Some years ago when my husband decided to retire I reflected on my own status. I too was at retirement age but had not even considered not continuing what I was doing. And when I thought about why it was all because it gave me purpose, a reason to begin the day, another connection with someone who was interested in what I was offering, and a desire to learn more.

According to Nathan LeBrasseur, professor of physical medicine and rehabilitation at the Mayo Clinic, “That theme of meaning and purpose keeps popping up as a major driver of a healthy retirement.” Research shows that people with a sense of purpose feel younger in retirement. Continuing to work in some capacity is a great way to achieve that.

Did you know that by the year 2050 it is expected that 3.7million people will live for 100 years? That leaves a lot of years filled with possibilities and discoveries. Pursuing the passions of your earlier years or even finding new ones can help you learn about your own purpose in life. I was always interested in health and nutrition and found a business that was all about that. I was particularly excited when I realized I could go online with it. The whole avenue of social spaces such as FaceBook, Instagram, and TikTok as well as Pinterest opened up a whole new world for me. Just the process of learning new things (psychologists call it “novelty processing”) may help slow cognitive decline, a definite plus as we age.

Having that extra income coming in can also make a real difference for some in their retirement years. My husband and I were relying on social security benefits alone and found that It was not enough to keep up with our standard of living. Having that extra job has provided a cushion for us. A 2020 paper from the Boston College Center for Retirement Research found that for people 62 years and older, even jobs that don’t offer health and retirement benefits can substantially improve retirement security.

According to the Harvard Study of Adult Development having good quality relationships is important for the well-being of retirement. My own experience with this has been being part of a community of like-minded people has been very beneficial and rewarding. I love being able to reach out for support and interactions within this community.

These are just a few reasons why I believe work is important even after retirement. If you are looking for a fulfilling and rewarding experience in this I recommend the path I have chosen. Contact me and I will be happy to share with you what I do.

Facebook Comments