I would like to be compassionate, but at the same time it is painfully obvious to me that most people do not do anything near what they could in support of future security. The vast majority of people have a surprising range of things they absolutely refuse to sacrifice for their long term benefit, and yet act as though it was beyond their control when hardship happens. People do not have savings because they spend vast quantities of money on frivolous things, and they stay in poverty because they are unable to sacrifice all those frivolous things even when they cannot afford them. I've lived maybe half my adult life in poverty, and have seen this pattern over and over again. And I do not exclude myself from this criticism; I could have been in a much less marginal financial position in times past if I had been wiser with my money and recognized unjustified luxuries when I saw them.
Most people experience severe hardship at least once in their life, it is normal. It is a transient state for many people, and for most of the rest, it is because they are unwilling to sacrifice whatever lifestyle they are accustomed to, no matter how meager, or to make hard life changes that would benefit them. Yes, some people just get really unlucky, but the vast majority of the cases you cite could have been largely or entirely mitigated by a little sacrifice and sane financial management. Refusing to make hard sacrifices is not the same as being unable to make hard sacrifices, and make no mistake in most cases it is a history of refusal rather than inability.
The excuses are flowing far too easily here. If people were smarter about their finances many of these issues would have their impact mitigated, turning them into just another one of life's bumps.
My problem is I don't know how much cash we will need coming in. I don't need to be rich but I darn sure don't want to be poor. Just comfortable. Food. Gas. Utilities. Taxes. My husband is older and I'm trying to get him to retire first. We can go from there.