The phrase “pension from the government” sounds nice only in political slogans. In reality, it’s just numbers on a statement, barely covering your utility bills. In the 21st century, relying on the government to fund your life after retirement is like keeping your savings under a mattress: theoretically possible, practically useless. Modern generations understand this perfectly: if you don’t want to just survive tomorrow, you need to build your own capital today - and build it so that your money works for you, not the other way around.

Here’s the real fork in the road. On one side, you have the expectation of a fixed government handout, entirely dependent on political will and bureaucrats’ moods. On the other side, there’s the personal retirement portfolio: stocks of major companies, crypto, bonds, and any assets capable of generating income regardless of anyone’s promises. The first path guarantees stagnation; the second, real financial freedom.

Ever wonder why some pension funds started investing in Bitcoin? Probably because they can’t even cover basic pensions on their own, and Bitcoin offers a chance for profit. According to Forbes, the State of Michigan Retirement System has made multi-million-dollar investments in a Bitcoin ETF. But even here, don’t count on the government to be generous - you shouldn’t wait when you can provide for yourself. Crypto and investments have long been accessible tools for anyone. Here are three ways to secure a retirement that lets you spend each month on the Maldives under palm trees with coconuts:

What the government pension won’t do is make your money work for you. Imagine waking up, sipping your morning coffee, while your money already does the job. Nowadays, tools like Bybit Auto-Invest, for example, can make this possible.

How it works:

 • Choose the currency to buy (BTC, ETH, USDT, etc.).

 • Set the amount and purchase frequency (daily, weekly, bi-weekly).

 • Bybit automatically deducts funds and buys crypto at the current market price.

 • The amount of coins bought depends on the price.

 • Everything happens automatically, without constant intervention.

Example:

Trader sets up an Auto-Invest plan to buy BTC every 2 weeks with $1,000. Bybit deducts the funds and purchases BTC at market price each time. Over time, the average purchase price decreases, and the amount of crypto grows.

Why it matters for your retirement portfolio:

No need to guess the market, wait for the “perfect moment,” or stare nervously at charts. Your coins accumulate themselves, ensuring stable growth for the future. Essentially, Auto-Invest is your personal financial assistant, taking care of your crypto-retirement while you build your life on your terms.

As retirement approaches, many think about putting money in a bank to earn interest. But with bank interest rates, by the time you retire, you will be able to buy only a pack of instant noodles.That’s where WhiteBIT Crypto Lending comes in - a passive income tool that  allows you to earn profit by lending your crypto assets.

How it works:

 • Go to the WhiteBIT Crypto Lending page in the Products section.

 • Choose the asset you want to lend (BTC, ETH, USDT, etc.) and the duration.

 • Enter the deposit amount in the chosen cryptocurrency and click “Select a plan.”

 • Note: once the plan is active, you can’t add extra funds. Interest is credited to your main balance after the term ends.

 • You can see the minimum and maximum deposits and the estimated earnings upfront.

Interesting fact: WhiteBIT also offers Crypto lending for businesses, helping them grow and manage assets.

Example:

A trader decides to invest $5,000 in BTC for 180 days at a fixed 15.06% rate. The plan is opened, and the coins “work” on their own. After six months, the trader receives back the initial $5,000 plus earned interest. Meanwhile, the money worked for them, while they focused on other things or simply relaxed.

Why it matters for your retirement portfolio:

This creates a stream of income independent of government payouts, letting your coins work for you. Plus, you control the risks by diversifying loans across different coins and durations.

Let’s not forget the classics. Shares of major companies like Apple, Microsoft, Pepsi, and others remain the foundation of long-term investing. Classic stock markets provide confidence and stability, and when combined with crypto, they create a flexible, profitable, and diversified retirement portfolio.

How it works:

 • Choose a company or fund to invest in. You can buy individual stocks or ETF shares.

 • Determine the amount and holding period - the longer you hold, the higher the potential profit.

 • Receive dividends - an additional passive income automatically credited to your brokerage account.

 • Track the market, but daily monitoring isn’t necessary: long-term investing is about patience and cost averaging.

Example:

You invest $5,000 in Microsoft shares and plan to hold them for 5 years. Over this period, you collect dividends, and the stock price grows, increasing your capital. Even if the market fluctuates, a long-term strategy allows you to gradually accumulate profit and form the foundation of your future retirement.

Why it matters for your retirement portfolio:

Unlike a government pension, which is fixed and barely grows, stock investments offer real opportunities for passive income. Historically, major company stocks retain value and often outpace inflation. Combining different assets reduces risk and increases the likelihood of returns.

A generation that relies on the government gets a “coffee-and-croissant” pension. A generation that invests builds capital that feeds them for years. So the question “pension or portfolio?” isn’t even a choice - it’s a test: are you ready to take control of your tomorrow, or will you keep believing in fairy tales?