we feel like we are okay now, you never ever know when something devestating can happen and you won't be able to recover. I pray everyday for all of our health to remain good.

I'm not concerned. I simply won't have enough. The economic policies of thelast several years have all but destroyed the hope of any retirement at all. That having been said, I hope that one person, George Bush has a pleasent retirement. The sooner the better.

Simply being wise, I have no concerns about retirement funds. I have always put investing and saving as my main goal. However, the most of Americans have no idea what it means. They have to have the biggest cars, SUVs and oh yes the trucks right now! Then comes the big houses and the hundred dollar sneakers for the kids! I have watched friends bury themselves in debt for almost 40 years.
Sad. Very sad.

Hi Jack:

I am very concerned in that I see more and more homeless and they are getting younger. these are people that hd good incomes two years ago. They lost their jobs with nothing to fall back on. This is happening because the cost of living has made it impossible to live without spending more than you make, just to cover the bare essentials. If the economy keeps declining in the path that we have been seeing. This country will enter into a depression much worst that the 1929 event. Those who are counted among the very rich today will be going without just to survive.

There is a very small society of the very rich and greedy that are only getting more wealthy at the expense of the lower and middle income families. Feeding off of those that could least afford it.

God Bless to All,
Ron K. San Diego

Retire? I'm not even sure I'll be ABLE to retire! I'm a teacher in Illinois, and our retirement system fund is in jeopardy (but that's another post). I'm 38, have 13 years under my belt but will work at LEAST another 16-20 until my youngest is out of college (IF I can afford to send him...). I LOVE what I do, but the pay is cruddy, to say the least. My husband and I are barely able to save anything, except what is taken out of our paycheck already for our jobs, in order to provide for our kids. Something's gotta give soon, Jack, or I'll end up being the teacher who's been here for what seems like forever, calling kids by their grandparents' names!

Retirement? I can't even get past this month! I've been waiting over 6 months for a very nice, large home in DC to sell and it's getting closer to foreclosure time. If that happens, I will be effectively homeless and sleeping in my car. Where have all the people gone that lost their homes? Is there is "foreclosure people only" town somewhere in the US?

Retirement is not even in the cards these days. We are just trying to focus on keeping a roof over our heads, food in the frig, and our utilities on. That simple.

I won't give the government the satisfaction of being afraid, they use fear to compromise liberties.
Guess who I voted for

Not very, cuz the way things are going in this country I'm sure we'll all have grown use to being broke and homeless while working for table crumbs by then.

I just hope they still have the dollar menue at McDonalds by that time.

New Jersey

Jack,

I had just turned thirty and currently work in Corporate America. My parents are very close to retirement, and I am sadly disappointed about the condition of the ecomony, the high inventory of available homes, and the low buying power of the American dollar which all may effect their decisions for the near future in the short-term. With all this in mind, it really scares me about my future retirement. At least I have a head start and know when it is my turn "to ride into the sunset" to not expect much from Social Security (if there is any). I may have to push some of my winning chips to an off-shore account (a joke by all means).

This is one thing I lose sleep over.
My parents have Government retirements. We not only have to save for our retirement but we have to make all of the decisions on how to invest it. It can be intimidating. I use a broker for some of my investing but he doesn't have a crystal ball.
We are in the minority that we don't have credit card debt, pay extra on our mortgage every month and really try not to live beyond our means but have recently learned that a relative that did not plan well for her future will need our help financially.
The biggest concern will be health care. I shudder to think what that will cost when many of us are ready to retire. We may need part time jobs just to pay for it.

Good aftrenoon, Jack!
I am already retired, but I have to go back to work. That is reality for many retirees in this country in these times. Unfortunately, it will also be a reality that will affect my grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, and great-great-great grandchildren as they worked to pay off the trillions of dollars of debt that has been heaped on them by Bush. Or, they may be fighting in Iraq for the next hundred years.

I do not know what planet Bush lives on....we are in a "slow down?" Maybe he gauges the economy by how slow everyone moves around in the White House.

The way things are going I'm afraid I'll never retire and I'm still a 20 year old college student. There's very little to be optimistic about. Scandal, stagflation, the list goes on. I pray that someone does something to turn this around. Hopefully by the time I retire decades from now.

jack you have to be able to see the BIG PICTURE.... no $$$ means no food, clothing or shelter. forget the gasoline prices retirement is
a scam it's advertising slogans, remember the IRA blitz save for your golden years... the guy with the humidor full of havana tampas... wearing a cardigan sweater silver haired senior looking like a million bucks... well he just got mugged by the republicans who were the ones in office when IRA's came out.

iggie horowitz, ship bottom nj

I am almost seventy-two years old and still have to work. I worry what will happen when I am physically unable to, when my car has to be replaced, pay my supplement to Medicare and drug insurance payments and keep a roof over my head as well as feed this body. We will probably become a world of the "homeless".

Jack,

I feel very fortunate to be in the position I'm in today. I'm 40 and my wife is 36. We have two boys ages 1 and 3. We've just paid off both 529 plans for our sons and our home is paid for. And yes, I'm also still very concerned. My parents were very consevative and never made more then $50K per year. They tought me the value of a dollar and the "pay yourself first" approach. Regardless of my financial position today, based on the cost of living continuing to rise, health insurance concerns, social security status and the overall economy, no matter how financially set you think you may be, I believe we all have reasons to be concerned. I hope the new administration can help turn the tides! Go Hawkeyes (ex Iowa boy)!

Who is worried about retirement?

I can run for public office – and do enough favors – to keep me in cash forever.

Worried about retirement? Why? With the government doing all it can to ruin the dollar and turn the US into a third-rate nation, I'm sure Hillary or Obama will promise us all that we'll be fine, and that they'll just print up some more worthless paper to hand out in the soup lines...

Come on, Jack. You MUST be kidding.
Retirement? That word is now an American dream.
And coming from Michigan, I do mean dream (on).
My crystal ball no longer has the word "retirement" in it.

Did You see George Bush at the press conf. today? he dont even know how much people are paying for a gal of gas????He is clueless..God help us...please.........

I am 66 and already retired. With prices at their present level I will be broke and on welfare in about two years. If things get worse I will not survive even that long. I am astounded at the insane conditions I am witnessing and experiencing. Hopefully there will be some relief after the next election but I will not hold my breath.

This is all past tense to me now when it comes to retirement income. Their's never enough, but this is no mild recession were in, but the beginning of a "Great Depession". The build out of East and West Germany, in the 80's ,in addition to the Soviet Block countries getting their independence, got us thru the mid-90's. Then with Nafta coming on board it balanced our trade books. But ,the big chuna was China's acceptanced, into the world's industrial countries forum, it was seen to all, at the time," Blue Skies Forever", until 2008! The playing field is now level, and the water has reached it's bench-mark (metaphorically speaking), with nobody to pull the release value, which scares me, because the bridges aren't even safe enough to live under today!!! Earl, Provincetown,Mass.

I would also like to add that Mr. Bush need not give advice to any one, why do you think that this country is in the condition that it is! If anything it's Mr.Bush that should be asking for some advice, advice about how to get the country back to the superpower that we once were. If the economy keeps getting worst than I will never retire. I am right now looking for a second job just so I dont have to live the way that I have been living. Which is paycheck to paycheck, thats just no way to live in a country such as this.
If I can not find another job, than I am thinking about going back to school, I am a phlebotomist and I make pretty good money now "BUT" you would never know that do to the coast of living on Long Islang!

