Tony Robbins urges Americans to act, says Social Security isn't enough

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America's Social Security program is both popular and woefully underfunded.
Experts have been warning that the social safety net millions of Americans rely on is on the verge of fraying. Now, personal finance author and motivational speaker Tony Robbins is calling on people of all ages to start weaving their own safety net.
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"Time to get your head out of the sand and do some easy number crunching to find out where you are and where you need to be," his website advises.
"Remember this: Anticipation is the ultimate power. Losers react; leaders anticipate."
Robbins might be preaching to the choir. According to the AARP, 74% of Americans believe Social Security will not provide enough to live on during their retirement. Two-thirds of them also consider the monthly benefits too low to live on.
If you share these concerns, here's what you can do to secure your financial future.
Since Social Security payments are likely to be insufficient, creating your own independent nest egg seems like an obvious solution. Robbins recommends setting a target to save at least 20 times your annual living expenses to fund a comfortable retirement.
On average, U.S. adults currently believe the 'magic number' to retire comfortably is $1.46 million, according to Northwestern Mutual. This is 15% higher than the estimate in 2023, even though the average retirement savings dropped to $88,400 in 2024, nearly $1,000 less than the previous year.
In other words, most Americans understand how much they need to save but are unable to take the necessary steps.
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Despite its limitations, Americans overwhelmingly support the Social Security program and want the government to salvage it. A January 2025 poll by the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research revealed that two-thirds of Americans believe the government is spending 'too little' on Social Security.
An AARP survey found that 85% of Americans back efforts to preserve the program, even if it requires higher taxes for everyone. According to the National Institute on Retirement Security, 87% of U.S. adults believe ensuring the program's funding should be a top priority for elected officials, no matter the country's fiscal challenges.
Regardless of how well-funded the program is, it's clear that relying solely on Social Security for retirement is a risky proposition. On average, Social Security benefits replace only about 40% of pre-retirement income, which is often not enough to cover basic living expenses, let alone healthcare costs, leisure activities or unexpected emergencies.
Investing in gold can reduce your dependence on Social Security, providing a diversified source of income for retirement. Gold is often considered a hedge against inflation, as its value tends to rise when the cost of living increases, protecting your purchasing power over time.
It's also seen as a safe-haven asset that investors flock to under uncertain market conditions. For instance, the price of gold surged to record highs in April 2025 amid concerns around the fallout of President Trump's global tariffs.
For those looking to capitalize on gold's potential, one option is opening a gold IRA with the help of Priority Gold.
Gold IRAs allow investors to hold physical gold or gold-related assets within a retirement account. This can give you the tax advantages of an IRA with the potential protective benefits of investing in gold, making it an option for those seeking to ensure their retirement funds are well-shielded against economic uncertainties.
When you make a qualifying purchase with Priority Gold, you can receive up to $10,000 in free silver.
As of 2024, 21% of Americans say they would like to move abroad, up from just 10% in 2011, according to a Gallup poll. Meanwhile, the Social Security Administration reports that over 760,000 retirees are already collecting benefits while living overseas.
For those struggling with the ongoing retirement crisis, relocating to a country with a lower cost of living and a high quality of life — like Japan, Panama, Portugal, or Greece — could be a smart solution.
To make this more achievable, consider setting up a dedicated automatic savings fund for your retirement goals. This can help you build a larger nest egg for either relocating or ensuring a more comfortable retirement, even if you decide to stay in the U.S.
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This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.