Working into your 80's

[bjl584]

Probably not the path I will take, but whether fear of boredom or irrelevancy, some are choosing to stay in the workforce.

Why High-Powered People Are Working in Their 80s - WSJ

[disneysteve]

No thanks. I'll pass.

I think this just speaks to retirement in general, really. There are folks who can't wait to retire because they have so much they want to be doing. Then there are folks who can't imagine not working because their work is their life. They always say you need to be retiring TO something, not just FROM something.

I am not one of those people who needs my job to feel relevant in the world. Since cutting my hours back last August, I've been busier than I have ever been. I still don't have time to do all the things I'd like to do and I'm only working 8 hrs/wk.

All of that said, I kind of like what I'm doing now. It's a good balance. I mostly work 9-1 Saturday and Sunday and off Monday-Friday. I don't think I'll still be doing that when I'm 80 but I can definitely see myself continuing this for longer than I thought when I was still in family practice 6+ years ago.

[kork13]

It's very much an issue of feeling valued, relevant, and connected to other people. Retirees need that to not feel bored, but it also drives health considerations. Many studies have shown the health benefits of staying active, connected, and engaged as an elderly person. Perhaps someone can do that at home, on the golf course, or jet setting across the globe. Others may need the structure of a job to get that feeling of involvement & relevance. I won't begrudge that choice, though I'm pretty sure I won't want to do that myself.

[srblanco7]

Planning on transitioning to ER in May of 2024. Though I'm keeping my plans (mostly) confidential at work, I've given my current boss a "heads up" on my plan and he's supportive. He asked if I'd stay on part-time (could be regular or casual - that's TBD). I've largely wrapped my head around that being the likely outcome - out of respect for him, to ensure a smooth transition to my successor, and it'll be helpful in mitigating sequence of returns risk.

That being said, that arrangement will only continue for a year or two. Definitely can not see myself continuing to work into my 80s. Our plan is to stay in our current northern locale for a couple years and to use vacations to scout potential southern retirement locations. If that comes to fruition, could end up feeling a bit cooped up in the winter, so I could see also see myself picking up some seasonal employment to help pass the time as well.

[Fishindude77]

Every time I start thinking about picking up a part time retirement job I come to my senses and realize that I would very quickly grow tired of having responsibilities and a schedule held over my head by an employer.

[disneysteve]

Every time I start thinking about picking up a part time retirement job I come to my senses and realize that I would very quickly grow tired of having responsibilities and a schedule held over my head by an employer.

That's the great thing about my gig. I make my schedule. When I first went per diem last summer, I was jumping as soon as the new schedule came out and claiming 2 shifts per week for the full 6 weeks of the schedule. I gradually eased back as I settled in and realized that a) there are always open shifts and b) if I didn't get 8 hrs one week, we'd be just fine. The past month or so, I've been picking up shifts just for the next couple of weeks, not planning weeks or a month or more ahead.

[ua_guy]

I'm reminded of a past Super Bowl commercial from ETrade, "This is Getting Old", a sad but humorous take on people forced to work into their 80's who didn't save enough for retirement. I suppose if you love your job or find a sense of identity/purpose that can't be found in non-working retirement, then, great! But that's not the reality for a lot of older people in the workforce. They have to be there.

Here's the commercial clip from Youtube:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d56-22bpyh0

[Petunia 100]

My mom still volunteers 3 days per week at a food bank. She is 90 years old.

[disneysteve]

My mom still volunteers 3 days per week at a food bank. She is 90 years old.

My mom is 92. The only reason she doesn't really volunteer anymore is because they changed the rules in her building so that residents could no longer do what they used to do. It was probably an insurance thing. She used to help in the kitchen prepping meals and setting up for parties and such, but they got told a couple of years ago that only employees could be in the kitchen going forward. She used to do so much that they actually put her on the payroll at one point so she could keep working. It all stopped when COVID hit and hasn't resumed, so she was doing it until she was about 88 or so.

[Frugal Bugler]

One of the things that most seniors (over FRA) do not consider about working is that if they have a work accident and go on Workman's Comp, the
become part of Workman's Comp for any medical issues related to the accident and are NOT covered by Medicare. One of my friends, aged 72, is
deemed fit to return to work after two years on WC. She can only collect while attending job retraining and actively seeking employment that will
pay the difference between income and the compensation amount. How many employers do YOU think are looking to hire a 72 year old lady with
historic $80k management experience? Once off Workman's Comp, medical bills (even accident related) are not covered. The attorneys are telling
her NOT to settle or will forfeit any future or further expenses. So, if she does get a job she will have to keep it for four years. I had never heard of
such a thing but apparently it should be something worth mentioning to seniors because there appears to be no exit plan from a catastrophic
accident. (She broke both shoulders and a hip with metal rods halfway down each arm that Medicare wants no part of).