What Happens When Social Security's Trust Funds Run Out?

Motley Fool ^ | 06/22/2018 | Maurie Backman

[zeestephen]

Re: “What return did a non-stock 401k get, as compared to the stock-based 401k?”

A 401K that invested just in U.S. Treasury bonds would keep up with inflation or a little bit higher.

A 401K that invested in corporate or municipal bonds would pay a couple points higher, but they have default risk, too, which could impact your total return.

Stocks have the most risk, so their return is usually the highest.

But, timing is everything.

If your stocks have the misfortune to encounter a deep Bear Market (2000-01 and 2008-09) at the end of your working career, which is what happened to many, many of us oldsters at Free Republic, there is really no way to recover all your retirement savings, unless you are willing to take significant financial risks in your old age.

[Brilliant]

I mean at the ballot box.

[zeestephen]

Re: “I would start seriously looking into retirement in some of the expat communities in very low cost of living areas.”

It is always important to remember that you are not eligible for Medicare if you live outside the USA.

[cherry]

"Do welfare and food stamps ever run short?"

and how about govt pensions?....nothing ever seems to happen to our govt workers...its bad enough that they don't pay taxes as it is..

[BunnySlippers]

OK, agreed.

But what dumb fool waits until age 50 to start saving for retirement?