Half of US households lack the funds to retire by age 65. Will it be you or your next door neighbor?

Boston College’s Center for Retirement Research released a study that shows 51% of US households simply do not have enough savings in their retirement funds to exit the work force at 65. This is an increase from 2006’s study which showed that only 44% of households were in the same ugly financial position. The current financial crisis has hit those near retirement age doubly hard. Namely, their dismal 401Ks and the decreased value of their homes.

While the stock market and real estate are in bear markets right now, commodities are actually moving up. Some people have waited a long time to diversify and figure right now may be their best chance to recoup this year’s losses by purchasing precious metals while they are on a bull run. Did you know you can even buy gold through your retirement fund? It’s true, you can legally hold all or part of your 401K or IRA or 403B in precious metals. Its one option to consider when half of Americans will be punching the clock for a lot longer than they planned.