GONZALO LIRA: Why Are You Speculating Instead Of Investing? “These people chasing returns aren’t greedy or evil. But they realize that, as they grow older, they won’t be able to count on Social Security to get them through their old age. They’ll need a nest egg that will produce enough income to get them through the thirty years after the end of their working life.” The system as currently run is designed to encourage you to do this, by punishing people for traditionally prudent saving.