One think I like to keep in mind with this sort of situation is that building retirement savings and an emergency fund can have immediate benefits of the added security blanket they provide, aside from the long-term goal of retirement.

Even if someone got a late start or has a high amount of debt and retirement isn't looking so possible, building a safety net and improving your financial situation is never a bad idea.

I just got laid off myself, and while I'm many years away from any kind of potential retirement, my savings over the last several years put my mind at ease because I know I can easily go a year if I have to without any additional employment, even though hopefully I'll have a new job much sooner than that.