There is huge liability in living to be old. Sure, work hard, save money for old age, and get old, there's a stash of funds.<p>But even a million bucks has got to last the rest of your life, and who knows, my aunt is 100 years old, and still going. Retire at, let's say 70, and figure it out, will that stash last up to 30 years?<p>Do the math, taking out taxes at 25%, that's $25000/year. With social security, around $4000/month, just an estimate. How wealthy is that? Is it really even adequate?<p>Consider what happens with age: people get sick, bodies deteriorate, it's natural. Go to the ER, have an MRI, a hospital stay, whatever, it can be thousands out of pocket, even with medicare + insurance.<p>With serious illness, that million bucks can go fast. And even if there is good health care to be found, which is dubious, it's still scary and a constantly threatening reality.<p>Don't forget the house payments, computer gear and all the other normal stuff one needs to buy. If the house is paid up, chances are it's an old house and will need repair. Price out what a new roof or furnace costs (I've had to replace both in the last couple of years).<p>OK I'm old but I still go to work, though I can't do that forever. Call it what you will, I have a wealth of experience, accomplishment, family and great friends, but not a princely cache of money. Many old citizens are in a far more precarious position as financial security goes. I hope no one thinks it's a trivial concern.