Retire? you've got to be kidding! I'll have to work until I drop dead just to have a roof over my head, have food on the table and pay for the $12 a gallon gasoline we'll have in ten years!

Not heading for a recession? What closet is he living in? Oil was $28/barrel when this idiot took office and what is it now $102? I lost $14,000 on my investments last year. I wonder how much he lost?

I'm retired right now and am very concerned about not having enough money to last. I'm so concerned that I'm working a part time job to not deplete my savings.

George the Clueless will be the first American president to have two recessions under his watch. This man is Herbert Hoover squared. Lucky for me I lost all my money in the first George Bush recession. I'm one car accident away from living in a refrigerator box anyway. Retirement for me will be getting planted in the ground.

Jack, I heard on CNN today that inflation last year was 7% and it could rise to 20% this year. From the view point of a retree, I can tell you that under the debt ridden economy Gearge Bush has wrought upon us, now recognized as "stagflation" it is a very frightening thing just to be retired. Cost of living adjustments, if you are fortunate enough to receive one, do not include adjustments for food and energy costs. This is another of those blessed Reagan gifts from when the deficit he was running up scared up the likes of Graham-Rudman, etc. I've never been able to understand how the people of this country could stand for the government's exclusion of the increased costs of the most essential items required for a human to exist when determining what a "cost of living" adjustment should be for those retired and disabled and unable to work to supplement their income. Unless someone is making $250,000 per year, they cannot afford to build up enough to comfortably retire over their life span If they have a couple of children who attend college. Based on the actions of previous Republican administrations since the 1970's, I would say to our young people that you cannot afford to vote Republican if you ever plan to retire!

Jim
Prosperity SC

Jack,

My wife and have a decent retirement pensions so we are not too worried. As things stand, we have it timed out where the last check will clear the day the last one dies and nothing will be left. The kids get to come in and throw out all the stuff we have accumulated in our efforts to be good consumers. Ain't America GREAT!

Robert

Jack, please clarify for the rationally challenged that the Social Security Trust Fund has not been stolen by anyone and that Congress has been on Social Security since the early 80's when the pension plan was drastically reduced. The only changes to the original SS act were done during the NIxon and Reagan years and were improvements. This can be verified at the official SS web site under "History of Social Security". Why are Republicans so stupid? Thank you.

Jack, not long ago John McCain promised fifty or seventy five dollar an hour jobs picking lettuce for the full season in Yuma. I hope to take that up with him in about eighteen years from today. he has a great gene pool that he should be around as long as Moses was to pay up, I just hope his word is good for it, because that will support my old age needs.

Jack,
Retirement is definitely not on my mind, as I am a sophomore in college. My only worry about the state of the economy is how I would pay off my student loan and how much financial aid I would get in the next two years that I am in college. When I turn 30 or so, only then I would make a decision about a retirement plan. Who knows, maybe by then the American economy will recover.

Okay, we've already retired...husband from Navy, me from Law Enforcement. I guess when we switch to bike riding and sell the pickup, start raising all our own veggies, rather then just tomatoes and melons...we may just squeak by...am I better off than I was 8 years ago? Well, actually yes...not a millionaire, but not on the begging line yet. The trick is being careful and teach my pennies to sing for their supper.

too late to worry jack, been retired since 2002 from the USPS... and i can hold onto money so tight i make the eagle grin. you can't plan for ecconomic shortfalls or acts of GOD... but it didn't take a Rhodes Scholar like Bill Clinton to see this coming when he passed NAFTA
it's all over for RETIREMENT JACK.... retirement just went out the backdoor and won't be coming back....

Bill Bailey , Tombstone , Arizona

Hi Jack:

Having done most of the things I could in my working life to retire at age 65 then at age 61 being told I had to retire due to heart trouble I soon found out things are what they are. The truth is when you retire it is just too late to over again, therefore we must play the hand you are dealt. It's called life.

We live in a nation that is confronted with some very real and serious economic problems. We have a president who believes any and all economic problems are solved simply with tax cuts. He also believes that the best and only way to share the sacrifice and support our troups in time of war is to go shopping. Shouldn't that make any sane person rightfully be concerned about their economic future?

A big problem value of the dollar in relation to other world currencies. The Euro started at 96 cents or so per dollar. Today it costs us a dollar and a half. Canada has seen the same percentages. Even Mexico, for decades has hovered around 8 pesos per dollar is now gaining strength. That means with a stronger Euro, and other currencies, whichever country holds our Treasury notes can cash them in at a huge discount (PROFIT). T-Bills are where Social Security money is invested. Real whiz kids we've got running the economy all right. But greed and malfeasance has no conscience.

She absolutely should release those returns. She said she donated to her campaign. So this goes to the heart of where the money being spent on her campaign is coming from period. Barack has answered questions about Rezko, tax returns, and Farrikhan. So I'm confused about how the media gave him a pass on those things. Perhaps those who do not support him are upset that there was no legimate issue there, but they have been raised. The media hasn't given Obama a pass. I personally think they have given the Clintons a pass. I don't think anyone wants the media to start digging and bringing up their dirty laundry and investment or land dealings.

Economic down turn will solve boarder problems also. No one would bother to come here. A few years of recesiion would qualify us to be a third world country and India and China might provide us with economic acid. Hang in there fellows or buy property in India for retirement.

Quote from the Economic Forum....

The Chinese save today's money for tomorrow, American's spend tomorrow's money today.

My advice... smaller residence (buy or rent), smaller cars, stop charging, stop filling your cupboards and garages with crap, cut back to one hobby/activity you're really passionate about, give up the lattes and cigarettes, and save your money. You aren't a celebrity, stop trying to live like one.

If Mrs. Clinton has nothing to hide, or be worried about, than there is no reason for her not to release both the White House Files and her Tax returns, now. What is she concerned about? Doesn't she realise she's doing herself a great deservice not being more forthcoming?
It only creates suspicion in the minds of the average people, and gives fodder to her opponents. If she's that smart, she should prove it by showing everyone there is nothing to hide, and silence the issue.

It should make no difference. The whole point of providing citizenship for U.S. military personnel’s children born outside the U.S. is to remove such a burden.

I spent 6 years at European and Asian duty stations while in the U.S. Navy and would be outraged if Military personnel’s children could not have all the same rights and opportunities as children born within U.S territory.

Look’s like New York Times is batting 2-for-2 with foolish McCain Stories.

Philip R. Docken
Sioux City IA USA

Worried? I'm 40, I just barely make enough to get by now, let alone save for retirement. Here's the deal ; we'll either turn this ship around and have a great country that takes care of everyone, or , if things keep going like they are, we'll all be worried about growing enough food to survive and retirement will be a word of the past.

Yeah... Thank You Bush, for starting the war.
We sure could use that $$$$ for so many better things.

Ha! Im 22 years old and know that the only chance I have at retirement is to plan it myself. My worry is I won't have the money. The question is, "Why am I paying for social security now?" I won't ever see it.

Jack, I am surprised you did not try to blame HRC for this problem- well I will give you another day and am sure you will come up with a way to link her with it.

African Americans dont concern themselves with retirement worries. Most of us work and hope to make it through the following year let alone retirement years.

You must be kidding right ????? Jack , we don't even have enough money to keep gas in our cars !

Very worried, I'm unemployed so far, My only retirement fund is the take a penny leave a penny fund down at the local taco bell, and no one seems to be leaving any pennies these days!
chris
MI
p.s. Jack please run for the whig party!!!

