What happens if you do not save for retirement at all?

[RBee]

Most of us Indians are excess savers, so this situation probably doesn’t apply to us
But hypothetically speaking, say one worked all the way from their 20s till their 60s, so contributed max years to SS/Medicare etc.

Then retire with negligible nest egg in 401K/IRA etc and worked in non-govt/non-teaching jobs, so they don’t qualify for pension.

Can one survive with SS payments and as walmart greeter in US if they have a paid house ?

[SAPPORO]

The lesser money one makes during their working years, the more percentage of it is replaced by SS, by design. In addition, the greatest asset for them is their primary home since their forced investment would have returned at least 30 times in the last 40 years and they can tap into that if need be as they invariably downsize in retirement unlike their wealthier counterparts. So, they should be able to maintain their past lifestyle for the most part. The curveballs to this are that some may have been generally irresponsible through their lives, the multiple divorces most Americans go through and the real jolt that happens when one of the spouses passes away as they're left with less combined SS income without corresponding reduction in expenses. LTC, medical issues are less of a bother since governmental programs should come to their rescue ultimately- ask desi parents who get top-notch medical care without spending a penny!

I notice something interesting in Florida, older retirees charge less money per hour for odd jobs than others, usually $20 but they're strict about how long they work which leads me to believe not all the Walmart greeters are doing it for money!