> it feels infuriating that in order to afford medicine, clothes, food, shelter, and defense once you're past your working prime you must attach your fortunes

> it feels infuriating that in order to afford medicine, clothes, food, shelter, and defense once you're past your working prime you must attach your fortunes to companies that have very little to do with the actual services you require in retirement. This seems like an incredibly weak argument for an incredibly good point. Its crazy that you must attach your fortune to companies that have very little to do with you in general. A wealth manager, or annuity or other similar service (pension) seem like a very reasonable (conceptually) place to attach your wealth - their job is to provide for your retirement. Saying "buy stock market indexes and government debt" seems like a very indirect way to hedge your retirement.