I am very concerned about my retirement, not just mine but all americans. That's why I had recently wrote into one of your blogs demanding that congress and the senate pass the fair tax. Where i work jobs are being outsorced to China among other places. My work place won't last forever at this rate. The fair tax would cut out corporate taxes and bring industry back to the U.S. It would cut out alot of other taxes too. I beleive the Fair Tax would jump start our economy and give americans hope like we never seen before. It would give americans back a sense of job security. America would be the worlds corporate tax haven giving us alot of jobs back into our country. Why this is never talked about is really beyond me!!

jack i used to worry where i would get the money to live on , pay for healthcare , food, entertainment... etc; now i just worry that the liquor store won't cash my pension check so i can buy more Old Grand Dad... i find i don't have any aches or pains.. and haven't been to see the doctor in years.... the secret to retirement is keep drinking... jack

Marge Shotzzie , Dugout Dog , Ohio

Jack,

Retire? I'll be working till I'm 90 just like McCain.

I am extremely concerned about my retirement's future. I plan to graduate from law school next year and in addition to saving for retirement, I have to pay back Sallie Mae. In light of the ever exacerbating deficit.......who knows what social security will look like for my generation.

I'm 56. I retired four years ago and I'm scared. Our nation is 9 trillion in debt and over 50 trillion if you include entitlements. Everyone should be scared.

I'll keep this one quick and simple. You can't concern yourself with something you know won't happen. I have lost my entire retirement, my job and my home over the Bush administration. I am 50 years old and am trying to start over with renting and retirement.

Therefore, I have had to settle for the toughts of no golden years for me. I bet those CEO's and Bush will have one.

Jack,
I'm a freshman in college and I know even with a great college education I will be working well past the average retirement age of today! I guess I better make sure I choose a career that I love because retirement might not be an option for me!

Jack,
As a middle aged white man I plan to camp outside GW's house. It seems it never rains on his parade.

Sure, I 'm worried about enough money for retirement. The problem is, we're already retired. And hurting.

Obviously, the only way I will have enough money is to never retire.

Jim, Craig, CO

My father has worked at GM for 42 years. Both myself, and my sister are in College. I am in my fifth year and my sister is in her third year. Each year, our college tuition goes up roughly $3,000. My mother had to go out, and get two jobs that pay minimum wage, on top of my church job, and my sisters clothing store job. We have no money, our college loans are way above our heads, and we can't sell our house because the economy sucks so bad. My dad is 60. He told me last night... He will never be able to retire and will probably die at his GM factory. What a great government we have.

As a person in his mid 30's, I am very concerned. At the rate things are going, I'll be working until I die, which will most likely be on the job. If I do retire before "kicking the bucket", there's always housing down the street...under the beautiful Long Beach boardwalk.

I'm moderately worried about having enough funds upon retirement. I do not want to have to count on Social Security being there for my generation. Thus, I'm trying to save as much as possible through retirement accounts at work and other IRA's. The real issue that worries me is how fast the value of the dollar is slipping. Inflation seems to be on the rise again, and against the Euro we have reached an all time low.
I guess there will not be many trips to Europe in my lifetime.

Let's get real Jack

I'm 44 and have been subjected to the Bush/ Clinton regime most of my adult life. If they continue to follow Bush Sr. wishes we will be globilized by then and the poor will be poor while the rich will take care of each other. Change is a neccesity to American Salvation.

I am still under 40 and already worried about retirement, taxes, and social security. I may be 90 by the time we pay for the Bush Administration's spending on wars and other government increases. What worries me even more are what it will be like for others who are not planning far ahead for retirement and how it will effect those who do.

As a 24 year old fresh out of college and just starting this real world thing, having enough money when I'm retired seems like an issue that's very far off.

Thing is though, with Bush's excessive spending on the war and dipping into other federal funds, I'm more worried about things like social security not being there for me even though I'm paying for our seniors now.

Don't get me wrong, I don't mind doing them this service just as long as someone is able to return the favor when I'm old enough.

Not worried,already retired, but you know dog food does not taste too bad, but really helps to put hot sauce on it.

I'm 26 years old. The only retirement I will ever see is the money I save myself. Corporate pensions are evaporating ang Social Security will be a distant memory when I turn 65. Needless to say, I'm a little worried.

I have a magnet on my refrigerator that says, "Financially I am set for life,
provided that is, that I die next week" My 65 yr old husband continues to work full time, driving almost 1.5 hrs one way to work.
I work as a rn in a busy hospital, having several years to go till retirement, I continue to work after knee replacement surgery, rotator cuff surgery, and carpal tunnel problems. The job risks that cause these injuries/problems also provides me with health care that i could not otherwise afford. What a catch 22 that is!!!!!

You know jack I must say:

1. Going through life constantly worrying isn't a very good life.

If you go 40 years worrying and being miserable and get 5 good years of retirement you have destroyed your life with depression only to use your retirement as a recovery from a life of stress.

I have a fool proof retirement plan.

I plan to be elected to the US Senate. It is one of the few places where you can remain gainfully employed far beyond your usefulness or competence. The salary and benefits have no relationship to your service to teh nation.

I'm planning to head a committee that will investigate a shortage of sports related balls.

The press can dub it "No balls gate"

Independently in PA.

Jack,

I'm 24 and I'm already starting to shove money into my mattress. Sure, the 401k's and IRAs will help, but since I'm not going to get Social Security, I'm sure the mattress money will help.

Retire?? Jack, I'm 63 years old and work an outside construction job. The way things are going, I will probably R.I.P.

I am not concerned about having money once I retire, because I, unlike so many others in this country, am not relying on social security to pay for me until I die – I can't. I get money taken out of my paycheck every week for a benefit that I will never receive. Social Security was a great idea in theory, but then again so was socialism. No one ever planned on the baby boomers.

As a 23 year old broke veteran, I am fed up with everything being an uphill struggle financially. I am going to join the French Foreign Legion. They actually take care of their veterans. Also, when I do retire, I won't have to worry about healthcare costs. (even the VA doesn't cover all costs)

Of course I'm concerned about how much money I'll have in retirement. It comes down to life and death. Food and Shelter. My question is why we trust and pay a private Federal Reserve group to regulate our money supply, when the U.S. Treasury could handle the same issues without the exorbitant interest rate charges.

Edward
Rochelle, IL

I am very concerned in general. I am not a rich person by any means and have a tight budget. The issue with social security going to hell isn't making me feel any better. Our economy has taken it's toll on my 401k as well. In the long run, we all hope our 401K's will benefit but not having a secondary compensation thru social security is going to be tough. I'm only 32 and I don't want to retire in my late 60's or early 70's but I might have to.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not looking for a handout, but a solution to social security would be very helpful. I really hate knowing that I put in all that money into social security just to hear that it's possible I won't see a penny of it back when I reach retirement age. I think the government needs to stop dipping into the program, fix it, and make it a reality for citizens in the future by managing it correctly now and forever.

I am a Kindergarten teacher in Tulsa, Oklahoma. My retirement plan? One of my students will go to the office and tell them " I think Mrs. Gaddys dead." So I don't worry to much about housing or health care.

