The Retirement Myth: What You Must Know to Prosper in the Coming Meltdown of Job Security, Pension Plans, Social Security, the Stock Market, Housing Prices, and More [Paperback]

Craig S. Karpel (Author), Craig Karpel (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1996

This galvanizing manifesto reports on the coming collapse of the "retirement state" and provides useful guidance on how to thrive in the new world. Crammed with practical, specific advice on what skills readers should develop, what investments to make, and even how to expand their consciousness, this is a user's guide to the future.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

Marshaling a persuasive array of facts and figures, Karpel offers startling proof that retirement as we know it is doomed. The shrinkage of Social Security, the collapse of the pension system, and the decline of the housing and stock markets will herald a "Great Depreciation" that will throw masses of Americans into the streets. But this next century will also provide spectacular opportunities. When this generation grows older, it will be much healthier than today's seniors, and, due to the coming job surplus, will be able to work much longer before retirement. It will even have an advantage in the coming "wisdom economy," since it will be better educated than the next generation.

Crammed with practical, specific advice on what skills readers should develop, what investments to make, and even how to expand their--and society's--consciousness to ensure a prosperous and healthy old age, The Retirement Myth is nothing short of a user's guide to the future. It may be the most valuable piece of life insurance readers may ever own.

Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Harpercollins (May 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060927372
• ISBN-13: 978-0060927370
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.3 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,400,039 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A realistic wake-up call to the "Boomer" generation!, August 13, 1999

By 

[e-mail] (Oceanside, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Retirement Myth: What You Must Know to Prosper in the Coming Meltdown of Job Security, Pension Plans, Social Security, the Stock Market, Housing Prices, and More (Paperback)

As a Financial & Retirement Planner for over 15 years, I can attest that Mr Karpel's book is a very realistic portrayal of financial things to come. This book should be required reading for both the "baby boomer" and "X'er" generations!

4 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Gloom and Doom, August 26, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: The Retirement Myth: What You Must Know to Prosper in the Coming Meltdown of Job Security, Pension Plans, Social Security, the Stock Market, Housing Prices, and More (Paperback)

Although much of the information is now out of date, (published in 1995) the author is trying to emphasize the sad state of retirement planning among baby boomers.
-Your 401(k) and stocks are going to be in the dumper
-You will get little to no Social Security
-You will likely not have nearly enough pension money
-You'll probably have to work well past your anticipated "retirement age"
I believe that there will be ups and downs, but to preach this gloom and doom makes for very depressing reading. Those that have not been saving already know they're in for some hard times. Heck, if I were one who hadn't been saving for decades, I'd consider committing hara-kiri with a plastic butter knife after reading this.