Many retirees ain't 'living large' as you seem to think. Many need to continue to work to afford groceries, pay rent, and buy medications. So many medications. And medicare doesn't cover everything you need when your old. You pay for the Part B medicare, a minimum of $150 per month and the cost goes up if you have more money. But you STILL nee to buy extra supplemental insurance to cover the things medicare doesn't cover. So several $100's more a month for insurance. And do this while on a fixed income........

If you weren't living large before you retired, you ain't living large after you retire.