The 1980's is when you start seeing pensions completely disappear.
You don't get to depict the class of "pensions" as simply "disappearing." Someone has to do something to make a pension disappear. So go down the list, and for each one specify who did what to make it disappear. Then we'll talk about each and every specific case.
Social Security still exists,
This is the problem. Social Security is nothing more than the government stealing the wealth that people will need in retirement. The government takes substantial chunks out of paychecks, money that could/would be so much better invested by the individuals from whom the money is being stolen, but then returns a paltry percentage. Many of the people who can't afford to live off of Social Security would be living just fine if they had been able to invest their money instead of having it stolen.
Actually, the government returns more money to Social Security recipients than it took from them.
Incorrect. That will only work with stupid people who don't realize, or understand, that you are not including the necessary "net present value" conversions ... and of course, you are only talking about the money that was taken, and not the money that was taken and dropped into an index fund over the working years, and with all net present value conversions performed. That's sizeable wealth that is stolen, and only a flake of it is returned, with the expectation that the recipient be ever so gracious and appreciative.
No, thank you. I'll take the "Let me invest my own money for my own retirement" option, thank you. I want the government to keep its thieving hands off my money.
Who would have a problem with individual pensions? That is a simple answer. Anyone who does not have a lot of money in them. This could be caused by not putting money in, not investing well, or just bad luck.
Nope. Your logic fails. Everyone is inherently responsible for his own wealth management and for his own financial situation. If we extend your argument, the government should simply confiscate all of everyone's wealth and just dole out only the bare minimum needed for one to subsist (Soviet Union anyone?) to protect the people from themselves, because the people might invest poorly, they might not spend their money well, and they might have bad luck. The government obviously needs to step in and save the people from the terrible fate that would befall them if they were to control their own finances, right?
I'll just tell you that I do not agree with your perspective. The government has no business with my money. I neither need nor want the government to be seizing control of my retirement plan (to my serious detriment, in the name of providing me a "safety net" that I would otherwise not need), and I certainly don't want the government stealing my wealth.
Before you ask, I am VERY HAPPY with my individual retirement accounts.
I wasn't going to ask. I'm not particularly interested in your virtue-signaling. I also don't believe you. Just so you are aware, my assumption is that you are poor, and a loser. If you wish to continue making the case for Social Security, realize that I won't be taking you on your word for anything, either stated or implied.