What is Retirement Anyway?

Michael Brickey, Ph.D.

When Social Security started, most Americans did not live long enough to collect it. The dream was to have a few good years for travel and recreational pursuits. Now American life expectancy is 77 and a lot has changed.

I was at a conference on nursing home services a few years ago and the speakers talked about “empowering the patients.” (This is an oxymoron as calling them patients is putting them in a subservient, be taken care of position.) During the break a nurse told me, “They don’t get it. When I ask my patients to exercise or do something for themselves, they say, ‘I worked hard all my life and I want to relax and be taken care of.’”

The Heldrich Center surveyed workers about retirement. It wasn’t surprising that most Americans indicated they would like to retire at age 65–or younger. What was surprising, however, was that only 10% of the 1,000 workers surveyed said they just wanted to pursue leisure and recreation. The other 90% said they wanted to start a new career, start their own business, go to school, work full-time, work part-time, or do volunteer work. Thus they wanted to continue contributing after “retirement age.”

A 1999 AARP survey found that 61% of retirees and 70% of non-retirees said retirement is “a time to begin a new chapter by being active and involved, starting new activities and setting new goals.” Only 32% of retirees and 23% on non retirees said retirement is “a time to take it easy . . . [and] enjoy leisure activities.” A 1998 AARP survey found that 80% of Baby Boomers planned to work after retirement. Congress’ repeal of the Social Security earnings penalty in March, 2000 now encourages workers over 65 to continue working. (The earnings test penalized employment by reducing Social Security benefits by 33% for retirees 65-69 after an earned income floor of $15,500 a year. After age 70 there was no disincentive.)

Baby Boomers in particular hate getting older. They are flocking to gyms, spas, cosmetics, plastic surgeons, health food stores, and of course the latest diet. While Peter Pan said “I won’t grow up,” Boomers say they won’t grow old. Peruse a magazine rack or bookstore and it is apparent that most are still looking for answers in the wrong places–fad diets, magic pills, and exercises focused on appearances (e.g., killer abs and buns of steel). There are signs, however, that they are starting to look inward, pursing coaching, spiritual paths, and more fulfilling lifestyles.

AARP changed its name. It now no longer stands for American Association of Retired Persons but is just AARP. Why? Because when AARP tried to recruit Baby Boomers, the Boomers were turned off by the “R word.” They associated retired with being old and they hate the idea of getting old. AARP also created a separate magazine for Baby Boomers. Members born before 1945 receive My Generation while older members continue to receive Modern Maturity. (My Generation, however, did not catch on and is no more.)

So what is retirement anyway? The line between working and retirement is blurring. Some people who make a lot of money retire only to start a new business within a few years. Self-employment and home offices are becoming increasingly common. Part-time work is more common as is people taking time off to go back to school, take a sabbatical, help with family members, or travel.

There is an increased awareness that work is often important to giving us a sense of identity, connection, and purpose. Ideally, work should be something that we love to do. As Chicago Bears football coach George Halas said when he was coaching in his 80s, “It’s only work if there’s someplace else you’d rather be.”




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Dr. Michael Brickey is President of the Ageless Lifestyles Institute and author of Defy Aging. His new book, 52 baby steps to Grow Young, gives two-page-a-week practical steps for developing a youthful mindset at every age. Further information is at www.DrBrickey.com.