This is a great post, and I hate to put a damper on things, but the title makes me think of something else I've been feeling in my gut for a while.

Retirement is not going to be an option for many future generations. The cost of living is getting too high, while salaries for many industries are falling too low.

This gut feeling first appeared in me when I saw GM renegotiate pension plans with its retirees. If even defined benefit pensions can be renegotiated, what is the actual rate of return on those suckers? Is it enough for anything? And it's not like I trust mutual funds, housing, or anything else to be much better anymore.

So I come to the conclusion that lifelong work will become a necessity for most. Retirement will be a luxury.