I don't own a house, but neither do I have debt. I know that I'm lucky in that regard, but I worry about being old and poor every day. I have some cash savings, a CD, and a little (very little) stock, but most of my assets are tied up in a 401(k) from work, and that terrifies me - what if the market goes into an extended dip when it's time for me to retire?

subject to the same possibility of loss as your 401K.

I am lucky that I am retired and in good health and worked for county government and had a union and a defined benefit retirement plan.

As it is I will get my monthly pension check for life as well as social security. My wife who is 17 years younger than me still works and has a 401K.

We have a mortgage and car loans and credit card debt but are managing things well. If we don’t buy new cars in four years we will only have a mortgage as debt.

We also have a modest savings.

I would advise anyone to work for a government where there is a union and a defined benefit plan. Hopefully the government does not have a huge unpaid pension liability. My getting a government job has made a big difference in my retirement life style.

If you can, get a marketable skill. I am an accountant. Find a good job with benefits.

As much as possible be proactive about your future and not subject to the changing winds.

The example I used in my stats classes: suppose Bill Gates walks in now. The average person in this room is now a billionaire.

used as fact. But,the Trump Crime Syndicate let it be known from the get go,that they would juice the numbers because they believe it would placate their base.