I talked my husband into retiring from his Engineering career early while he was still sufficiently healthy to enjoy his retirement. After all, I insisted, we have investments in the stock market, annuities, and CD's; pension incomes from three major U.S. Corporations and we are frugal by nature. Now, my husband's health is failing and our medical expenses, along with gas, food and shelter, are nibbling away at our investments. CD's have been called because money is available at cheaper interest rates; the stock values are falling, and we've been forced to cash out some of the annuities just to make ends meet each month. To avert funeral expenses, we are even considering the donation of our bodies for medical research after we leave the planet. Jack, that's how desperate things really are...and today Bush stated we're not heading for a recession! Perhaps they just call it by a different name where he comes from.

My husband and I are almost sixty years old and have struggled to help our children and grandchildren survive in this horrible economy.

Jack, we have accepted the fact that we will probably retire when they hammer the nails in our coffins

I'm 25 and very worried about my retirement. I still haven't finished my college because ever since I got enlisted in the army (national guard) almost 3 years ago I was home only for several months. I finally had a chance to continue my education this year after I came back from deployment. And if the war doesn't stop – there's a good chance that i may not finish my school for another several years, and it certainly doesn't look good for my retirement.

Jack, retirement, what's that? If you enumerate all the problems taht we face as a country over just the next ten years, were all going to have "to work till we drop", you included!

Jack, I'm 25 years old and making a pretty good salary. I put away 15% of my earnings into my 401(k) and I still cannot escape feeling like this will not be enough. First up on the radar was the uncertainty of social security and now we are in economic decline. As a matter of fact, I have lost money on the funds I put into my retirement plan this year. It must be nice to have your retirement taken care of by your parents, but for those that have to earn it I'm sure I'm not alone in feeling unsteady. I would like a pair of those rosy colored glasses George W Bush looks through on a daily basis.

Retirement is a large concern, however, I have not heard anyone address what will happen with Medicare. What will happen to the Medicare system when we are unable to fund the health of seniors?

Jack. 20 plus years in retirement. When you live too long you run out
of money. Can"t have everything

I'm going to take a NAFTA retirement – go to some foreign country and spend my US earned retirement there. And maybe I'll get one of those American jobs which were shipped out of this country that led to the value of my retirement going into the proverbial toilet. Why stay here in a country that doesn't care about me!!

Worried? Try outraged, disgusted, and fighting mad to see the American Dream, nothing fancy, just some measure of security, having been stolen along with the last two Presidential elections, by the Bush/Cheney thugs! I want America taken back from the Corporate hijackers that have raped and pillaged our working and middle class.

Jack, I am far from worried, because I'm entirely too busy being terrified.

Can I afford my college debts? No. Can I afford my bills? Of course not. Can I afford even my meager lifestyle? Doubtful. But I can afford to educate myself, my friends, my family and anyone who will listen about the next president, now vying for our votes, because I guarantee, despite our economic woes, we cannot afford any hint of a repeat of George Bush, Elder or Younger.

For now, I am certain only of one thing: that I may not be able to enjoy the future my vote may provide.

Hi Jack,
My husband and I are starting over at 63 and 64 because our jobs were lost to India. We can't afford to retire, so here we are looking for new jobs, worried about our house, worried about Social Security (which may turn out to be our only source of retirement income) and worried that we will not ever be able to retire, no matter what happens. It looks like the American Dream is circling the drain, and taking us with it!

Jack,

Remember how the Baby Boomers protested in mass in the Sixties? Well don't be surprised when they protest in even bigger masses IN THEIR SIXTIES!!!

Baby Boomers who are on the verge of retirement seeing the US going down the tubes just as they are getting ready to hit their "golden years" are going to be REALLY pissed off. I hope all the Polititians, Think Tanks, Government, and the Media who conspires with them, realizes what is headed their way. I don't think they have seen anything yet in the way of our generation sounding off and acting out!!!

JACK
There are a lot of people out there that are already retired. dont you think you should have included them in your question?
yes overly concerned

I have absolutely no fear with regards to the future and any financial worry. My wife & I have enough to live on as long as we don't buy anything or travel anywhere.

Everyone is concerned about when and how well we can retire. But the new worries are very disturbing. Will the money we have be worth the paper its printed on? With inflation and the falling dollar I'm buying Euros. We shouldn't be bailing out those caught in the sub prime debacle by lowering interest rates when we should be raising them.
We may all be working for the rest of our lives just to pay our energy, medical and insurance bills.

Retire? I can't afford to live now!!!

Nancy, High Bridge, NJ

I am retired, disabled and 57 years old. I tried to sell my house last year. After 4 months, I hadn't received a single offer. I now owe as much in mortgage balances as the house is worth. I only have one-third of my original IRA savings left. The IRS hounds me more than an infant crying for a bottle. How about big government bowing out here? I am very worried that I will be a charity case or be a burden to my already overburdened children.

Georgette
Manalapan, NJ

i don't think i will ever be able to retire–for that you have to be able to save money–every last cent each month goes to bills and food if we need other neccesities, alot of times they have to go on a credit card, there is also no outside entertainment. The only way i see a way to retire is a miracle or a relative with money might think of me. I need to pray for my health to remain good so i can work till the end–that is the way it looks now–if not i guess my kids might have to take care of me–that is definatly not the way it is supposed to be!!!!!

As a single parent and a disabled veteran (no pension until age 65) it is very difficult to pay for all this and still save for retirement. The increased cost of insurance for cars, home and medical plus the increased food, clothing and fuel cost has CONSUMED all the extra money that I used to put away for retirement. It seems that we are going to have to go back to the way of the Walton's and the whole family live together from cradle to grave.

Enough money for retirement? I have no doubts that I won't ever have enough money to retire. What I'm unsure about is whether I'll have enough money to avoid starvation. I've continually had to use more and more money just to get to work.

Jack,
Of course, most of the people think this is crazy. But, they still do not seem to get it right. Some time in the future perhaps!
Papa

No one told us 40 years ago that we would be on our own and have to fund 100% of our "golden years". Age discrimination has made it almost impossible to get work after 50 and retraining = no experience plus you're too old anyway. I'm 65 and will have to work until they put me in a nursing home. Young people will understand when they get here....

When you come from Buffalo, you learn to be frugal(cheap).

With both major parties using government coffers to enrich the corporations (and thus secure their own reelection funds), we are borrowing heavily against our future. Deprivatization is the only way to recoup the losses. Our tax money is going to pay a 3% government administration overhead, PLUS a 15% contractor overhead, PLUS another 15% or more to cover the profit margin. Retirement? Maybe when I'm 80, I'll have worked myself into the ground enough to qualify for Long-Term Care Medicaid and can "retire" to a publicly funded nursing home. If we still have Medicaid by then.

Retire? Haha. This old horse will die in harness - unless I'm crowded out of the employment market by ageism for forced to do so by illness. I am 60, have a Ph.D., and have done my best to live frugally and save. I heard this week that Chelsea Clinton earns more than $250K/yr. and is not yet 28. I wonder where and how my life went so wrong.

Jack,
I have two annuity checks because I earned two retirements. But I can hardly afford to pay rent, eat and buy medicine on two checks. The only way I make ends meet- barely meet- is by working from home, as well.

Eggs, milk and coffee are moving from the "necessary" list to the
"luxury" list. Gorge Bush & I were born in 1946, but the "silver spoon"
placed in his mouth by his wealthy family can swish his coffee every day, without the slightest thought.

Bush seemed unconcerned, if not even, nonchalant about the press' notification today that gasoline is nearing $4 per gallon; but why would George concern himself with the prices of egggs, coffee, or gasoline ?? We the tax payers are picking up his tab...!

