I read an article the other day that had me wondering about retirement again. The article was about the positive side of flunking retirement! The article’s research (link here) indicated that, “Only 44% of the people who stop working ever consider themselves to be happy in retirement.” So apparently 56% of people should actually “flunk retirement” and either keep working or return to work, in order to be happier.
This article raised a few thoughts:
- I tend to think less of people who continue to work when they don’t need to continue to work. I recognize that many have to continue to work to survive. But I’ve internalized a belief that if someone can retire and doesn’t, they don’t really “get” that retirement can be an amazing time of life, that stopping the workaholic treadmill is healthy, and that they are somehow just not doing things “right”. This article shed a different light on this belief; retirement from work might not be right for everyone!
- It confirmed for me the challenge of retirement for many. “The idea that you can replace those things (i.e. fulfilling and satisfying careers, work connections, etc.) with personal interests, hobbies or making new friends, proves to be false.” I still struggle with replacing connections and having a sense of utility 10 years into retirement. But I have also learned to appreciate time just being, not feeling rushed in trying to do everything, and having time to mono-task versus multi-task.
- Yes, once again I am comparing myself to others. Since the article claimed that those who fail retirement are more likely to be “highly effective, accomplished, creative, competitive, curious, easily bored, goal oriented and altruistic” and I’d like to consider myself many of those things, now I ‘m feeling like I’m failing at failing!
But, I’m one of the 44%. The minority who is happy with retirement. The minority who has found a series of hobbies, clubs, and exercise routines that keeps me energized (most days). I really have no desire to return to working (even part time) and am fortunate that I do not need to financially. I will continue to work on building connections and feeling a sense of achievement. I will stop thinking less of those who follow a different path as they continue to work or return to working. And I will stop feeling like I’ve failed at failing!
Do you feel like you’re in the minority who’s happy with retirement? Or would you be happier flunking retirement – continuing to working later in life or even returning to work?
Picture Credit: My first railroad vine flower!
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I retired from a full time (++ with the call that is part of being an operating room trauma nurse) career and now work in a small one theatre operating room. The patients are healthy, I still do some staff education (which I love) and my surgeons are fabulous to work with. We have windows and free lunch and parking. It’s like a dream job that I go to perhaps 3 to 6 times a month. I 100% know that I will be totally happy in retirement but at 65 I am still contributing in a significant way to the health of these patients that we see. I enjoy it. I could quit as I don’t need to work financially but it is still enjoyable (maybe more so now that I don’t work in a high stress environment although it took me a few years to come “down” to this level) and I will continue to work until it seems like something is slipping. Bernie
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Bernie, while I didn’t like how the article made it sound like continuing to work was the “right thing” for retirement, it did open my eyes to how it could be the right thing for many. I think your 3-6 times a month doing work you love in a fabulous environment sound wonderful!
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It is still working for me. I do know that I find 2 per week long and am physically tired after that. So we shall see how long I go for. Bernie
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I am definitely enjoying retirement, Pat. While I am still finding the right balance of activities (and being still), I have never for one moment regretted retiring. The freedom for me is exhilarating.
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Christie, All the comments I’m getting are making me wonder, who was in the research group they interviewed, or have I just surrounded myself, physically and virtually, with the 44%-ers? I am totally with you – I have never regretted retiring! Have I found there to be challenges? Yes. But I am a happier, healthier person now than I was when I was working!
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Pat, I enjoyed this post and the insightful comments that it generated. I agree with Janis that some people can be retired and still working. It wouldn’t be a fulfilling choice for me, but I understand. I also agree with the commenter who said ‘I don’t need to volunteer to live in the service of others’. And, Leanne’s comment about living on our own terms and timetable. So many good nuggest here. Like you, I am firmly in the 44% and happy with my choices.
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Suzanne, I think all the comments made me realize that there is not a “better choice” in the absolute. There is a better choice for each individual, and only that individual will know what the better (fulfilling) choice is for them.
And that we tend to migrate to people who have made similar choices to us. 🙂
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Retirement… the best gig ever! I know it’s not for everyone, but – although I enjoyed my job – I never looked back. Anyway, I consider anyone who makes the choice to continue working or go back to work as “retired.” They are just doing what makes them happy.
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Janis, I continue to work on letting everyone, including myself, be happy with their retirement choice and not feel one choice is better than another. Unfortunately the tone of the article was that continuing to work was the better choice. But for me, it did open my eyes to my internal belief that stopping woking full-time was better. Neither is better in the absolute! As you point out – do what makes you happy!
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Most important, that’s a lovely railroad vine. 👍 Curiously, although I’m around a fair number of retired folk (our synagogue, for instance, is tragically devoid of enough young members), it’s not really something anyone discusses. Based on my general observations, outside of possible health issues for some, my sense is that most everyone is quite satisfied with their retirement experiences. I am am firmly in the 44% camp also, though I do have a part-time job still. I hope that doesn’t exclude me from membership. 😏 – Marty
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Marty, The response I’m getting makes me wonder who the sample pool of people was in their research! Or maybe I’ve just surrounded myself, physically and virtually, with the 44%. I do have a number of individuals I know who are afraid of retirement for fear of losing that feeling of achievement/utility, loss of connection, etc. It takes work (no pun intended) to find that post career, but I don’t think just keeping working, as someone said – on the hamster treadmill, is the best solution either. I’m thrilled that retirement has provided me the time to figure out how to live and not just how to work. [Oh, part-time work is totally different…. the article was all about full-time work/career continuation.]
