Although ‘precarious’ is possibly a little too light to describe the situation, others may prefer: ‘impending financial catastrophe and meltdown!’

What’s clear as (fresh) water however is that there’s nothing fishy about the bleak future facing many near, at and post-retirees — it has been an open and transparent play that has been acted out over a number of years.

As we all know, the financial crisis-triggered drop in interest rates, the spike in the indebtedness of many developed countries and the efforts of central banks to stimulate economic growth is a story that has advanced several chapters over the last near-decade… with each chapter more desperate than the last.

Zero to negative returns on some fixed income assets, the inability to accurately price market risk and the artificially inflated valuations across equity markets are all well-known issues creating huge exposure for investors and savers.

But with every new rescue plan or effort to spark growth comes yet more instability and the equities bubble swells with more air. Not to mention the negative impact all this financial manipulation is having on the real economy.

Markets are running high but a key mechanism for assessing price is being muffled and hampered by the actions of central banks.

For those who like to look for hidden and subliminal messages, the implications of central bank policies can be found in the Latin name of our little gilled friend – ‘Al (l) Burn Us’.

As the fleeting Northern summer gives way to autumn and beyond, the approaching bleakness is likely to extend beyond winter and through into 2017 and 2018 and possibly 2020!

Work longer, lower your expectations and save more is a tough pill for would-be retirees to swallow alongside their various other lifestyle extending medications. hairy girl займ костромавзять займ на большую суммузайм на киви счет