Back then in my region you could buy a fully appointed Park Avenue cooperative (doorman, maid's quarters, the whole 9 yards) for that kind of money.And my dad was working class. Wages went up fast back then along with benefits. Times were different.
One of friends does the same job my dad did in the 80s and only makes $10k more than he did. Blows my mind.
Working class has become a term you don't hear much anymore and I thank you for the remembrance. Now it's the poor, middle class, and 1%.
In the early 70's my stepdad warned that the working class was becoming obsolete and joined the majority of adults of my life in encouraging me to go to college. So glad I listened. Now I encourage my DGD to get at least a master's degree; times change.
As for retirement...guess I've been thinking and planning for it for most of my working life. Always saved at least 10%; loved matching funds for my 401 K over a set pension (the man's dad had a pension that was wiped out by his company's bankruptcy. A real eye opener and deterrent to the economic growth and well-being of at least 3 generations of his family) then switched over to a Roth when I became self employed. Saving for older age was a higher priority than any vacation most of the time.
I understand those who worry about the usefulness of their Social Security but don't get wanting to gamble with the future of my or my children's well being by doing nothing and hoping to die early(huh?!).
I've friends (1) and acquaintances (several) who were convinced their kids would take care of them later in life and now that it's not happening in the manner expected, whine which I hear/don't hear.