What retirement? My husband is old enough to retire, but after working all his life, raising 6 children, and putting up with my health problems, there is no money for left retirement. If he retires now he will receive approx. $200 a week...and he is a professional working for a very famous company. The stock investment through the company has not only not yielded anything, it has gone in the hole.

Personally at age 81, am not too worried as can still work part time as an RN. However, my four "Baby Boomers" might have a time with the economy declining, whether Pres. Bush agrees or not. Hopefully they are putting back a nest egg as I'm spending my kids inheritance. Enjoy your show and viewpoints. Una

I came to the United States in 1984. My husband was military. For the first time I heard about "la Zona" from my friends in the military (my husband served for 22 years USA Army) who were either from Panama or who had family in this country. Frankly, the people from the "zona" thought there were better than the rest of the coutrymen just by being "americano de nacimiento". So, Hispanics (and who do you include?) Mexican-Americans can vote, but Puerto-Ricans (US citizens by birth, but not eligible to vote for a president).. and the "association of race" is more "afro-centric".. then the rest of Latin America? My first encounter to a Mexican family in Fort Stewart, G.A. : Nosotros estamos todos Caucasian". (the Caucasus in europe.. they have people like Brechniev and people of brown complection). Well, so far for the US to say "be all you can be". (they should have added: as long your race, gender and religion suites us). Bonne chance, les Etats-Unis

Retire?? Who's gonna retire?? I've been in the workforce for 43 years, never been fired or even seriously disciplined. My first IRA tanked after the Enron scam, so I invested in an addition for my house. Before I had a chance to build the equity in that back up I was downsized TWICE, being forced to sacrifice the house in order to relocate to somewhere else where there were actual jobs. Now my current house has lost value and I don't have enough good years left in me to build a new IRA to a decent level. So all I am now is a poster child for the war on the middle class. One of millions.

I am VERY concerned, not only for retirement but whether or not I'll be able to buy gas tomorrow, groceries next week and pay my heating, electric, and water bills this month! I won't even get into debt payments. Things are getting worse and I believe that we need to start preparing for the worse while continuing to hope that it won't get as bad as we feel in our guts it will.

Dear Jack,
My husband and I have been concerned about when we will be able to retire for the last year. Since December I have been unemployed, the economy seems to be getting worse each month and we are more concerned than ever! I am 60 and my husband will be in October. It is very stressful at this time, wondering if we will have to work into our 70's before we can retire. Our 401Ks are still much too small and I don't forsee much improvement any time soon. Thanks for asking.
Lois

Retire? It doesn't look good, I'll likely be even older than Jack Cafferty is now before I could even consider it.

I am 62, and will probably work at least 2 more years than previously planned because of the economic downturn. I think that President Bush's retirement should be the average retirement benefit of all Americans. Would he even then have any idea what percentage of our earnings go to health care, tuition bills, filling our cars with gas?

Mari
St. Paul, MN

VERY VERY CONCERNED JACK!! Everything is going UP, except the workers salary. How are we as Americans going to be able to survive? Yes I am very concerned as to whether I will have the assets to live on or will I have to retire from my present job and then take a part time job at Wal-Mart, Wendys, McDonalds, K-Mart or Domino's Pizza or have to pump gas late at night at a gas station. I have seen too many elderly people having to work in stores like this where I live here in New Jersey. Its ashame and its very disheartening to see people have worked all their lives and now have nothing to live on. Its ashame that so many of us have to seek other employment besides our day job, some working 2-3 other jobs just to make ends meet. I guess our government officials won't have to worry, they have wonderful salaries, good medical coverage and will have the life of Riley.

How blind can everyone be? Industry sees another souce of revenue and they're going after it, all the Boomers savings. Big business knows if they put the squeeze on the children of Baby Boomers the young adults will be bailed out by their parents, that being the Boomer's and their savings. The powers to be want it all and they're going to get it.

Once again we have a Bush in charge and it's the economy STUPID!

The so called 'American Dream' has been turned into a commody by consumer driven baby boomers who will do anything to return to the select, exclusive values of the 50s. The whole country is in hock and the only thing that keeps our life from being completely Orweallean are the cynics and those who love our Constitution and Bill of Rights. Fight for it to apply to everyone and be willing to sacrifice everything for real freedom.

I am 63 and as of last year disabled. My ss benifit is less than $2000 per month and my total medical is between $1100 and $1200 per month. I have to learn fuzzy math just to eat.

Jack

I am a 55 yr old woman who did everything the "right way". I worked all my life, raised three kids, put two thru college and still managed to own my own home on and put a few dollars away in the bank.

Then I made one BIG mistake – I got sick!

So far I have spent over 1/2 million dollars on my medical care. The house is gone – the 75 acres surrounding it – are gone – my savings are gone. My illness unfortunately is here to stay.

I don't have anything now nevermind in my retirement years. Universal healthcare will come too late for me.

Guess I should start stockpiling cat food now.

I'm just starting in the work force and will retire around 2050. I'm not worried at all; by that time the world will be a utopia, robots will produce every necessity, the average work week will be 5 hours, and unemployment through the use of automation will be thought of as a good thing.

Jack,

At 46 years young, I'm scared to death that no matter how much I invest in my 401K (15% of my gross income a year...Ouch!) I will out live my money and then what will happen to me?
Furthermore, any financial analyst who's advice is to calculate an overall average of 8% growth on your lifetime investment needs their head examined!

Retirement? I can no longer find this word in my dictionary.
The way things are going I'll be late to my own funeral, working 'till the last minute.

Yes I am totally worried. My property taxes are 400 a month and my health care cost are 700 a month. How can I retire? After owning a business for 40 years my house is paid off and I saved my money! i I am still going to be in worse shape at 65 with no bills than I was at 50 paying a monthly mortgage. What about me I make over 50 thousand a year in interest on money I worked hard for and saved for my retirement. Obama sure leaves me out doesn't he?

Given our country's current clueless leadership ... aw ... where's my antacid.

Jack,
Thanks to Bush running our economy and nearly everything else into the ground, I know that I will work until I die. With prices of everything from oil to college tuition going up, what's going to stop this? Hopefully our next president will be able to do a good thing for our economy for a change. Until then, I'm moving to China, at least I can make something there.

Retirement. what retirement. im 25 a full time student and work 3 jobs just to support myself. i cant imagine what this counrty is going to be in when i retire. wait there wont be retirement anymore. It will be work till you die.

Jack,
I'm only 23 years old and already have a 6-figure undergrad and gradschool debt. Am I worried about retirement? I probably would be if I could even think that far ahead! I understand the economy cycles, but this administration has completely failed this country – definitely its students. I love how the Secretary of Education touts "continued support of higher education," pointing out that total federal aid funding has not decreased for 7 years. But when you consider the rate of inflation and the rising costs of higher education, they sure as hell haven't kept up! The only way I'll be able to pay back my school loans during my lifetime will be to become a corporate lawyer. Just what this country needs...

Why not make retirement a private affair and not a government one. We are way to centralized. Maybe someone should finally listen to Ron Paul.

Retirement? What retirement? I feel that I will have to work till my last dying breathe. With rising health care costs, inflation, falling property values, rising national debt, the war in Iraq, how will any American be able to retire? Of course, we have the Bush/Cheney regime to thank for the sorry state of affairs in the United States. In addition, I worked in the private sector for over twenty years. Now I am a teacher. Because I am a teacher the administration has cut my Social Security benefits by 50%. How is that fair? I worked hard for those benefits, and feel that I deserve them as much as the next person. Retirement? I don't think so!

