Ben Shapiro, a divisive conservative political commentator, stoked controversy with his recent remarks dismissing the concept of retirement as “a stupid idea.”
During the March 12 edition of his "Daily Wire" podcast, Shapiro said, “Frankly, I think retirement itself is a stupid idea unless you have some sort of health problem.”
The 40-year-old pundit, who has a reported $50 million net worth from his media empire, criticized the retirement age of 65 in the United States.
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“No one in the United States should be retiring at 65 years old. … It’s totally insane that you believe that you should be able to work from the time that you are essentially 20 to the time that you are 65 — 45 years — pay in, and then you’ll receive Social Security benefits sufficient to support you and your family for, like, another 20 years. That’s crazy talk.”
Shapiro’s diatribe against the traditional retirement model sparked backlash across social media, with many accusing the wealthy influencer of being out of touch with the realities facing working-class Americans.
“He’s a glorified influencer who does nothing more than sit behind a desk and talk to cameras to make a living. He has no right to lecture anyone on work,” one critic posted in a reaction video on YouTube.
Others highlighted the physical toll many professions take over a lifetime.
“Shapiro would never make it doing a physical labor job where your body is broken down after years of hard work,” another commenter wrote. “For those of us who actually work for a living, retirement is something we dream of.”
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The notion of retirement as an earned, well-deserved reprieve from decades of labor resonates with many Americans struggling with stagnant wages and increased longevity. As one user posted, “If you like making money, it makes sense to never retire, but most of us don’t really like what we do to make money and are only working so we no longer have to work. We are just in it for the money so we can retire early.”
The sentiment opposing raising the retirement age is reflected in a recent Quinnipiac University national poll of adults that found 78% of respondents are against proposals to increase the full Social Security retirement age from 67 to 70. Opposition remained firm at 62% even when respondents were told raising the age could help benefits last longer.
The controversy amplifies the larger debate around the fiscal pressures and societal attitudes surrounding retirement. With Americans living longer and the Social Security system facing potential insolvency, policymakers have long pondered increasing the retirement age. Yet for millions of workers in physically demanding jobs or lower income brackets, the dream of an eventual rest from labor is one of the few hopes carrying them through the day.
This disconnect between Shapiro’s privilege and most workers’ realities struck a nerve. Yet rather than depend solely on Social Security, retirement timing and financial independence are best planned through strategic investing and consulting financial advisers.
Financial advisers can provide objective guidance on building a portfolio and savings rate that supports your target retirement age and desired lifestyle without being beholden to solely federal benefits. With careful preparation, the dream of retirement remains attainable to people who prioritize it, regardless of personas like Shapiro diminishing its value.
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