Retirement isn't for Everyone

 The decision when to retire is a personal one and can depend on a variety of factors such as financial readiness, health, personal goals, and lifestyle preferences. It's important to consider your financial situation, future plans, and overall well-being when determining the right time to retire. It's recommended to consult with a financial advisor or retirement planner to help you make an informed decision based on your individual circumstances. That said we are seeing more and more studies showing that if you love what you do, keep doing it!!!

There are many professions where you can work as long as you want. That is particularly true if you have your own business.  We've seen financial planners, lawyers, doctors and a variety of other professions continuing to work into their 80s.  When we've asked them why they continue to work they pretty much say the same thing, "Why would I stop doing a job that I enjoy, am still good at, and where I am getting personal and professional fulfillment." We love that thinking.

Using our brains is so important as we age. Work gives us the opportunity to problem solve, exercise critical thinking, and use our social skills.  Staying connected to others is huge.  For many work is their principal social network and if that eclipses off the screen it takes a long time to build a new one.  Being part of a group or groups outside of work is a lifeboat of sorts.  If you aren't involved outside of work, there is no time like the present to begin. 

Many people would like to keep working, but are confronted with obstacles that channel them into retirement. Perhaps it is a younger boss, an ageist company culture, high levels of stress, and more demanding customers or clients.  It is understandable to want to get out of those type of circumstances, but it doesn't mean work needs to stop.  Powering back and doing a more flexible schedule might be a solution if your employer is flexible.  If your skill set lends itself to consulting, you can market yourself. Your former employer might be one of your clients.  Taking a new job, working part-time, or starting a business are other options.  The important thing is getting fulfillment from what you do and using your gray matter. Everyone wants to look forward to getting up in the morning and doing something productive.