Retirement??? I'm 44 with three kids making a combined income of less the $70,000 a year. How can I even think about retirement?? I worry about retiring to bed each night having to wake up to the bills and debt getting bigger every day. Retirement??? I think that is a lost dream of middle class America. Let us see if we can make it to even be able to give our kids a chance at college before we even begin thinking about retirement. Retirement????? What a joke.

Jack: I am 72 years old and working a part time job that nets about 400 a month. My social secruity is about 600 a month. I was forced into the working world at age 45 having been a stay at home mom raising five children. I was traded in for a seventeen year old. I went to college and got a master's degree at age 53 in mental health, now working with young probation kids. No none in the mental health arena considers kids important to spend money on. Not only do I worry about enough money to live on, but the condition of the young people who have no future according to them,do not care about getting old. Most express a desire to end their existance.at any time; one reason they are smoking,pot doing drugs to escape their bleek life.

This is a big concern, especially in Maine! When you have people choosing between medicine, heat, food, its Obvious what younger people are worrying about? Whats going on? HELLO!!! Shake up the goverment and tell them to get off their collective behinds busy fixing our country!!!
Kevin -MAINE

il be most likely dead for a long time before i could afford to retire im sure my family will have funeral paid off a few years or so after im gone

No where in the Bible does it say anything about retiring. Moses was 80 years old when he started the trip accross the desert and that lasted 40 years. I still work and I am 74, just look around and see all those that age that cannot work.

In a recent interview, President Bush scoffed at the American people's concerns about the economy. He said that we are merely in a slow down because we have "built too many houses." He said "the Iraq War is helping this economy." I am very worried if John McCain becomes President and continues this line of thinking.

I know I’m not answering your question Jack but could some one please tell Mrs. Buchanan that it is quite impossible to have “Muslim blood” considering that religion is not hereditary and isn’t passed from generation to generation genetically; religions is simply a state of mind, a philosophical approach to life. This is just another example of the Republican Party trying to appeal to the current fear and hatred associated with the Muslim religion, it’s time for the American people to wake up and gain some tolerance or this kind of campaigning will never end.

I am worried about the environment, terrorist attack, corrupt and incompetent leaders, apathetic youth, crime, racism and the wrong person- again- being elected as our next president.

You ask me if I'm concerned about a retirement that at best is thirty or more years out of my reach?

Jack, you warm my heart with your sense of humor. Besides, with my health insurance, I don't plan on living that kind of forever.

We retired three years ago and figured if we lived frugally, we'd be fine - so we're paying attention. Those who say we are not in a recession now are NOT paying attention. We are trapped within rising prices, disappearing insurance and exhorbitant taxes and levies. I see the day coming when we may not be able to drive across town much less travel to see our children. This administration is not only the worst in history, it is perhaps a swan song of sorts. We can only hope the next president and Congress includes geniuses and statesmen the like of which we have not seen since 1776.

I am retired and I am sweating already. I live in the west with miles and miles between me and the grocery store and how in hell am I supposed to pay for the groceries and the gas.

Jack,
Americans should be worried...the "financial crisis" is code speak for the largest redistribution of wealth from working Americans in history. The predatory and corrupt practices of Wallstreet and the banking system was facilitated and encouraged by the Treasury, Federal Reserve and White House. In order to bring the "rest of world" living standards up, American's and other industrialized nations, must go down...you can't tell people they will make less money, you you can devalue their money and deflate their assets through the use of "fiat" currencies, weak dollars through lower interest rates. Our forefathers knew this, thus the Constitutional Amendent against "paper" money, but greed encouraged law makers to look the other way. One day we will all wake up, penniless and landless as Thomas Jefferson predicted because of this "financial system" that favors only the elite. Those who worked and saved find out in retirement when they need it most, that their money is worth half what is use to be! All Americans should be not only worried, but outraged enough to do something about this mess.

Neither my husband or I expect to ever retire. After losing one job to the economy and frequent layoffs on the new jobs that have only 1/3 the take home pay, we no longer put money into our 401Ks. I find it amusing that politicians debate whether we are heading toward recession. If you work or had worked in manufacturing trades in this investor economy, the question has become are we on the edge of a depression.

Very worried, but not nearly as much as for my children and grandchildren. When people realize what government has done to social sercuity, the social conservative politicians might want to rethink their support of the 2nd ammendment rights.

apparently mr cafferty, mr bush must be another world, are he is dillusional about this country not about to go into recession.
but back to this issue on retirement under this bush administration,
I plan to retire when I am 160 years old.

worried? I'm a 39 year old white male, who, is losing his house to foreclosure. In seven years, I might be able to get another one, but at that point, who cares. I'll would pay on this new house til I die or go into a assisted living facility, thats when my good government will take the new house and use it to pay my bills, then go on government assisstance. worried? not here, the government will take care of me one way or the other. good or bad

Jack, I wish you were kidding about this. My husband and I are in our late 50's, middle class, and we do not expect we will EVER be able to retire - and I'm NOT kidding.

Not worried. I'm 24, live below my means, stay away from all debt on non-appreciating assets, and have put 15% of my gross paycheck towards retirement from the first day I was eligible for my 401k.

If this country could just learn the very basic concept that spending more than you earn is unsustainable we would be in a much better position. Granted, this is a lesson our government needs to learn as well!

Of course it matters. The constitution says "Native Born", and that is the way it is. How can anyone look at this situation and say it doesn't matter ? Eliminate the "native born" with a constitutional amendment and see what happens ! The Constitution is the Constitution. It was not put together with the idea that it can be changed on a whim.

Frankly, I'm not able to even think about retirement. Under this current administration/ John McCain, I'm more worried about making it next year. I have to spend so much money making it day to day that retirement belongs in a fantasy world with Froddo Baggins. He has a better chance at retirement than I do.

Are we worried about having enough money in our retirement?

We are already retired but I can assure people that they should be worried. You can do everything right but the circumstances can change dramatically. In the seven years since George Bush came into office, the stocks and bonds fell so much in the early years that my husbands retirement plan was losing $11K a week. He had to retire at 55 due to disability. The retirement money didn't last a decade. We tried to sell our home and borrowed off the equity to stay there until it sold. After a year and a half, it didn't sell and we lost it. It was our major investment. All three of our kids lost their jobs, filed bankruptcy and tapped out their retirement plans to survive. Two of them are renting a house with us and one is unemployed again when the corporation downsized with the recession we are not supposed to be in. This is not were any of them expected to be in their forties. My husband and I live on his social security.

In the early part of 2000, our children all had good jobs, we had a comfortable income and we were living in the home we built with our own hands. Those were the good old days. Now we worry about the escalating costs of medicine, oil and food. Those are things seniors can't avoid paying. We are ready for a change. Our grandchildren also are struggling and can't afford college. We have to now make one tank of gas stretch a whole month so even trips to the doctor and pharmacy have to be planned in so we don't make any wasted trips. It is possible to survive but just barely.

No doubt about it, I believe I will be working up until the time of my death. Maybe I will have been fortunate enough to go to part-time status. My other alternative is to sell my home here and retire to a 3rd world country with a favorable exchange rate and low cost of living. I'm still decades away from any decision or action, but right now sure don't see the option of ceasing to work and staying where I am, even though the mortgage will be paid off by then.

