It's not heartless at all;it's actually a good goal. However, it IS heartless to assume that because others have not had the same circumstances -- and luck -- that you have had they must be slackers looking for government hand-outs.
Why are you assuming this? I'm certainly not. Facts indicate that the vast majority of people in the US don't bother saving for retirement - until it's too late. Are the facts so heartless that they should never be mentioned in a discussion regarding getting laid off as one ages?