LOOK Insp4, I'm actually glad that you're doing OK.
We all make choices along the way., For 2 and only 2 Main Reasons,
Me, I started with the original Southern based CULT Airline, Piedmont, back in the mid 70's, No UNION. AA was just going into a 2 tier pay scale in 2/1983, that became a 3 tier pay scale in 9/1985, but was hiring @ $5.77 an hour, with NO medical bennys for a year. None the less, I JUMPED at AA for $5.77, and jettisoned PI @ $13.50, for 2 and only 2 main reasons.
1. AA had a U N I O N, and '2', would definitely be a Survivor, while other airlines were going D O A, like crazy. (looking back today, I made a very smart move.
Next, after early retirement and hanging around for 5 years doing nothing (except working Under the table), I caught on with Amtrak, another Heavily unionized company, WITH a Defined Benefit Pension. Shortly before I retired from Amtrak, Wa La, along came FULL $$$ SS bennys and medicare, plus a certain amount of AA retiree bennys.
Bottom line. I don't give a Rats ASSS about 401k's, CD's, annuities, etc.
All I give a shite about is my friendly MAILMAN !!!
PS, I don't pay a F-Dime in federal taxes, AND, NH has zero state tax, PLUS Me and my ol' lady can travel the world on AA, for life (Plus some d-3's) and DL. (oldest son has 33 years with NW/DL, and is only 53), AND, me and my ol' lady can travel free, lifetime on the entire Amtrak system !!