"I'm years away from retirement age, but I don't think I'll ever fully retire. Working keeps me mentally sharp and motivated, and I can't imagine stopping. Though I'm saving money in case something happens, I don't imagine ever fully retiring. My work is a huge part of my identity. Retirement, at least in the traditional sense, feels like it would be stepping away from all of that. For some people, that's the dream."
"Staying mentally sharp as I get older is non-negotiable My work helps keep me thinking and my mind razor-sharp. For example, with the rise of AI, I've had to adapt quickly by learning how to use new tools without losing my own voice, and I often interview people from completely different walks of life. One day I might be talking with a registered dietitian about blood sugar research, and the next, a fitness trainer to break down the latest workout trend."
"I've heard too many stories of people who retire with more than enough in the bank, only to find themselves restless and dissatisfied within a year. They end up consulting, volunteering, starting a small business, or . Often, this isn't because they have to, but because they want to feel finding part-time workuseful again. The picture of retirement I saw growing up just isn't for me"
Work remains central to identity, making full retirement undesirable. Working keeps the mind sharp and provides motivation through ongoing learning and diverse conversations. Adaptation to new tools like AI and interviewing experts across fields reinforces cognitive engagement and purpose. Financial preparedness exists as a safety measure, but continued work is preferred not for income but for fulfillment. Observed cases of retirees becoming restless lead to consulting, volunteering, or part-time ventures to regain usefulness. A narrow cultural model of retirement—work for decades then stop entirely for leisure—does not fit the preferred future; a blended or continuing-work model aligns better with long-term wellbeing.
Read at Business Insider
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