Why are there so many people that are old enough to retire, decide to work longer? You'd think they'd be glad to quit working and enjoy their golden years. That way, younger out-of-work-people could have those jobs, while the retired are traveling and enjoying life. Not criticizing, but just wondering.

Would you retire or keep working? I'd retire.
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09-29-03, 05:19 PM
MommyTimesTwo
I'd also retire. But I can tell you that neither of my parents plan to retire and never work again. Both are going to work, just at things they'd like to do rather than what they had to do to support a family.

09-29-03, 07:50 PM
jusork
I think it's probably just because they can, and so they continue. They think they are fit enough and so continue for a little longer.

09-29-03, 08:44 PM
Sherasi
Honi, that is assuming they CAN afford to retire. Often, medications and health Insurance they need costs less on a Health Plan through their work than it would being paid out of pocket.

I know many people thought that Soical Security was supposed to be their "retirement" and it is extremely miniscule in comparison to current living expenses. They didn't save independently and now they have to work to survive.

My mom will have to work for quite a while past her retirement age as she didn't save enough for her retirement yet... I plan on carefully preparing for almost any contingency for MY retirement.. assuming no SS benefits, assuming extreme cost for insurance, etc.

Today, it is just smart to think way ahead of your need.

09-29-03, 10:24 PM
Kelleygirl
Not only health insurance is keeping 'em at work but lots of people were going to depend on their investments in the stock market and we all know how these went to down the drain.

09-30-03, 07:50 AM
MrsS
Kelleygirl, you are spot on.....my grandfather, who is/was a clinical social worker, was set to retire 25 years ago, at age 64...then something went wrong with his pension plan (an S&L failure that wiped out a lot of folks), so he put in another 10 years, then retired...only to begin a private practice and work another 5 years to ensure his and my Grandma's "Golden Years" will not be the "Do we pay the pharmacy or the grocery? years"...also, Remember, a lot today's seniors were born in the depression.... many have a work ethic that borders on mania based on the experience of their youth.

09-30-03, 08:10 AM
gizmogram
At work we have a woman who is 72 and can't retire due to the cost of her medications and the fact she couldn't be without her health insurance.

The good thing about it, is that although I'm sure she would love to retire, she loves her job and receives alot of gratification from it.

I'm pretty sure I'll be working until the day I die, if physically able to (knock on wood). I think I would be bored silly if I didn't work!

09-30-03, 09:39 AM
Georgia85
What's interesting Honi is the people who have enough service years in with the company I work for, BellSouth and can retire at like age 50 do....but only to end up getting another job they enjoy more.

Bottom line - it's just not financially feasible to retire because you cannot live off your pension anymore and you need to supplement your "income". Sad but true.

09-30-03, 11:45 AM
Christine
My in-laws are near 80, and are both just retiring from their second careers. They are,
fortunately, OK financialy, but are already wondering what they'll do all day. The idea of being idle is foreign to them. Smile The depression age work ethic is really strong, I hope I have the energy and the desire when I'm their age.

09-30-03, 12:07 PM
DvdGStwrt
Ah yes those golden years, after 30+ years of the day old grind, getting set in my ways and feeling that as long as I'm working I am contributing something to society I can see retirement as a death sentence.

I have no urge to travel - been there, done that. Most often retirement means going on the government dole - Trust me, you can't do anything except sit at home and figure out how to pay all those bills. (Gee I'm doing that bill thing today)

Younger, out of work people are there because either they are unwilling to take on the drudge jobs or the companies are unwilling to hire 'fresh' kids.

My niece's biggest problem with getting a job (she is 17) is that she has no experience. Yet what companies are willing to give a kid that experience? Hello out there Businesses - think a little.

I started working in the Tobacco Fields when I was 15. Tobacco is hard, dirty work - seasonal - all year round - Planting, topping, cutting, hanging, stripping, baling then planting again - Dirty, hard labor which I did after school and on weekends. That is drudge work.

From there I moved on to other careers like Dish washer, Bus boy - Stock boy and finally cashier - Yeah, that drug store had room for advancement alright. I advanced slowly, picking and choosing jobs, getting more work experience before moving on. My resume reads like a horror story, The horrors of hard labor, intensive butt kissing jobs and the horrors of the mundane, minimum wage positions that we equate with illegal Alien workers.

But I moved on, I soon reached hotel work, then managerial work - always climbing.

Having taken this long, hard road, and finally reaching the point where I am self employed (Pay is lousy, the job is medium hard and there is presently this stall in the business which if that boss of mine doesn't do something quick means I'll be out of work Wink) I would be most reluctant to give it up. I enjoy my job - I have reached the point in my life where I am doing something I like to do, and I even get paid for it! ---- Well sometimes I get paid - LOL

Having already gone through this, being deemed 'disabled' when I felt that I was still able to hold down a 9-5 and be a contributing member of society - I got so terribly depressed when I was 'forced' into temporary retirement.

That pay was worse than what I am making right now, and the extra added benefits such as feeling worthless and seeing myself as a burden on society made that period of my life pure hell.

Retire - Not if I can crawl to work -

I do not work for money - Well I earn money, but that is not why I work - I work because it feels good - it feels right, I know that when I am working I am doing something.

Man was not made to be couch potato - Man was not made to just sit around doing nothing - Man is created with a drive to "do something" Work fits that right nicely. Please, please do not take that away from me, even if I am 102 and still able to move about.

Cheers

David

09-30-03, 04:06 PM
honilov
Such nice replies. Thanks. As for me I'm tired of going to work everyday. I like my job but I'll be willing to let someone else have it. Unless I develop a sickness that will wipe out all my savings, I'm gonna retire and enjoy life with what I've worked so hard for, instead of leaving it here for someone else to enjoy. Frown

10-01-03, 03:28 PM
Ewood27
Well, I retired at 50. Had to for health reasons (which wouldn't have disqualified me in most professions). I would have gone at 55 anyway. It worked out quite well. My wife's health also gave problems, and I could be there to help.

I'm lucky that the money side is OK. I'm getting a lot less, of course, but my needs are also less. Retirement income is either enough - or it isn't.

I have no desire whatever to take another job. I've done enough working for other people, and have no urge to start my own business. Mind you, after 17 years of idleness it becomes a habit!

10-01-03, 04:49 PM
NCcichlid
I'll not retire, any more than I currently am retired.

I'll continue enjoying the benefits of being self-employed, working when I want, playing when I want, sleeping when I want, and spending what I want.

What a miserable life I lead Wink

10-01-03, 05:08 PM
shelster
Thats what I want NC. I will probably keep working because I enjoy the fullfillment I get from it. But, I will work on my terms. My hours, etc....

12-25-03, 07:55 AM
Super Atheist
i have 2 guys i work with that are both about 70 years old. they refuse to retire. i think that they are afraid, they wouldnt know what to do with them selfs. when you get to be that age, i dont thionk they have much going on in there social life. it sucks, cause they complain all day and there are alot young pleople just starting out , with familys that could use the jobs, especialy in this econamy

12-28-03, 12:10 AM
Elexina
My mom says she can never retire because then she would be with my father all day long instead of just some of the day, and then she'd kill him.
Me, I'm ready to retire now. I figure, I'll retire 'til I'm forty, then work 'til I die. How about that?

This message has been edited. Last edited by: DorianGreyed,