Retirement: That dream of living comfortably, traveling where you want, spending time with who you want when you want, enjoying good health, and getting to play like teenagers again during your golden years.

For many people, especially as they're (we're?) getting older, a comfortable retirement has become more of the American dream than the traditional American dream of owning your own home in a nice neighborhood with your late model car in the driveway.

Like most things in life that are worth having, though, a comfortable retirement requires forethought and planning, and the start of that planning is to notice…

What is going on with Social Security right now?

For most Americans, any hope of a retirement is completely dependent on Social Security. And, as you probably know, Social Security, as a program, has been struggling for a while now. Investopedia tells us the latest: Full benefits currently projected to end in 2034.

Now, you might be thinking, "Hey, I'm frugal. I can comfortably live with a 19% decrease in what I receive in retirement," but don't get too excited, yet.

This estimate from the Social Security Administration (SSA) is, in some ways, a best case scenario.

Why do I say that?

It's simple, really. To explain that, it's important to first understand how Social Security works.

Social Security is not "your money"

Many people have the misconception that Social Security is kind of like a giant savings account that we're all forced to pay into – but that we'll receive back when we eventually retire.

Except that Social Security has never worked like that.

To make a long story short, via Dave Ramsey:

"Your" contributions go into the same pot as "my" contributions

The SSA uses that fund to pay benefits today

…and, if there's any left, it goes into the Social Security Trust Fund