I admit that I consider myself part of the “post-retirement” generation. Most of my peers and friends, as well as me—are quite convinced that we are never going to see a cent of the Social Security we have been paying all these years. In fact, I imagine that most of it will go to pay for the burgeoning baby boomers golden years and meanwhile, with the economy the way it is and my ever-depleting supposed retirement account, it looks pretty likely that I will be working to the end. Is this necessarily a bad thing, however? After all, with a home-based business and being able to support oneself with one’s work, why even think about retirement?
There are a lot of great things about imagining to continue working into the senior years—continued mental sharpness, financial independence, the social stimulation and sense of purpose—are just a few. When I look back over my working years, I see that some of my best and most lasting friends, as well as a romantic interest or two, have all come through my jobs and work. Work has also helped me to connect to the community and the world, given me the opportunity to travel, and my home business has made it possible for me to raise my kids as a single mom and have enough money to live a fairly comfortable lifestyle. Sure, I work big chunks of the time, but what would I do if I didn’t? I cannot actually imagine who I would be or what I would do with my time and energy if I didn’t have work to focus on and a business to grow!
I understand that retirement is supposed to be for those who have worked hard for decades and need a time to rest and reflect. The thing is, it is not like I am working in a mill or plowing a field, my work may be mentally taxing (which is a good thing) but it is not physically exhausting on most days. In fact, I am probably healthier because I am able to have a flexible schedule, work from home part of the time, and take care of myself—AND focus on family and enjoy family life.
So, why should I even think about retirement? Is there any reason that I cannot just continue on—working, focusing on building a business, and contributing to the world around me?
Also: Tapping into Your Retirement Savings
An Overview of Retirement Planning