FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
So much for the golden years. A new survey shows one fourth, 25% of middle-class Americans, say they plan to delay retirement until at least 80.
That's two years longer than most people in this country live.
It's just another depressing effect of this economy - where unemployment, stock market swings and plunging home prices have taken a huge toll on many Americans' savings.
The Wells Fargo retirement survey shows on average, Americans have only saved 7% of the retirement money they hoped to put aside.
Survey respondents had a median savings of $25,000 while their median retirement savings goal was $350,000.
It gets worse.
About one-third of those surveyed in their 60s had saved less than $25,000 for retirement. Easy to see why retiring at the traditional 65 is a pipe dream for millions of Americans.
Experts say having large numbers of middle class Americans working past 65 raises many questions. Like, will people be physically and mentally able to work as they age? And what will it mean for young people entering the workforce?
Meanwhile another new study on the vanishing middle class helps explain why many Americans plan to work into their 80s.
Consider this: In 2007, 44% of families lived in middle class neighborhoods - that's down from 65% in 1970.
And almost a third of families lived in either rich or poor neighborhoods in 2007... that number is up from 15% in 1970.
In other words, the great middle class neighborhoods that used to define this country are disappearing.
Here’s my question to you: What does it mean when a quarter of middle class Americans plan to work until 80, longer than most people live?
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
Jim in Denver:
Jack, It means the American Dream of earning a decent living and living with respect is about dead. The 99% of us who are working stiffs are going to have to scrape by while the people at top "eat cake." This is not what my father fought for in WWII, and worked hard during his life to give me a chance to do better than he did. I'm working hard to give to my child the same things my father gave me, but I think I don't have a fair chance now to do that. And all I want is a fair chance, I'll do the rest.
Ted:
They are losing faith in the system to provide a return on the promise of government and see the political environment unwilling to make the decisions to fix the problems.
Nate in North Carolina:
Jack, It shows that overwhelming responsibility is causing people to acquiesce to the changes being imposed upon them. They no longer fight because at the end of the day they still have to figure out whether to try to get out of debt, start a new career path, or find some way to feed their family for the week. Even if that means working until they are 80.
Ted:
Jack, This must be the change the president said was coming. Too bad there is no Lemon Law for our elected officials.
Shelby in Pittsburgh:
It means fast-food orders will still be incorrect and we will wait in drive-thru lines longer than it will take the Super Committee to mutually agree to cut anything.
Noe:
Hey Jack, Republicans in office and the 1 percent aren't going to have to work that long so they don't care.... Good luck with them helping us out with that.