Would you rather keep working even if you didn't have to?

[bjl584]

This is a popular question in the FIRE communities.

Many say that they want to remain active in retirement, even if that means they keep working at their career, or maybe a different job.
Some will say that continuing to work could be a sign of not having any interests outside of work. Your career defines you, and you are "lost" if it goes away.

What say you?
What are your plans once you can financially walk away from your career?

[Fishindude77]

There are a number of people that don't have many interests or hobbies outside of their work, and retirement doesn't look too fun to them. If that's your attitude and you enjoy your work, I don't see a darned thing wrong with it.
We've all heard stories about long time workers that retire, sit around the house with nothing to do and are dead in pretty short order. That's no good.

A close friend of mine is one of these types. He's 71 years old, works in management on industrial construction projects and really likes the work. Myself and other friends have been hounding him to retire so he can join us on fishing trips, etc. but he keeps working. Unfortunately, he had a bad stroke about a week ago, is hospitalized and only God knows how he is going to get through this. Seems it would be a darned shame to work all those years and never get to have any kind of decent retirement, but to each their own.

I knew I'd go nuts in retirement without plenty of work to keep me busy so we bought a couple farms while I was working. ON a farm there is always got some sort of fun physical project to work on and I can do things on my schedule and pace.
Goof off and play around when I want to and do chores and work when I want to. at some point some of this physical work may get to be too much, but for now it's a good exercise regime.

[ua_guy]

I like the phrase "work optional" for retirement and before official retirement, too, if one can manage. I think removing the necessity of work is important milestone. Whether or not to keep working and how to stay active, or not, that's up to the person living out their final years or decades of their life.

I admire my parents' style of retirement. They don't seem to miss their former jobs, but that doesn't mean they aren't active. They've spent the last 17 years traveling, adventuring, pursuing hobbies, spending time with family, volunteering, focusing on physical fitness, tending to their home. They go go go non-stop, it's impressive. But they aren't tied to jobs for basic needs and have no worries of ever having to go back to that.

[Drake3287]

For 32 years I had the best job in the world, right up there with being an Astronaut or professional ball player, once I left I never looked back. Everyday is a Sunday now and I can do anything I want. Life's too short to keep working. I also believe having a wife you still love and get along with helps a lot. Being single would be a different story in retirement life.

[pacerob]

Staying active after financial freedom matters more than quitting work itself—purpose can come from passion projects, part-time roles, or new skills. Platforms like business betterme the official website help structure that shift, offering wellness and productivity tools to build a balanced, fulfilling post-career life.