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A 35-year-old IT worker says he\u2019s starting to wonder whether retirement is even possible.<\/p>\n
Despite earning about $50,000 a year, maintaining steady employment and contributing to a retirement account, he recently shared his finances online and admitted that the numbers have left him discouraged. \u201cDoing the math I really am thinking retirement is a pipe dream and I will be working until the end,\u201d he wrote on Reddit<\/a>.<\/p>\n His concern wasn\u2019t driven by credit card debt or extravagant spending. Instead, much of his paycheck goes toward supporting his disabled father, whose mortgage he is effectively covering each month.<\/p>\n Don’t Miss:<\/p>\n A Tight Budget Leaves Little Room For Saving <\/p>\n According to the financial details he shared, he takes home about $2,616 per month after taxes and deductions. His largest expense by far is housing. He pays roughly $1,800 each month, an amount that covers the mortgage on the home where he and his father live.<\/p>\n Other monthly expenses include $265 in medical bills, $160 for internet and television service, $110 for car insurance, $40 in student loans and smaller recurring costs. After everything is paid, he estimates he has about $200 left for food, unexpected expenses and anything else that comes up.<\/p>\n \u201cI had to stop paying into my retirement for the last month because of another big unexpected bill<\/a> that popped up,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n While he described his criminal justice degree as \u201cuseless,\u201d he has worked in IT since 2020 and currently serves as an endpoint administrator. Even so, he said finding a job paying more than $50,000 has been difficult.<\/p>\n The financial picture initially appeared bleak. He has about $23,000 spread across retirement and investment accounts, including roughly $17,000 in a retirement plan.<\/p>\n Trending: Explore Jeff Bezos-backed Arrived Homes and see how investors are earning passive rental income \u2014 now with a limited-time 1% bonus match for new investors.<\/a><\/p>\n A Bigger Opportunity <\/p>\n Many readers argued that retirement wasn\u2019t actually the biggest issue. Instead, they focused on the housing arrangement. Although the mortgage is in his father\u2019s name, the worker said he is effectively making the payments by covering about $1,800 per month in housing costs so his disabled father can remain in the home.<\/p>\n His father still owes approximately $60,000 to $70,000 on the mortgage, and the property is estimated to be worth around $200,000. A number of people suggested he talk to an estate-planning lawyer and look into ways to keep the house in the family<\/a>, such as setting up a trust<\/a>, transferring ownership or taking over the mortgage.<\/p>\n Others said he may be looking at things too negatively because his estimates didn\u2019t include Social Security benefits or the extra money his employer adds to his retirement account.<\/p>\n See Also: Access private-market funds that may include exposure to companies like SpaceX\u2014available through SoFi Invest with entry points starting at just $10<\/a><\/p>\n Some also added that five years of IT experience could potentially open doors to higher-paying roles in cybersecurity, cloud computing, networking or systems administration.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re not cooked,\u201d one commenter summed up the prevailing sentiment. \u201cYou\u2019re underpaid.\u201d<\/p>\n The worker acknowledged that some of the suggestions gave him hope, particularly after learning about the possibility of assuming his father\u2019s mortgage.<\/p>\n Right now, he\u2019s still worried about the future, but talking to a financial advisor could help<\/a> him understand his options, make a plan for retirement and see if there are ways to save more money or get more value from what he already owns.<\/p>\n Read Next: Retirees With $1M+ In Savings Are Rethinking Their Tax Strategy \u2014 Here’s Why Some Are Turning To Specialized Advisors<\/a><\/p>\n Building Wealth Across More Than Just the Market <\/p>\n Building a resilient portfolio means thinking beyond a single asset or market trend. Economic cycles shift, sectors rise and fall, and no one investment performs well in every environment. That’s why many investors look to diversify with platforms that provide access to real estate, fixed-income opportunities, professional financial guidance, precious metals, and even self-directed retirement accounts. By spreading exposure across multiple asset classes, it becomes easier to manage risk, capture steady returns, and create long-term wealth that isn’t tied to the fortunes of just one company or industry.<\/p>\n Rad AI<\/p>\n RAD Intel is an AI-driven marketing platform helping brands improve campaign performance by turning complex data into actionable insights for content, influencer strategy, and ROI optimization.