Thanks for writing this, it is much needed. SSD and/or social security payments alone are barely enough to live on. I feel especially for retired women who made less income in general, worked fewer years due to childcare responsibilities and lose their husbands’ income due to illness, death or divorce. Once well off and able to manage their bills, they are forced into a life of staying home, not spending, choosing between meds and food. It is not a pretty picture. I advised all my grandkids to get an IRA started at an early age and contribute to it automatically, even a little bit could make a difference. Some jobs with pensions are better choices, but not many of those left. Often you are stuck working a job you hate simply for the pension. Ugh. Like my dad used to say “Save your money”