Sometimes a simple thought experiment becomes worthless in its simplicity. Most everyone will get social security. Many will get pensions. For many people, these two income streams will be plenty to live on comfortably.

So for them, the question becomes more how much money do you need/want to bridge the gap before these streams begin.

The denominator can shift from 30+ years to 5 or 10 years.

Personally I realized I already had enough to leave a job I hated and be free now. Said goodbye to the corp world 3 years ago and have never been happier.

My peers say they will have to work till they are 70, or dead. Silly. They won't go past the simple thought experiment you described.