Common Cents

Abstract

Your father's father likely worked 40 years to prepare for a retirement lasting just a few (say 4 years). Actually, back then, one's final illness often equated to one's retirement! In any event, retirement income security just a few generations ago was not the issue it has now become.

And chances are that the years your son's son may live after retiring will number more (perhaps far more) than the years he worked! What is this inevitable seismic shift in demographics likely to mean to our grand-children and country? As wise men teach, this problem may be an opportunity in disguise. For if we focus sharply on our retirement problem, and its seven basic causes, we will discover that an uncomplicated CURE is self-evident, and furthermore, is absolutely sustainable economically even if we live forever!

All that is needed is for we the people to simply change, and to change simply. At the core, we must summon the mental strength, wisdom, and resolve to lead a morally virtuous life, and thus inspire others to do likewise, as so many of our Founders envisioned. By so doing we will reap a financial harvest and moral bounty during our Golden Years that is there for the taking. How? By first rationally exercising our God given common sense, and then secondly, by being both clearheaded and foresighted with our hard earned Common Cents.

Keywords: 401(k), retirement, ERISA, defined contribution, fiduciary

JEL Classification: C53, D31, D63, E21, G18, G23, G28, J26, K00