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Fantastic post Pat! So happy you caught that article too. I very much relate to your take. I too consider myself in the 44percent group. But not all work either. Maybe that’s semi-retired? Who knows! But I’m sure I’m defining “work” differently than they do. Sure, I know that I need to express myself in some regular outlet as I did with my job. Maybe they consider everything that isn’t paid a hobby? But I wouldn’t be able to find that kind of thing to sink into, to grow with, if I wasn’t retired and had the freedom I have now and feel very grateful for. I see my “work” as my “how” — how I express myself and engage with the world. And I do need that. Maybe it’s paid, maybe it’s not. But I’m fortunate that the money doesn’t have to come into the decision. For me, it’s more about autonomy and the pleasure I get from my new “work”. Honestly, I took some umbrage with the notion that those who “flunk” what they consider to be retirement — I think the new version of retirement is a much bigger definition than they are assuming — to have qualities that those who do not flunk must not have. But perhaps I too am internalizing a belief, but the opposite of yours—that the worker bees are more vital. Probably because I needed a replacement for many of the things I got from working — including like you a sense of achievement. But I think the bottom line is how you can fill those needs. For me, writing has become my new thing and I want to grow with it. But my family, my health, making new friends, new adventures, fun, learning, new ways to contribute are part of my life now with equal weight. Retirement gave me the chance to reset/reboot and catch up with the time I was chasing and have choices, including what work fits into my life. I wouldn’t trade it.
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sorry for the typing error. I meant to type in my earlier message: I still need my version of “work”; but not all work either.
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Judi, I’m pretty sure the article was about paid work, but like you I believe that “work” in retirement, to have a sense of achievement or utility,” could be many things. Unpaid work (whether that’s helping family, volunteering) or learning new things can all provide that sense of accomplishment, without having to stay working for money in your career. But the article at least opened my eyes that some might find that the best path for them. I just wish the article did not push that it “should be the preferred path”.
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I share Leanne’s view on retirement. I could not have said it better.
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I am happy with retirement! The time it gives me to travel, see my grandkids in sports and school functions and babysit!
I do at times miss my teaching days! I loved teaching!
I also cherish my free time because I know it is finite!
kathy
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It is amazing to me how much life we can fit in when we stop working full-time!
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My guess is that there’s an overlap of unhappy retirees with extroverted personalities. I’ve yet to meet an introvert who isn’t grooving on retirement. I’d also guess that followers who are used to being told what to do have a worse time in retirement than leaders who are used to taking charge. These are guesses, but ones based on personal observations.
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Happily retired extrovert here-5y out and now 63yo. My career was consuming. On- call OR Nursing and then Leadership 24/7 never stops and it was an exhausting 4 decades.
I fully admit to ‘not getting’ someone who CHOOSES to keep working and constantly talks about not having time for this or that. “Dude, it’s a choice”!
Happy Monday ya’ll 🙂
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Elle, I totally agree with the “it’s a choice”, but I also know I struggled with making choices while working that might have given me a more balanced life back then. Holding on to what you know, the routines you have – that was me. So now, I’ve been known to say, “I worked for 32 years with no life; so now I’ll live for 32 years with no work!”
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Interesting points, Ally. In applying them to my own experience. I am both an introvert and a leader, and I am loving retirement…so perhaps you have something here.
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Ally – you sparked comments on comments here… not usual for my blog! Of course as an introvert and a leader, I can’t provide any personal commentary. But I have a few friends who are introverts, still working (beyond a traditional retirement age) and they are terrified of leaving their careers for retirement. This article at least gave me more insight into them.
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I’m with you, I have a hard time understanding why folks won’t retire when they’re financially able to! I couldn’t wait to get to that point and now that I’m retired, I love it! Yes, there are some adjustments that need to be made and some de-programming to get off the ‘busy-ness’ hamster wheel. I love being able to create my own schedule (or not) and I’m getting more comfortable every day with not having a big goal or life purpose. These days my goals are being happy doing whatever I want and defeating the ‘should’ monster!!
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Sharon – Love the “defeating the should monster”. I’m trying to consciously replace the word should with could… as in instead of “I should do that”, “I could do that, or not.” It’s helped a bit. I’m thrilled that retirement has given me the time to slow down, to appreciate life more, to enjoy life more. I do not miss the hamster wheel at all!
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I am strongly in the 44%!!!!! I love not working!! I don’t feel guilty. I don’t agree that I need to volunteer to live in service to others. Simply being kind to others is “living in service”. I certainly do think about the connections problems that can come with retirement or even just aging as friends move to be closer to their children. With a hubby that is approaching 80, we have to consider when we can no longer maintain our home. So a senior community that offers planned activities could be very attractive as a place that provides connections. I like rolling with the opportunities that come as one lives life.
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We know a couple who just moved into a 55+ planned community for the very reason to have the planned activities and possible friend connections right there, easy to access. I do think I’d consider that option down the road as well. But I too am loving the no-work lifestyle!
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I love being retired, but that may be because I never worked in a job that I LOVED, or that I couldn’t wait to get up and go to each day. Some people are just wired to work and to get their sense of identity from what they do. I’m no longer one of those people. I love living on my own terms and my own timetable, being fluid with my days and not being tied to someone else’s agenda. Life is very sweet for me in retirement and I may not understand why others continue to work when they don’t need to, but I’m happy for them if it makes them happy – each to their own.
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Leanne, I think one of the biggest aha’s for me in this article was how I “looked down” on someone who continued to work when they didn’t need to financially. I never really considered that many need to keep working for emotional and mental needs. And those needs would really not be fulfilled in any other way. I’m still learning to truly accept “to each his own”!
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