Hope vs. Reality

Wishful thinking doesn't go away with age [bold added]:

67% of workers say they plan to work for pay in retirement. But here’s why that may not be such a realistic plan: Among those who are already retired, only 23% actually work for pay.

The explanations aren't surprising:

Among the things that can cause people to leave the workforce earlier than they expect are health crises, layoffs and ageism on the part of prospective employers.

(Image from frontpagemag.com)

Deferred gratification, aka "saving", was a key element of the Protestant ethic that attached little value to wishful thinking. The Protestant ethic has been consigned to the dustbin of history.

We reap what we have sown.