Housing Bubble 2: Return of the Ugly

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Baby boomers living on $1,000 a month in Social Security share their retirement experience: 'I never imagined being in this position.' (www.businessinsider.com)

submitted 1 month ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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[–] Tar_alcaran 38 points 1 month ago (2 children)

Hambrick had a long career in the manufacturing and hospitality industries but retired in the early 2010s with limited savings. Her husband has been caring for sick relatives for the past several years and doesn't have an income. Additionally, he's 57, and his Social Security check won't kick in until he's at least 62.

So they retired when he was 45ish, and now we're supposed to feel sorry for their poor choices? Out of all the bad stories in this article these two can go fuck themselves.

[–] [email protected] 9 points 1 month ago (1 children)

This is America. The guy could be broken from those jobs but can't qualify for assistance.

Maybe he's just lazy. Maybe you're not creative enough to come up with a plausible reason for his actions. Both seem equally likely to me.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago) (1 children)

I get what you’re saying, but retirement is a number in your bank account, not an age. Also, if you cannot work due to disability, you’re on disability, not retired. They are completely different animals. If they are disabled they need to push for disability. It’s not easy to get, but it’s better than wallowing in financial limbo.

If people literally retire with insufficient finances it’s a bad decision.

You’re right, we don’t know their health circumstances, but at face value these folks don’t seem like the best decision makers.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 month ago

I agree. But I also wish disability was as sensible as you say. Plenty of people fall through the cracks.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 month ago (1 children)

Are there even 57 year old boomers? 57 years old means born ~1967. Wouldn't that be Gen X? I know generational divides aren't rigid but I feel like 22 years after ww2 ended is not part of the post-war baby boom.

Poor gen x, forgotten again.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 month ago

Getting overlooked and lumped in with their parent's generation in a discussion about poor fiscal/political decisions, is the most gen-x thing ever.