Why don't old folks retire when they can?

[ClonesTwentyOne]

All I see and hear are old folks working till they're dead. They don't retire when they easily can. They just work, and sometimes work hard. I just don't get it. Maybe it's their generation where they know nothing, but work. I know once I'm set for retirement I'm riding into the sunset immediately. Do these folks not have hobbies or an outside life? Are they just workaholics? Why people work into their 70s and 80s is beyond me.

 

[Rabbuk]

Because Americans are defined by their work.

 

[ClonesTwentyOne]

Because Americans are defined by their work.

No one should dedicate their whole life to a company

 

[Wesley]

Some like workplace better than their home situation.

 

[bawbie]

Why so judgey??

if people enjoy their jobs and are healthy enough to do it well, let them. My grandmother was a nurse. She is quite well off and could have retired whenever, but she felt rewarded by helping people and didn't retire until her 80th birthday.

 

[ClonesTwentyOne]

Why so judgey??

if people enjoy their jobs and are healthy enough to do it well, let them. My grandmother was a nurse. She is quite well off and could have retired whenever, but she felt rewarded by helping people and didn't retire until her 80th birthday.

not judging. I just don't understand. I guess I just wouldn't want to put up with the bull **** of bosses and management at that age

 

[jkclone]

I think there is a difference between situations. Some people genuinely enjoy their jobs and it is a hobby. Others are workaholics.

 

[cowgirl836]

I think there is a difference between situations. Some people genuinely enjoy their jobs and it is a hobby. Others are workaholics.

plus it's better for your brain to stay engaged. Not that I want to work full-time until I die.

 

[jdoggivjc]

All I see and hear are old folks working till they're dead. They don't retire when they easily can. They just work, and sometimes work hard. I just don't get it. Maybe it's their generation where they know nothing, but work. I know once I'm set for retirement I'm riding into the sunset immediately. Do these folks not have hobbies or an outside life? Are they just workaholics? Why people work into their 70s and 80s is beyond me.

Shouldn't you move out of your mom's basement before you start planning for your retirement?

 

[ISUAgronomist]

#millennial

 

[ClonesTwentyOne]

Shouldn't you move out of your mom's basement before you start planning for your retirement?

Wow.

 

[ClonesTwentyOne]

plus it's better for your brain to stay engaged. Not that I want to work full-time until I die.

Engaged into what? I'd keep my mind engaged into family and grand children. As well as my outside hobbies. There is soooo much to do instead of work

 

[Rhoadhoused]

Hardwire your brain to do something for 50 years 5 days a week and you might feel different is my take on it.


Right now in my 20s with less freedom, expertise, salary, ect it seems crazy but do something that long and become an expert who can do what they want and get paid a lot, maybe I'd feel different. Especially since I'm not even 5 years removed from having essentially no responsibility.

 

[SCNCY]

I think for some, they just can't imagine life without work. I also think that generation still has the don't ask what your country can do for you, but what YOU can do for your country mindset.

I have also talked to my dad about this. Several years ago, he was pretty set on retiring on the day he was eligible for. But now, he is talking about working past the retirement age. I told him he should go into consulting for himself so that he can kind of be a part time worker. Work on a couple projects for a couple of months, then take a month off and repeat.

 

[CarlHungus]

Probably a lot of reasons. Some probably would get bored with retirement, some probably didn't invest like they should have when they were younger, and some probably had **** poor investments

 

[Mr Janny]

not judging. I just don't understand. I guess I just wouldn't want to put up with the bull **** of bosses and management at that age

spoken like someone with a crappy job.

If your work is fulfilling, you don't have to "put up" with anything.

 

[CycloneErik]

not judging. I just don't understand. I guess I just wouldn't want to put up with the bull **** of bosses and management at that age

It's easy to put up with when you don't need it anymore, i.e. can quit whenever you want.

Some of it depends on the field. In my case, I'm intending on working til 70, because I tend to be energetic and should still be going strong. After that, though, I'm just blocking the next generation from landing a job, and it's time to get out of the way.

 

[ClonesTwentyOne]

spoken like someone with a crappy job.

If your work is fulfilling, you don't have to "put up" with anything.

I enjoy what I do. I just don't agree with certain policies.

 

[CascadeClone]

If your work is fulfilling, you don't have to "put up" with anything.

This.

If you enjoy what you do - for the fulfillment, social connections, etc - then it's not much different than an enjoyable hobby.

 

[dualthreat]

I'm thankful every day my parents worked as hard as they have to give me the opportunities I've gotten. My grandparents worked even harder.

Things used to be a lot tougher than what they are today. You earned what you got. If you didn't want to work, you didn't get anything.

I can completely understand loving what you do and want to continue to work. I also understand it might be tough to just hang it up.

It's good to be productive.