Retirement - Part 2

Yesterday I talked about why the concept of universal retirement is economically challenging. It is an unnecessary expense that restricts options earlier in life. Or burdens others unnecessarily.

Here are some objections that I have based on emotional and relational dynamics.

First, older people are more experienced and when they drop out of the work force or from viewing themselves as constructive members of society they don't provide that wisdom and experience to those around them as much. I have known a number of guys who have retired in my career who were walking encyclopedias of engineering knowledge. When they left they took that with them. If they continued working they could provide another 10 or 20 years as a valuable resource to those of us who are just starting.

Also, if you have someone who has 60 years of perspective that can be hugely valuable in recognizing trends and helping to avoid mistakes that a younger person would have never heard of. It helps increase organizational and cultural continuity. Knowing our past helps us know where we should go in the future.

The second objection I have to the concept is one of emotional health. The assumption that retirement is a right, or at least a natural end to someone's working career has several affects. It subtly undermines the cultural perception of the value of work. Work should not be something that one does in order to be able to do the things you actually want to do. Every job has bad parts, but ideally work should be an end in and of itself to some extent. This can't be the case all the time, but it should be something everyone strives for.

Everyone has a purpose and something constructive to offer society and those around them. They should spend their whole lives living that purpose out and contributing to the health and prosperity of their community. The idea that you can put in your 30 or 40 years and then kick back is a selfish. We should never stop contributing regardless of how.

And finally, retirement is also not healthy. We are built to do. Studies have shown that like most things our brains are a use it or lose it resource. Especially as humans get older our brains if not stretched will degrade. There is even evidence that actively using your brain reduces the risk of Alzheimer's.

 I think our society would be better served if "retirement" was saved for the truly old. Where it was what you did when you couldn't work anymore. Not just didn't have to. Increasing societies focus on "how can I fulfill my purpose" instead of "how can I save and plan for retirement" will make the world a better, more prosperous, and less stressful place.