The idea of working well past retirement age is something that really would depend on the type of work that you have already been doing, I think. If you do some kind of office work, and physical condition is not an imporant factor, then there is no reason that a person could not continue doing this, at least in a part-time way, or (even better) working from home. One acquaintence works as a transcriptionist for a doctor's office, and she is able to so it from home , right on her computer. She listens to the doctor's dictation, and then types it up on the computer and submits it. She works a regular schedule every day, just like any other job. My daughter was a helicopter engine mechanic in the army, and now works for one of the companies that contract for the military. She no longer does the heavy mechanical work on the engines, but she is involved in ordering parts and things like that. Most days she also works from home, unless she has to go to the office for a big meeting or something along that nature. Sometimes, I think a person just needs to know when to quit, though , as this poor old policeman who seems to be working well beyond his "Golden Years".
I'd like to do want 102 year-old Ruth Gruber did in her lifetime. I may not do something as great, but I'd like to work with people in a disability program or institution. I'd have to study and acquire a Certificate IV to do that. But I think I still can pull it off. A friend of ours worked in IT and a top manager. Now, at 65, she works as a Disability Care management personnel. http://www.timesofisrael.com/the-woman-who-launched-1000-jewish-refugees/
My husband had turned 60 and he is not giving up his consultancy job albeit he plans to work until in his 80s. He has some colleagues who are in their 70s now and are still looking good. The oldest colleague in their office was 79 when he passed away, still employed. That's a nice scenario to think, that old but still working and enjoying the office.
I'm 54 and still living check to check. Retirement is as realistic for me as winning the lottery. I would love to be able to retire before I'm 80, but social security is kind of a joke when its your only income. I don't know, though. Maybe something will give and I'll be able to retire in the next decade or so.
I remember my father in law who went to the US in 1992 on the strength of his being a world war 2 veteran. After his oath-taking as an American citizen, he got a job and even underwent training to learn how to operate the computer. At 66 and coming from a low -tech country, he was really good to pass that training. At age 80, he was still working as a security guard of a bank branch. On the side, he was also working for another company in the maintenance department. I would say that working made him strong. So I guess I want to follow the footsteps of my father in law.
I'm sixty three and we never have any money in the bank. Barring winning the lottery, my wife and I will have to depend on Social Security. Plus, we have only two more payments on an hundred acres of land so at some point, in our old age, we might be able to sell that.
I'm 73, will be 74 before the year ends, and have been retired for 8 years. I'm glad I waited until full retirement age but also glad I didn't keep working. I have a decent income with my pension and SS. My home and vehicles are paid for and I have a small amount of money in mutual funds. I spend a lot less than my income every month. I have friends and relatives who retired early and struggle to pay their bills. Each person needs to take a close look at their situation and then make your plans. I'm in fairly good shape financially but I still buy lottery tickets.
I will probably work as long as I am able to. I actually enjoy coming to work and can't imagine my life without working. I have been working since I was old enough to get a job. I have been with my current employer for almost 30 years now. There is no pension plan with the company I am with. I really don't have a whole lot saved up for retirement or own anything that I could sell. It is hard to do when you are the only one working and trying to make ends meet each month. I do all right now. I do worry about my retirement years though and how I will survive then. For now I just work day to day and make the most of it. I am 52 right now and still in good health so I hope my health will remain that way for a bit. Retirement is still a ways off for me.
That reminds me of Mr. Dinh. His wife and he came over from Vietnam during the Vietnamese war. Having nothing when they got here, he got a job as a custodian at the college. Within 20 years he was still a custodian at the college, and owned more property in the growing college town than anyone else. At 90 years old, and millions of dollars richer, he passed away. He was one of the happiest people I had ever met. And his wife was a wonderful landlady.
@Jennifer Graves here is another Filipino oldtimer in the US. My husband's uncle who bought a retirement house in a resort city here called Tagaytay. He was working in LA's architectural group and just resigned at age 82 because his wife had wanted that retirement house built so that uncle came over and supervised the construction. He is still strong at 84 now and really regretted that he resigned. His wife died last year and now he is back in America for a vacation but maybe he would be looking for a job. By the way, he is an architect here and his works there as an Estimator.
I I think it depends on a person's definition of "work" and "retirement age". For me, "work" is already a way of life that enables me to be involved in productive endeavors. "Retirement age" is the day I will die. Thus, even if I just availed of early retirement from my most recent employer, I will still continue to be productive through a small business I will soon put up. Doing my share in community and/or church services is also part of my plan in the near future. I hope and pray that my "retirement age" does not happen soon.
I foresee myself very busy in the workforce as employed at that age (70) For 28 years, I'd like a change in my world when my children get older. Retirement is not a looking-forward-to for me. My husband would be facing his in 10 years time. But I hope he still would want to continue working-- to keep fit and productive.
Last week I was beset with an overload of stress such that I was thinking of an early retirement - I am now eligible for that since 50 is the minimum age when you can get your retirement pay free of tax. But then I got to think it over, what to do after my career in the office? I might be more stressed at home doing nothing. So that gets me thinking of what I really want to do when I finally retire, that's 8 years from now. Another job is not an option unless I would be hired as consultant which is a remote possibility. Over here, a retired person has very little chances of finding a job so the retirement pay is very important. Most of the retirees put up small businesses like selling for the occupation and not for the income.
As long as I keep being alive and healthy enough to keep going on, I have never considered to retire any time, but to keep working until the end of my days, with the grace of God