>The U.S.’s shift from traditional pensions to 401(k) plans makes it harder for Americans to know when it’s safe to retire. That's not really true. Traditiona

>The U.S.’s shift from traditional pensions to 401(k) plans makes it harder for Americans to know when it’s safe to retire. That's not really true. Traditional pensions rely on the financial health of whoever is paying the pension. Personally, I'd rather rely on a 401(k) than find out in my dotage the company I was depending on to pay the bills went belly up. The real problem with retiring under 65 is health care. The situation is so muddled now it's impossible to predict what a health care plan or a serious illness is going to cost you five years hence.