Social Security.

its borderline socialist, but its not secure.  i like this article:

http://constitutionalconservative.wordpress.com/2008/03/26/social-security-bankrupt-in-2017/

We all need to take control of our OWN retirement.  Company pensions have been slashed.  The stock market is hardly predictable for investing.   If (and when) nterest rates go up - the value of bonds and other interest bearing instruments goes down.

Real estate provides a unique combination of cash flow, real tax free appreciation,  principal reduction and certainty.  Remember travel agencies and storefront stock brokerages?  internet made them obsolete VERY quickly.  Those who invested in them lost when they closed their doors.  Houses??  People have to live somewhere.  And we are not making any less of them - the supply is unlimited!!!!