I've watched retirement accounts for clients for over a decade, and I'm convinced that relying solely on Social Security is a losing bet for most people. The system was never designed to be a primary income source, and with the trust fund projected to shrink in the next decade, younger workers will likely see reduced benefits or a later retirement age. But I've also met people who planned poorly and avoided the stock market entirely, yet they scraped by with a frugal lifestyle and family support. Is it fair to say that personal savings and investing are non-negotiable for a secure retirement, or does that ignore real constraints like low wages and medical debt?