My father tried to retire for years. Every time he tried to retire, I kept him involved in our business enterprises.
He finally got the best of me one night, I rolled on the subject and accepted his desire to retire.
He passed away within a year.
That’s my view of retirement. “Retire and die.”
Maybe that’s too strong a position (and I certainly understand that it might be). However, I sincerely have to say I have a tough time with the American concept of retirement.
It appears that the American concept of retirement is anything but logical.
Here’s the way it looks.
Take bright people who have assembled decades of experience doing what they do, regardless of the incredible level of expertise they have accumulated along the way, and then convince them it is in their best interest—in fact, a prize to be won—to take themselves out of production so they an enjoy the life they have spent so much time earning.
What’s that all about?
I don’t get it.
I enjoy what I’m doing. I enjoy and love operating a business.
So did my father.
I don’t want to retire, and I sincerely don’t understand why I would want someone who has amassed so much skill an experience over the years to sideline themselves voluntarily, especially under some false assumption that it’s a reward rather than what appears to be a death sentence.
In fact, what I see is exactly the opposite. I see friends of mine who have prematurely retired or who have boasted about retiring in their early years going back into the workforce.
Are they motivated because they’ve lost money in the stock market? Yes.
Are they motivated because they’re lost money in their business ventures? Yes.
Are they motivated because they need accessible health insurance? You bet!
But they are also motivated because they are simply bored.
They are motivated because retirement is not at all what it is cracked up to be. And they may well be motivated by seeing others of us, sharp as nails, making incredible mistakes they could easily have influenced against because they have the perspective – and experience – we don’t.
It is not a forgone conclusion that age means retirement. In fact, show me an artist who is “retired.” Show me a scientist who is “retired.” Show me a writer who is “retired.”
Indeed, most cultures don’t comprehend retirement. They simply contemplate a change in your role in society.
Now, that makes sense. Change your function. Go from doer to counselor. To advisor. To confidant. To judge.
But retirement doesn’t make sense.
I have observed these thoughts off and on for the past 20 years. And I’ve got well over a decade to go before I am even legally entitled to retire. However, I am honestly interested. Because I sincerely and passionately don’t get it.
But from what I can determine in this juncture in my life, my retirement notice will be my obituary…not one moment before.
Original writing date: February 2002