Work until you die versus welfare at old age...

[Autumnleaf]

In the Latino culture some older people say, "I will work until I die." While their children look forward to retirement. Which do you think is better?

 

[Exhausted]

I think other people should work until they die. Personally, I plan to retire.

 

[Bombila]

I prefer to think that one usually works for someone else before retiring. Then you work for yourself, having the freedom and time to do any little or big inspired project you want. Lots of people do plan to work after retirement, on things they've wanted for a long time, like a big beautiful garden, or handcrafting furniture, or opening a little home business, or learning a new skill.

 

[quatona]

In the Latino culture some older people say, "I will work until I die." While their children look forward to retirement. Which do you think is better?

Don´t know about this "Latino culture".
Personally, I will have to work until I die, and that´s fine with me and the consequence of how I handle things. Different strokes for different folks.
I suspect that if I wouldn´t have the privilege of having the fulfilling and inspiring job I have (and instead, e.g., would spend a third off my life exploitet on the assembly line) I would see things differently.

The false dichotomy "working until you die" vs. "living on welfare" is noted and rejected, btw.

 

[cantata]

My parents have worked hard to save up pensions by themselves. It's not all about living off welfare (although I don't think there's anything particularly wrong with that either).

And my mum intends to teach adult literacy when she retires.

 

[Autumnleaf]

I think living off of welfare is a legitimate title because healthcare for most older people is welfare. Without it people will go bankrupt and then they will live off of welfare. Its just one of those nasty things old people have to open their eyes to. Unless we get socialized medicine in the US soon.

 

[quatona]

I think living off of welfare is a legitimate title because healthcare for most older people is welfare.

Whilst those who work until they die can pay all medical treatments themselves?

 

[lawtonfogle]

I plan to work until I die, kinda want to. I'm aiming into the research and higher education field, so for the latter part of my life I may very well be a professor.

 

[Alexandrah]

My mother works in elder care and hospice and seeing the struggles her clients face knocked some sense into me.

Because I started working so early I can retire at 55, with 75% of my highest earned income as well as free healthcare until I die. I also have a supplemental retirement account that I put money into from every paycheck. Fed/Military jobs pay a fraction of what a private industry job will pay but no one offers the kind of benefits/retirement plans that they do.

 

[Bombila]

Seniors with severe health problems needing nursing home or hospice care certainly may experience struggles and financial difficulty. But I think it is important to note that the majority of seniors are able to, and do, live in their own homes until they die. We too often focus on the illnesses and helplessness of old age, ignoring the large population of elderly people who are able and independent. We don't need to fear aging as much as we do.

 

[Alexandrah]

I totally agree with you! I know a few people into their mid-80's that are still doing fantastically well and completley independant. I've had health problems for my entire life so I am expecting that they'll only get worse as I age. I have never met anyone that regretted saving and planning their retirement early, so I'm following suit.

 

[wanderingone]

By work until you die you mean keep earning a wage. Many people continue to work after retirement - contributing to society in numerous way. "Work" doesn't just mean wage slave.

Should the current standards for retirement be reviewed in terms of when someone is eligible to claim government benefits? OF COURSE- the reality of government programs is that they were meant to keep older people fed and sheltered for the last couple years of their lives... not the last couple decades.