As a Verizon customer I agree completely. What you mention at the end may be happening though. Most of the smaller companies don't block stuff like that intentionally, and I think Verizon is having to respond somewhat. I have a Blackberry Storm and the GPS is unlocked. I can also connect it directly to the computer to copy on and off files (or download from the internet) music, video, photos, I can even use the music as free ringtones, all of which Verizon has disallowed on some phones in the past. It doesn't have a slower processor, or less memory than other carriers' versions either, which they have also done. Several other recent phones are similarly unlimited as well. They have relied on their network quality to get and maintain customers despite their inferior, often intentionally hobbled hardware and I hope they will be forced by the marketplace to change those practices.

This is not the case if those people have wisely continuously shifted their investments to less risky portfolio allocations as retirement approaches. You might still lose a significant chunk of money, as you probably aren't completely out of equities, but the majority that is invested conservatively will keep you going while the market recovers. If you retire at 60 and live until 85 you still have a very long time horizon to recover losses.