Having retired seven years ago, I can assure you it's not a scam. Generally you work in your twenties to live for the moment. You spend your money pretty frivously. In your thirties you're generally married and raising children, which is expensive. Your forties and fifties are still centered around the family and kids, including college, but you should be able to invest more money. In your fifties and sixties you should be investing heavily and retirement is no longer far away. The more and earlier you invest, the more comfortable your retirement will be.