I'm a "Union Carpenter" and luckily I should receive a pension once I retire. So if the wacko's in Washington don't figure out a way to take that money I should be good. With social security "if it stay's solvent" and along with anything I can manage to have in my pocket I should be better. However if I can manage to survive long enough to actually reach that age, I'll be lucky , So if all goes well, I should be okay, and if a frog had wings, he wouldn't skin his (you know what) every time he jumped. In other words I'm up (you know what )creek without a paddle.

If I had been able to save every penny I made during the first 10 years I worked, maybe, just maybe, barring expensive medical needs, I could make it for about 5 years in todays economic environment. This assumes I own my home, car, etc. and live very frugally. Sorry state of affairs and not very "up beat", but true none the less.

Linda in Ocala, FL

Jack, let's get real!
The last group of people who could "retire" meaning living without working were my parents, and I am a Baby Boomer.
Let's look at some numbers. Say you made $5,000/mo working. Now your Social Security will be about $1,500mo. IF you have a pension, let's say it comes to $1,500mo leaving you $2,000 month short. To make up the short fall, the person would need about $600,000 invested at 4%, a reasonable rate of return at this point. That does not include the $214,000 he is going to need to pay out of pocket medical costs during retirement, bringing his cash needs to $814,000! How many truck drivers are walking around with that kind of cash? Oh, I forgot, he is going to need twice that by the time he dies because the cost of living will double in 20 years!
Retirement? Fugeddaboutit! Bill

Should people be concerned? YES.-At best , retirees need just as much money as people in activity. Be prepared. Learn to be frugal and save as much as you can. Pay off all debts. If it is still time to invest in a pension, do it. Do not count on your children: they are broke, they buy what they cannot afford with credit cards; very likely ,you will have to rescue them and maybe shelter them. Health insurance, drugs are costly; do every thing you can to stay healthy and hope for the best.
I know. I am an octogenarian. Jacqueline San Diego, CA.

Worried about retirement? No! That's because I'm too busy worrying about the rising cost of filling up my gas tank, finding (and keeping) a job with benefits, paying for health care in between time, and paying back student loans. I'd love to worry about retirement and start contributing now, but if the country keeps heading in the same direction I'll be on my death bed before I could contribute anything more than a red cent. I've been told our generation will have to work until we die...but many of us can't even find jobs!
Of course President Bush doesn't believe we're in a recession, he flies Air Force One everywhere he goes. But ask the thousands of people who have to choose which bills they can pay each month...that's the real story.

Atlanta, GA

Outsourcing of jobs, uncertainty in the stock and housing market, billions (and counting) committed to a war that should have never been sanctioned. To make matters worse, an administration that maintains an unwillingness to establish a rapport with many world leaders in an effort to demonstrate its proposed dominance while neglecting the possibility of free trade, the open market and global prosperity.

Why should we be concerned with retiring when our financial underpinnings such a model of stability?

Jack, I've been retired since 1990. I thought I had plenty of cushion to enjoy retirement comfortably. However, the way gasoline prices and all other living expenses have outstriped our income I doubt we will be able to have any discretionary funds for much longer. I'm 70 and may have to go back to work! So much for the "golden years".

Jack,

I'm not concerned that I won't have enough money when I retire! I know I won't have enough.

My retirement is gone now, I'm 48. My retirement was devastated when the Communications Industry took the big hit. A company I worked for when NAFTA was signed closed the manufacturing floor and sent the jobs south before the ink was dry. I then used what was left over to start my own communications company which we then closed because of the Adelphia bankruptcy.

Oh well, just have to work till I die.

Dave, Central PA

I am very concerned about the Wall Street Casino manage my 401K retirement plan and Washington DC parasites making law to disconnect my last life line. All together embezzle my future and share profit in obscene fashion. Once they complete this crime their next step is to invest my Social Security and do the same. I didn't even mention crime involved taxes I pay, which are used to make bullets to kill instead of medication pills to save life.

Ben
Clifton Park, NY

Well Jack, it's official! If President Bush said we're not in a recession, then that's proof positive that we are. Any more of this type of economic leadership in the white house and we'll really need a border fence.............to keep the working poor IN the country.

Please don't use my name other than S.

Jack,
No recession? This psuedo president should live a day in my shoes. I am a Catholic high school teacher. I realize I made that choice, but I struggle with bills, gas prices, food, etc. Bush continues to live in a fantasy world about what "real people" in this country endure. I'd like to see him grade the essays and research papers I have - oh, I forgot, he doesn't read much and his grammar is a joke. It's nice he gets to go to bed early. I am up grading usually until midnight.
No recession? Get therapy for the pathetic excuse of a president.

From IL

i'm passed worried ,I'm retired. If I wasn't married in 4 years I'd be half way broke.,( the other half of my retirement I'm unable to touch until i'm 59). With today higher cost of living the only saving grace I have is marriage, 6 months left on my car note, and 6 years left on our house payment. If we don't get a change relief in America and stick to the same political nightmare i'm afraid I won't be able to count on that. Trembling in fear to survive in America.

Retirement?

I have a 401k, but if the market keeps taking, I will have to work till they cart me away. And I can forget about collecting any social security.

I am responsible for my own retirement and quality of living in this lifetime, Jack, just like you and every other American is in their life. If anyone is concerned that they’ll not have enough money when they retire, then I suggest that they review their lives and make some immediate changes to their own lifestyles to acquire a good quality of living, in their golden years. I don't know how much "greed" has influenced every individual's perception of "the good quality of living", as I am sure it has its different levels, but it most certainly can be acquired, in this lifetime.

You need to stop Bashing Hillary, and I think we all get the point you hate her.

Thank you,
Dar
Michigan

I'm in survival mode. I'm just trying to stay on the payroll and provide for my family for the next year. Retirement is way down on the list.

I am worried about medical costs. Pharmaceutical company profits mirror that of the oil companies. One maker of only ONE of my medicines, posted over a 30 billion dollar profit, last year on this medication alone. How much does it cost to make it?

Not at all......Obama will eliminate the cap on Social Security taxes and the younger folks will take care of us in the over 60 category. Of course, there wont be anything left for them when they want to retire so they had better learn to save, max out their IRAs, stay out of adjustable rate mortages, quit charging on credit cards, get used to higher taxes, and generally learn to be satisfied with a lot less.....or vote Republican.

Yes Jack I am very concerned about retirement! Social Security looks as though It won't survive my generation; After 20 years with USAirways they were allowed to dump my pention, and me, the constant fool, decided to put all my eggs into one basket and invest in my home, then got caught up in one of these screwy loans and am now most likely going to loose it. I'm curious, with a small percentage of washington and wall street trying to avert panic by denying the actuality of a Recession, will they ever be able to recognize the switch in the R & C to a D & P + r when they seem to have lost all recognition of either of their meanings?

Am I afraid of what my retirement will bring. Uh....YEAH!!! Here I am, a 34 year old student and single mother. Mine is an incredibly common situation. Even with a significant savings, without working, how will I live. Provided I live another 25 or 35 years? Will I have enough? To answer your question, yes I have a reputable broker. I just don't think it will be enough after I pay my daughter's tuition and support a mortgage. My solution? Save as much as I can and retire in a third world tropical country. I'll be taking my money with me...

My reverse mortgage had made the difference for me in my retirement. Coupled with Social Security and small income from occasional work, I'm in decent shape provided I don't live too, too long.

PS Please ask Wolf to call me (3013308154) so we can discuss Buffalo/Hertel Ave, where each of our dads had small businesses back in the day.

Jack,
Living in a McMansion doesn't make a retirement plan. If you are not living a disciplined lifestyle, and saving money for retirement, then you have no one to blame but yourself. The other day, I saw a bumper sticker that sums it up better than me: "Want less".

