What is a major economic problem faced by individuals in retirement?

Maintaining a preretirement standard of living is a significant economic challenge for individuals in retirement. Many retirees rely on fixed income sources, such as Social Security, pensions, or withdrawals from retirement accounts, which may not keep pace with inflation or rising costs of living. As expenses for healthcare, housing, and everyday needs increase, retirees often find it difficult to sustain the lifestyle they had during their working years. This challenge underscores the importance of adequate retirement planning and investment strategies to accumulate sufficient savings to cover these anticipated expenses and maintain a similar standard of living post-retirement.

The other options either do not accurately reflect the issues retirees commonly face or are not relevant in the context of financial struggles during retirement. For instance, employment opportunities often diminish as individuals retire, and while immediate access to savings can be beneficial, it does not directly address long-term sustainability of financial security. Additionally, retirees may still face tax obligations on their income, as many forms of retirement income are subject to taxation.