Retirement Isn’t For Everyone

My father retired when he was 58. He worked for the Department of Defense, and the combination of his years on the job and his military service during World War II made him eligible to retire at 55. He stayed on the job for a few more years to finish a project he had been working on.?

For the first 15 years, retirement agreed with him. He took up target shooting with some of his friends. He and my mother traveled to Europe and went to the Kentucky Derby. He worked on a lot of projects around the house.

And then he stopped. He stopped doing much of anything except watch TV and play Solitaire.

It wasn’t long before he started becoming forgetful. And soon after that, he began to exhibit more signs of Alzheimer’s disease. I took my father to see a gerontologist neurologist who confirmed that, yes, my father did have Alzheimer’s disease. The neurologist told me that while Alzheimer’s cannot be prevented, it can be delayed by maintaining an active lifestyle and doing something every day.

“It doesn’t matter if you volunteer or work as a greeter at Walmart. Just do something,” I vividly remember him telling me.

That was the day I decided I would never retire.

Late 60s and still working full-time

I am 67 years old and working a full-time copywriter and editor job that I enjoy. I do as much freelance writing as I can. And I have this project — Living After 60 — that I launched a few months ago. Add in yardwork and other projects around the house, and I am a busy man.

Sure. I’ve made some changes in my work life. I had a job in which I managed 11 people. When I lost that job at age 60, I decided never to do it again. I want no part of managing others, climbing the corporate ladder, or angling for promotions. I am concentrating on what I enjoy doing and what I am good at: writing.

I am not alone

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics says nearly 10 million Americans aged 65 and older were part of the workforce in 2022. That number is expected to grow to 13 million older adults remaining employed by 2028. A study by the Transamerica Center for Retirement Studies showed that 55% of workers plan to continue working after they can retire. Many say they are motivated by a desire for purpose, social engagement, and mental stimulation.

Freedom to choose

One of the best things I’ve found about working at my age is the freedom it brings. I am working because I enjoy it, and it brings me fulfillment. But I always know that I can leave if my job becomes unpleasant. I am not stuck there.

In the last few years of my father’s career, he worked under what he and his colleagues called “KMA Time.” That meant that as long as they enjoyed what they were doing, they would continue to show up every day and do their jobs the best they could. But if something happened that they did not like, they could go to their boss and say, “Kiss my ass … I just retired.”

When you choose to keep working, your job can bring you joy. It may be the satisfaction of mentoring younger colleagues, the excitement of solving complex problems, or the simple pleasure of daily interactions with co-workers. Eliminating work pressures can turn it into a gratifying part of daily life.

Social and mental health benefits

Continuing to work also offers significant social and mental health benefits. The workplace can be a critical source of social interaction, helping overcome the isolation that sometimes accompanies retirement. Staying mentally active through work-related challenges and learning new skills can help keep your mind sharp and reduce the risk of cognitive decline.

A 2020 study by the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health found that older adults who remain active and engaged, whether through work, volunteering, or hobbies, report higher overall well-being. They experience lower levels of depression and anxiety compared to those who fully retire and disengage from such activities.

Balancing work and leisure

Another benefit of working after you reach retirement age is that you can choose the work-life balance you want. Many older adults prefer to work part-time, take on consulting roles, or engage in seasonal work that allows for periods of rest and travel. That lets them enjoy the best of both worlds: the stimulation and purpose of work and the freedom to pursue leisure activities.

You can also use a part-time job to stay active while you figure out what you want to do for the rest of your life. When I was out of work a few years ago, I worked part-time in a local Wegmans supermarket's beer and wine department. Many of my colleagues had retired from their careers and were working at Wegmans to stay busy and earn extra cash. Side note: Wegmans was an excellent employer who worked to ensure that older adults could work the schedules they wanted to work.

It’s all up to you

The decision to continue working after you reach retirement age is personal, influenced by your desires, goals, and circumstances. But what is clear is that the traditional notion of retirement is changing into an opportunity to live the life you want and grow.

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