QuoteHigher costs aren't an ongoing energy crisis, certainly not for you, me or RE. For poor people, every change in prices is a crisis,
I am not exactly what your point is. Fact is Americans do not have enough on average to provide long term security for themselves. Living in a tent at 80 is not where I want to be. How much does the average American need to make sure that does not happen. Whatever the number is most Americans don't have it. Working part time makes that less likely. It significantly plugs up the drain and tops off the tank.
The average retirement balance for a 65-year-old is roughly $609,000 in America, but the median is only $200,000. A small percentage of Americans have millions, but the majority of Americans are far from having it made in the shade. And health care can break an average American at any time.