Because life can be a minefield!
Whether you start out with a formal plan or not, there are many things that can severely impact your situation at retirement:
Divorce,
Illness/Injury,
Loss of Job or job changes,
Employer Bankruptcy,
Personal Bankruptcy,
Bank Failures,
Lawsuits,
Stockmarket fluctuation,
Investment fees,
Inflation,
College expenses,
Taxes,
Pandemic,
Fires,
Wars...
Even people who have a defined benefit plan, such as government workers, may have their plan altered because of unfunded liabilities. 26 States have severely underfunded retirement plans. Some have already reduced benefits for people who have already retired. (see "The Pension Gamble" video in the Gallery section below).
The average Social Security check is $1833 per month. Will Social Security be solvent in 2030 and beyond?
Location
San Mateo, California