A coworker is being forcefully retired at work.
At over 70 years of age, he has worked for my bosses now for 40-plus years.
Tears were shining in his eyes as he told me the news. He has one month’s notice before his last day.
“But you’ve got Social Security, right?” I asked, casting about for a way to console him.
“It’s not enough,” he sighed, visibly shrinking. “It’s not enough to take care of me and my wife. That’s why I’ve kept working.”
I didn’t know what to say. What could I say?
I listened to him talk instead.
Years ago my friend bought into the lie.
My friend had believed that Social Security would take care of him when it came time for him to retire.
But they lied. They’d lied to him, and now it was too late.
My friend faces a frightening future as a result of his trust.
I don’t know what is going to happen to him. I don’t know if he will be able to find another job at his advanced age. I don’t know if he’ll be able to pare down his expenses to compensate for the lost income.
And there’s nothing I can do to save him.
I closed my eyes in silent prayer as he left the room. I prayed that he would find a way through this.
I also made a vow to myself.
That is not going to be me. That is not going to be my future. I’ve seen the writing on the wall; if I don’t do something to build up my passive income I’ll share the same fate as my friend.
I’ve got to keep trying.
I’ve got 21 years before I reach the age of 70 in order to make my goal a reality. I will do whatever it takes to avoid his fate.
And while I’m at it, I am going to continue shouting from the rooftops about the dangers of relying on the Government to provide for you.
Hopefully people will start to listen.