Home Ownership isn't a Retirement Plan

So... social security is shot; 401(k)s, IRAs, and pensions aren't what they promise to be; and Americans don't have the savings to make-up the difference — where's the outrage?

It's hiding behind the real estate bubble.

People across the nation are retiring on earnings from homes that are selling at two, three, ten times conservative valuations, and haven't noticed that the retirement they had been planning-on didn't materialize. But they're riding a bubble, and bubbles don't last.

Of course, even when the bubble finally bursts, not everyone will be equally affected. Folks in relatively rational real estate markets will be able to hold onto most of their hard-earned equity. But will that enough? When you're ready to retire, will you be healthy enough to be a good risk for lenders? Or are you prepared to sell your home to recoup its value?

Isn't there a better way?