Retirement

Here at work they're doing away with pensions. The change will be to a more 'aggressive' cooperative 403b (we're a 501(c)3 nfp) plan, where if you invest 6% they'll match an additional 3%.

I have to wonder: are retirement plans really just some creamy corporate milk that companies feed you to keep you placated? If I were to take my salary today, and assume a 3% pay raise every year for the next 35 years, and then take 9% of that and invest it every year, and then get a healthy 7% return on my investment every year...I'd end up 65 years old with $1.1 million in the bank. Of course, that's $1.1 million in 2046 dollars. Back track to current dollars and I'd have about $568,000 if I were doing this today. And of course this is hilariously illusory because who has managed a 7% year over year the last 15 years? No one.

At least I have the comfort of knowing that when I retire in 2046 I can rely on my Social Security checks...oh wait.
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