> This assumes that the pension system there will be able to sustain itself in a few decades hence despite low birth rates and limited immigration.
Indeed, the system is not perfect and the general outlook of it is pretty bad. But you still have a higher chance of getting a pension at 65 in Europe than in the US while being mediocre. Also don't forget automation, which I'd assume will trickle down to benefit the lower and middle European Class faster than it'll happen in the US.
Again, assumptions. The future is unsure for sure.
>Also, most people in developing countries, i.e. most people in the world, do not have that option.
Indeed. But most people on HN are usually from North America or WE, so you know... saying that is a bit disingenuous. You could say "most people are _dirt_ (emphasis on dirt) poor and cannot lift themselves out of poverty". Yes, most people in the world are like that, but we all know that for example this article is not directed at those sorts of people, but rather at "Westeners", who probably won't go hungry in their lives ever unless a major catastrophe happens.
There is a huge number of people in the world outside of the West who are between "dirt-poor" and having European-style pension. They do read such self-help articles.
As long as you have many young people and few old, that's a good system. Basically "taking care of your parents" but through the state in a collective manner.
