Joe Rogan warns US is barreling toward ‘population collapse’ — and older Americans will face the harshest hit. Protect yourself while there’s time

Swan noted that “it used to be five children per couple on the average in 1960 and now in South Korea it's like 0.88.”

“They’re in danger of complete population collapse,” Rogan said — warning that the issue isn’t confined to one country.

“America is also facing a potential population collapse,” he added. “People don't think about that but our reproduction numbers, they're down quite a bit and they're not at the level that we need in order to keep our population.”

The data backs up the broader trend. According to the CDC, the U.S. recorded its lowest ever fertility rate of 1.6 births per woman in 2024 — well below the 2.1 replacement level needed for a population to sustain itself (2).

And this isn’t new. The CDC has noted that America’s fertility rate has been “consistently below replacement” since 2007 (3).

Swan warned that this demographic shift could pose a major challenge for society.

She explained that populations are typically shaped like a pyramid — with many young people at the base supporting a smaller number of older individuals at the top. But that structure is starting to invert.

“Lots of people are living longer,” she said. “But few are down here,” at the base.

That imbalance creates a serious problem.

“There’s not enough of them,” Rogan added, referring to younger generations expected to support retirees.

“It’s a huge societal problem,” Swan agreed.

While this may sound like a long-term trend, the implications could hit close to home — especially when it comes to your finances.

Modern retirement systems, including Social Security and pension programs, rely heavily on a steady flow of younger workers paying into the system. When birth rates fall and the workforce shrinks, that balance can be disrupted.

And this comes at a time when Social Security is already facing mounting pressure.

A new report from the Congressional Budget Office projects that the Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund — the program that pays retiree and survivor benefits — will run out of money in 2032 (4).

According to the CBO, that shortfall would trigger a reduction in benefits — with payments dropping by about 7% in 2032, followed by average cuts of roughly 28% annually between 2033 and 2036.

While the Social Security Administration has long emphasized that the program was never designed to fully fund retirement, many Americans rely on it heavily. A 2025 study from The Senior Citizens League found that 39% of seniors depend on Social Security for 100% of their income (5).

If benefits are cut once the trust fund runs out of money, that reliance could leave millions of retirees vulnerable. And with an aging population and fewer workers paying into the system, the pressure may only intensify.

Ultimately, the long-term future of Social Security depends on decisions made in Washington. But you don’t have to leave your retirement security entirely in lawmakers’ hands. Building additional income streams — especially passive ones — can be a game-changer for financial stability in retirement.

Earn rental income without becoming a landlord

Investing in real estate is widely regarded as a robust strategy for retirement planning due to its potential for generating steady, recurring income and capital appreciation over time.

Well-chosen properties can offer a reliable source of rental income, which can be used to cover living expenses in retirement, reducing dependency on traditional retirement savings or Social Security.

At the same time, real estate has proven to be a powerful hedge against inflation. When inflation rises, property values often increase as well, reflecting the higher costs of materials, labor and land. At the same time, rental income tends to go up, providing landlords with a revenue stream that adjusts for inflation.

Over the past ten years, the S&P Cotality Case-Shiller U.S. National Home Price NSA Index has jumped by 87%, reflecting strong demand and limited housing supply (6).

Of course, high home prices can make buying a home more challenging, especially with mortgage rates still elevated. And being a landlord isn’t exactly hands-off work — managing tenants, maintenance and repairs can quickly eat into your time (and returns).

The good news? You don’t need to buy a property outright — or deal with leaky faucets — to invest in real estate today. Mogul, a crowdfunding platform, offers an easier way to get exposure to this income-generating asset class.

It’s a real estate investment platform offering fractional ownership in blue-chip rental properties, which gives investors monthly rental income, real-time appreciation and tax benefits — without the need for a hefty down payment or 3 a.m. tenant calls.

Founded by former Goldman Sachs real estate investors, the team hand-picks the top 1% of single-family rental homes nationwide for you. In other words, you gain access to institutional-quality offerings for a fraction of the usual cost.

Each property undergoes a rigorous vetting process, requiring a minimum 12% return even in downside scenarios. Across the board, the platform features an average annual IRR of 18.8%. Offerings often sell out in under three hours, with investments typically ranging between $15,000 and $40,000 per property.

You can sign up for an account and then browse available properties here.

Another option is Lightstone DIRECT, which offers accredited investors access to institutional-quality multifamily and industrial real estate — with a minimum investment of $100,000.

Founded in 1986 by David Lichtenstein, Lightstone Group is one of the largest privately held real estate investment firms in the U.S., with more than $12 billion in assets under management.

Over nearly-four decades, their team has delivered strong, risk-adjusted performance across multiple market cycles — including a 27.6% historical net IRR and a 2.54x historical net equity multiple on realized investments since 2004.

With Lightstone DIRECT, you gain access to the same multifamily and industrial deals Lightstone pursues with its own capital.

Here’s the kicker: Lightstone invests at least 20% of its own capital in every deal — roughly four times the industry average. With skin in the game, the firm ensures its interests are directly aligned with those of its investors.

Collect dividends

Real estate isn’t the only way to build recurring income. Dividend-paying stocks can offer a similar benefit — providing regular payouts without the need to manage tenants or properties.

Dividends are payments companies make to shareholders out of their profits, typically on a quarterly basis. In other words, they allow investors to generate recurring cash flow without having to sell their shares — an approach many find appealing. As John D. Rockefeller, one of the richest Americans in history, once said, “Do you know the only thing that gives me pleasure? It’s to see my dividends coming in.”

While stock prices can rise and fall, companies with a strong track record of paying — and growing — dividends offer investors a steady cash flow. Over time, those increases can compound into a powerful income stream.