I was born, educated and worked many years in a country with limited social benefits, and in particular no State pension fund. Growing up in such an environment meant that I was hard wired to take responsibility for myself, not to rely on the State for my old age. Pension was never a milestone that I aspired to or worked for.
Since 2006 I lived and worked in a country with extensive social benefits, and in particular a State pension fund system. Children growing up in this environment become hard wired at a young age in the mindset that the State is responsible for them. They are conditioned, more likely, not to take accountability for self in old age.
This is not a discussion about right or wrong or preferred political systems, rather an illustration of how environments can fundamentally create certain habits, and maybe why some are more proactive than others.
Being proactive is a critically important habit of our effectiveness in life. I have observed a much higher level of leadership and interpersonal skills in countries where taking responsibility for self was paramount from an early age.
Consider how many still productive people retire because of the paradigm of retirement and entitlement to a state pension fund. Then consider how quickly people degenerate after retirement with less physical work and less learning. Then consider how many people look forward to the day of their retirement. Then consider how many stick it out in a bad work environment because of a mindset of years of service needed. Then consider that State pension funds never keep abreast of inflation. Then consider that because of Government corruption and waste they never give back nearly what they have already taken from you.
I am hoping that the current wave of high inflation will be a lesson for those of working age to recognize that they must strive to take responsibility for themselves. Being independent of State welfare gives a much higher opportunity for happiness and growth throughout your life.
Think Bigg-r 