Compound interest grows interest upon interest. The more time you have the more time compound interest can grow your money.
Retirement is not about doing nothing. Being free to do whatever you want without the need of income producing work is financial freedom.
Owning assets can be better than a job. It can bring income to you without even working.
If taxes were part of a financial literacy program in school then people would be able to take advantage and save money on doing taxes. Alas, it is not a money lesson taught in school.