<\/a> Positioned within the multi-hundred-billion-dollar digital marketing industry, the company works with global brands across sectors to improve targeting precision and creative performance using its analytics and AI tools. With strong revenue growth, expanding enterprise contracts, and a Nasdaq ticker reserved under $RADI, RAD Intel is opening access to its Regulation A+ offering, giving investors exposure to the growing intersection of AI, marketing, and creator economy infrastructure.<\/p>\n Arrived<\/p>\n Backed by Jeff Bezos, Arrived Homes makes real estate investing accessible with a low barrier to entry. Investors can buy fractional shares of single-family rentals and vacation homes starting with as little as $100<\/a>. This allows everyday investors to diversify into real estate, collect rental income, and build long-term wealth without needing to manage properties directly.<\/p>\n Lightstone<\/p>\n Lightstone DIRECT gives accredited investors access to institutional-quality multifamily real estate opportunities backed by a vertically integrated operator with more than $12 billion in assets under management and a 40-year track record.<\/a> With more than 25,000 multifamily units nationwide \u2014 including significant exposure to low-supply Midwest markets where rent growth has remained resilient \u2014 Lightstone is positioning investors to benefit from tightening housing supply, strong occupancy trends, and long-term rental demand. Through Lightstone DIRECT, individuals can co-invest alongside the firm, which commits at least 20% to each deal, offering exposure to professionally managed multifamily assets designed to generate durable income and long-term appreciation beyond the traditional stock market.<\/p>\n AdviserMatch<\/p>\n AdviserMatch is a free online tool that helps individuals connect with financial advisors based on their goals, financial situation, and investment needs<\/a>. Instead of spending hours researching advisors on your own, the platform asks a few quick questions and matches you with professionals who can assist with areas like retirement planning, investment strategy, and overall financial guidance. Consultations are no-obligation, and services vary by advisor, giving investors a chance to explore whether professional advice could help improve their long-term financial plan.<\/p>\n Accredited Debt Relief<\/p>\n Accredited Debt Relief is a debt consolidation company focused on helping consumers reduce and manage unsecured debt through structured programs and personalized solutions<\/a>. Having supported more than 1 million clients and helped resolve over $3 billion in debt, the company operates within the growing consumer debt relief industry, where demand continues to rise alongside record household debt levels. Its process includes a quick qualification survey, personalized program matching, and ongoing support, with eligible clients potentially reducing monthly payments by 40% or more. With industry recognition, an A+ BBB rating, and multiple customer service awards, Accredited Debt Relief positions itself as a data-driven, client-focused option for individuals seeking a more manageable path toward becoming debt-free.<\/p>\n Finance Advisors<\/p>\n Finance Advisors helps Americans approach retirement with greater clarity by connecting them to vetted, fiduciary financial advisors who specialize in tax-aware retirement planning<\/a>. Rather than focusing on products or investment performance alone, the platform emphasizes strategies that account for after-tax income, withdrawal sequencing, and long-term tax efficiency\u2014factors that can materially impact retirement outcomes. Free to use, Finance Advisors gives individuals with meaningful savings access to a level of planning sophistication historically reserved for high-net-worth households, helping reduce hidden tax risk and improve long-term financial confidence.<\/p>\n Immersed<\/p>\n Immersed is a spatial computing company building immersive productivity software that enables users to work across multiple virtual screens inside VR and mixed-reality environments.<\/a> Its platform is used by remote workers and enterprises to create virtual workspaces that reduce reliance on traditional physical hardware while improving focus and collaboration. The company is also developing its own lightweight VR headset and AI productivity tools, positioning itself in the future-of-work and spatial computing space. Through its pre-IPO offering, Immersed is opening access to early-stage investors looking to diversify beyond traditional assets and gain exposure to emerging technologies shaping how people work.<\/p>\n Image: Shutterstock<\/p>\n This article ‘Retirement Is A Pipe Dream,’ Says A 35-Year-Old With A Decent Paying Job Who Feels Farther Behind Than Ever<\/a> originally appeared on Benzinga.com<\/a><\/p>\n \u00a9 2026 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Benzinga and Yahoo Finance LLC may earn commission or revenue on some items through the links below. 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