[dredmorbius]

Just for a little context, fewer than half of Americans even have access to a 401(k)

Yep. That's going to be a problem.

Even many of those who do have a 401(k) (or equivalent) are subject to market losses, insufficient funding, interrupted employment (how many 30-40 somethings do you know with significant interruptions in the professional lives -- right in the middle of their peak earning years)? One of a number of messes we're busily creating.

I've been arguing in another thread about what a minimum living wage means, and on those terms, you've got to allow for retirement. Otherwise the alternative (including state support of retirees) remains yet another net welfare support for businesses which were paying insufficient salaries in the first place.

See thread here: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=7337228

And post here: http://www.reddit.com/r/dredmorbius/comments/1z5vfb/thoughts...