Index funds are often praised as the safest bet for retirement savings, but I think relying on them exclusively is a mistake. I've watched my 401(k) swing wildly with the S&P 500, and while dollar-cost averaging smooths things out, the lack of downside protection scares me. A retiree who put everything in an index fund in 2008 would've seen their portfolio halve right when they needed income. Shouldn't we at least consider dividend-paying stocks or bonds for stability, even if it means slightly lower long-term returns?