John
Hilton Head, SC

I've been retired for five years from the State of Georgia with over 30 years service. . .now the Governor of my state is cutting state retirees cost of living increases and our health benefits are on the "chop block" too . . . my deferred compensation 457 took a noise dive about five or so years before I retired and it has taken until last year to regain the amount I loss at that time. . . . that is until the recent drop on Wallstreet and now I'm below where I was ten years ago. In other words I can't count on my 457 either!

Jack,

I'm 53 and sole support formy wife and our 5 year old daughter. I've been partially disabled by an industrial accident and downsized by the Fortune 50 company where it happened. I make half what I used to make while food and fuel is twice what it used to be. Along those lines, my house is now worth about half of what it used be worth before all my neighbors lost their homes to foreclosures and my group health care premium is twice the cost it was last year.

Are you serious? Am I worried that I won't have enough money when I retire? I don't have enough money now!

Richard in Columbus

Jack,

I'm very concerned. My grandfather is 92 and has been retired for 30 years. He made $10 an hour when he retired and has no money worries. He bought a new car every 2 to 3 years as well as 2 homes while he worked. My dad is 70 and has lived a middle class life free of money worries. I'm a teacher, age 45. I've never had a new car, buying groceries and gas gets harder all the time, and my retirement savings are not anywhere near supporting me for 30 years after retirement. I certainly don't see myself retiring before age 65. We live in a great country, but it's going to be a rough ride for many people retiring in the coming decades. The good old days are over.

-Mike Christian, Oklahoma City

As uneasy as the ability to retire can be right now off in the "working world", imagine how it is on the outside looking in. I'm a Political Science major at UC Santa Barbara and when it comes to issues such as social security, interest rates on college loans and deteriorating housing prices, our teachers don't even attempt to give an answer. Instead, they just shrug and say "good luck".

Although both my husband and I have been fortunate to participate in non-matching 401 Ks, our employer pension plans have either been frozen or will not meet needs upon retirement. With the recent declines in the economy and housing, our 401 Ks have seen substantial decline also. I don't believe anyone in the middle class, let alone those without benefits to rely on, feels that there will ever be "enough" money for retirement.

Welcome to the American Dream of the future - work until you drop.

Jack,

As a 28 year-old professional, I don't plan on ever seeing my SS cash when I come of age. It's just not going to happen...it can't happen. Bush can promise until he's blue in the face but it doesn't make it any more true. Our leaders have shown abhorrent judgment when it comes to our nation's finances. I'm not going to leave my fate up to them, it would be irresponsible. I contribute to a 401k, Roth IRA, and private portfolio...I want to retire someday.

Jack,
This is all getting ridiculous! Bush, the Republican Party, and the possible Republican nominee Senator McCain all say that the Bush surge in Iraq is succeeding. Another monster stretch of the truth. The news media is not making much of the fact that much of the success of Bush's surge is due to the fact that the Shiite leader Sadr told his followers to adhere to a 6 months cease fire and just recently announced another 6 months of cease fire, thus a huge cut in violence in Baghdad and surrounding areas. Thus the Bush lies and misrepresentations of the facts continue. Pres. Clinton lied about having an affair and was put up for impeachment, Bush lied and manipulated the intelligence services to get us into an illegal war in Iraq, but that is not grounds for impeachment? The moral values of America as dictated by the Republicans I guess.

Retirement? Sir, I'm writing to you from Austin, Texas. I pay over $2 for a dozen eggs, $4 for a gallon of milk, over $3 for a gallon of gas. I have no health insurance, because I get a child support check even though I'm a divorced mom, taking care of two children with autism and the American housewife was the first to go out of the American dream. Get real, America. We are living on Monopoly money. I don't believe anyone will ever retire comfortably because we cannot possibly pay back all the paper money we have used in Iraq.

I worry some but that makes life short, I have already worked for a retirement plan. I have a small Vacation home I will move into and i will sell or give the family home to my kids when i retire.

Other then that, i plan to leave this world with a candy bar in one hand a glass of wine in the other, body used up, totally worn out and screaming woohoo what a ride!

My only question is: If you asked this question to our members of congress, what would their answer be?

I already know that we will not have enough money to have a "blow out" retirement, but I think we will be okay. I am just as concerned about the nation's aging infrastructure, continued overly nationalistic foreign policies, continued dependence on oil, growing illiteracy, growing dependence on China for manufactured goods, and our growing jail population all of which are calling America's continuing insistence that we are the greatest country in the world into question.

What worries me most about my retirement is when I see the 70 and 80 year-olds greeting people at Wal-mart.

I'm not concerned about retirement. I know that I won't be able to retire. I've worked and been laid off from several different industries that more or less dried up in the US, Steel and Semiconductor Manufacturing.

Due to extended unemployment, I have needed the money that I did receive while I was working to pay debts accrued while I was unemployed. Therefor I was unable to save much. Also due to lay-offs I was unable to build any pension or retirment plans from any company that I worked for.

I'm sixty and worrying about the job that I have now too!

My husband retired two years ago and with all that has happened since, we are worried about the money. Bush has wasted billions and given tax breaks to the rich and big business. Obama promises change but haven't heard a word about what these changes are. Clinton is a hard worker and times under former President Clinton were great. Seems to us that the white males are afraid that a woman president might show them up in Washington and change things for the better. We need Clinton in office to balance the budget, clean up the little boys club in Washington, DC, and make sure that social security, pensions, medicare, and all the benefits that we seniors and retired people have earned and should be able to enjoy without any worries.

well, with my current status without health insurance, chances are I won't live long enough to worry about retirement. i'm not a negative, just pragmatic.

He is a natural born citizen. The constitution doesn't say that he has to be born in the United States only be natural born which he is since his parents were citizens which gives him citizenship automatically.

Jack, you don't know your own history. FDR was born on Campobello Island in Canada. To legitimitize his running for President, the Canadian govt offered to change the status of the island to joint Canada/US territory. That was done and explains the long friendship between FDR and William Lyon Mackenzie King, Canada's Prime Minister at the time. John Johnston, Fort Erie, Canada

If McCain is officially an American citizen, the point is moot. I'm certain that he had no more of a voice in the decision of where he was born than he did who his parents were.

If there is a legal precedent here, watch out for The "Governator" Arnold.

I strongly think that the economy will not be prepared for my retirementor my future generations retirement.

If Obama were born in Panama he would not be allowed to run for President even though his mother was a US citizen. There seems to be a double standard. Does the rule only apply if you are a person of color! The RNC would be all over this if it were the other way around. Want proof? Obama has been the only presidential nominee to have his loyalty to America questioned, not Clinton or McCain.

I don't think this is an issue at all. The man is a war hero who just happened to have been born overseas to an active duty family. As a Naval retiree and a registered Democrat, I welcome men and women of such character and patriotism.

Absolutely does. It matters because what the constitiution does means.

Unless we elect a saint or a magician to the White House, then retirement will be a bit far down the list of worries for many people. Am I right.??????

Yes I am worried about having enough money to retire, but I am going to be 67 years old this year and I am going to try it. I have worked most of my like, except for about 8 years untill both my girls went to school. I am good health and I would like to be able to do a few things, but money is going to be a problem. Where I work raises have not been given in 2 years, so I am already behind, gas, food, electricty and everything else is causing a problem with my budget, Will probably have to get a part-time job.
M. LaBonte Uncasville, CT