We never had extra cash to purchase gold or silver. We had to use most of our retirement savings for a life-threatening medical situation for one of our children (after we retired) and haven't (and won't) be able to build it back better (or at all actually).
Sucks, but we can make it - not including debt payments.
This is what they did in Ireland too, vulture funds (mostly based in New York, any guesses what tribe), bought all the bank “debt” for pennies, then pressed for the full amount.
It was institutional theft with a more than complicit civil service who only wanted their pay and pensions protected.
All swept under the rug now.