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Comment by durakot | Hacker News Reader

Something really sad about this, because it boils down to: do not take any risks.

I live in Australia, work in Superannuation (aka Pension plans). Looking at the data, there will be a whole heap of suffering for people who did not take this advice when they were younger. Poverty is one thing. Poverty and old age is very bad. Add ill-health, and you will have absolute misery.

There is of course voluntary euthanasia as an alternative to a poverty ill-health future. I strongly suspect that it will become more socially acceptable as the pensions crisis etc. unfolds.

And then of course there's the Billy Conolly idea.. which went something along the lines of:

"I'm just waiting to hear I've got a terminal illness... I'll be the one behind the fence with the sheep and a syringe full of heroin" ;)

True, but you don't need a pension plan to save money and invest... It's just one strategy - albiet the most cozy one.

Yeah exactly. Work as a public servant? Retire at 62? Yawn.

He didn't mention the good stuff, if I were to guess: the joy of seeing his kids grow up. Falling in love. Teaching students to the best of his ability. Becoming an expert in his field. It sounds to me as if he has had a great life so far and just looks forward to more to come, and has a few minor regrets that aren't severe like, don't go to jail, don't do hardcore drugs, etc.

Reads to me more like "avoid big risks with your retirement"

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