Life Afer Work
CNN.com has a series on retirement, Life After Work.
It covers both the emotional and financial aspects of retirement, as well as choosing to work beyond retirement age. They’re even asking for reader retirement stories.
Even though I’m not getting any younger, I’ve never thought a whole lot about retirement other than the requisite saving plan, and, I suspect that probably isn’t enough (note to self: check on that).
I’m talking more about the emotional, and, logistical aspects of it. I think it’s because I’ve never really had a model for it. I don’t really know how it works, or, what people do.
When my mother got sick, she was employed full time, and, even continued to work after starting chemotherapy. My father, a Marine through and through, will turn 75 this year, and, teaches high school full time.
Until yesterday, I’ve never heard him say anything about retirement, and, even then he said it as if it would be 20 years from now. And, I think the only reason he said it then is that we’re at the beach, and, retirement here looks appealing to me, too.
So, while I read articles about retirement, they are mostly financial, and, less about how real people act when they are retired. Since “75 is the new 65″, I guess retirement isn’t aged people hanging out, playing checkers, anymore.
I’d better listen up, even if I’m only “the new 32″.
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POSTED IN: Retirement
5 opinions for Life Afer Work
Linda
Jul 10, 2007 at 9:23 am
Heh. I saw “life after work” and immediately thought of the pre-kids years when I was able to go to happy hour! :)
Gary Geyer
Jul 10, 2007 at 1:04 pm
Hi Elizabeth,
I found your blog very relevant to that which 50plus people are experiencing today. Both on my blog (http://garygeyer.blogspot.com) and website at http://www.letlifein.com we try to deal with issues, controversies and concerns of those 50+ and I would like to include you on our blogroll. I would also welcome your thoughts and articles to be featured on our site - naturally as appropriate. Please contact me for if you are interested.
Micki
Jul 15, 2007 at 1:46 pm
Elizabeth - I know that working at 75 years old isn’t for everyone, but I think it’s great that your Dad continues to. It seems to me that some who work to that age may prolong their lives as a result of it.
Karen
Jul 15, 2007 at 4:37 pm
I think it’s great your father continues to work, and want to continue. I am especially proud of him staying in teaching. Twenty nine years did me in! But I must say, I am happily retired, and I am busier than ever (recent complications exempted). I hope your father can work as long as it makes him happy.
Groovy
Jul 21, 2007 at 10:34 am
My mom is 68 and sending out resumes even as I type. This is when she is not co-dependantly calling me long distance to ask my HOW to make a resume and HOW to make her computer behave (a question I can never answer because I have a Mac and it always behaves and PCs terrify me…She ALWAYS asks me anyway.) and can I get her some adresses and phone numbers of places in MY area. (hint-hint) Then, when I get her those addresses/phone numbers she forgets which places offer which jobs and which human resources person goes with which number and what place did I tell her was so cool and…
I really wish she had been able to save up so she COULD retire!
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