Most Americans will have to work as hard as they can their whole lives, and will never be able to retire. With SS, they can probably reduce their hours as they hit traditional retirement age. We agree that the U.S. has completely fucked things up in ways that Europe and other advanced societies have not, but still, I see no virtue in recommending people work less when younger, because very few people will be able to. I favor telling it like it is: You are almost certainly screwed if you're an American, and you will have to work your ass off forever.