Congress needs to get serious about tweaking various aspects of Social Security, but this time to improve the financial aspects of the system, and not to make them worse, as it had done in January.Social Security Fiscal Year 2025: Trust Fund Balance, Income, Outgo, Deficit, and Interest Rates https://wolfstreet.com/2025/11/18/social-security-fiscal-year-2025-trust-fund-balance-income-outgo-deficit-and-interest-rates/
The Boss (SWMBO) and I talk about this often. Once the W2 income stops and we have to rely upon a small corporate pension, savings, and a shaky Social Security promise we’ll have to get conservative on our spending. No more Stratocasters. Less purchases for wardrobe enhancements. Gas station beer instead of craft brews.
Time will tell.
SWMBO – She Who Must Be Obeyed
Yikes.
lifeunderwriter.net 
Stratocasters?
So in how many years do you project retirement at this point ?
Two to four years is my estimate. I’m one of the fortunate few who possess a skill set in current high demand. I enjoy my work. The work provides structure, mental stimulation, and just enough human interaction to maintain my social skills. The economic benefits of a few extra work years is also a good thing. Yes, I have a bunch of Stratocasters. But no desire to bring the band together again for a final farewell tour.
Why the high demand?
Life insurance sales continue to grow since the pandemic. High volumes of insurance applications and a lack of professional underwriters to do the work. The shortage is due to many reasons: downsizing, graduates pursuing other types of work, etc. No one as a kid says when I grow up I want to be an underwriter.
How does one train to be an underwriter? Is it a good job field to go into at this point?
A great specialty to enter at this point in time. I’m a middle boomer and once this generation retires/dies there will be even higher demand for my particular skill set. Some companies train interested employees for this role. Most training is done through insurance companies with industry based training courses.
So if One wanted to be an underwriter, what degree would they pursue before hand? Business or anything in liberal arts?
Great question, but no solid answer. I would suggest any major in the sciences with a minor in business. I majored in Sociology. (yeah)
Stratocaster?
Classic electric guitar design by Fender. I own several and the quip is a reference to discretionary spending. Once on fixed income, no more guitar purchases.