Why work in retirement?

Not a chance. I have been retired for 13 years, and found enough volunteer opportunities to keep me busy. Currently, I volunteer at a local hospice office repairing their medical devices.
I also volunteered on a tourist railroad and flew for Angel Flight West and Pilots n' Paws.
I am too busy to work.
 
I flunked retirement. The first time I retired was in 1990. Since then I've retired five or six more times...lost track actually. My "idle" gear keeps slipping from zero to 60 in nothing flat!

My friends and most of my family have either died or live more than 1000 miles away. So I work. It amounts to what passes for a social life. I like being around the lights and people, and it beats sitting around home waiting to die.

When not working, I play in the garden.
 
No, I hated working. Most of my jobs were unpleasant. For 15 years prior to retirement, I was self-employed and worked from home. It was tolerable, but I still couldn't wait to retire.

Recently I considered working part-time time at the library, but most of my earnings would be deducted from my pension.

Anyway, I like being free to find my own path, instead of following someone else's agenda, schedule, etc.
 
Georgiagranny said:
I flunked retirement. The first time I retired was in 1990. Since then I've retired five or six more times...lost track actually. My "idle" gear keeps slipping from zero to 60 in nothing flat!

My friends and most of my family have either died or live more than 1000 miles away. So I work. It amounts to what passes for a social life. I like being around the lights and people, and it beats sitting around home waiting to die.

When not working, I play in the garden.
Click to expand...
Well there you go. Retirement for me lasted two years, a phone call for help got me back into the cut and thrust of work. Something that I still enjoy at the age of 76.

Many times I have been asked why I am still working, it amuses me to say: I can give you well over fifty thousand reasons why. (the figure refers to my salary.)
 
I was blessed to retire early - age 55. I am now 62. I thought about getting a p/t job however, the thought leave quicker than it comes...lol. However, I do see why many retired people continue to work and why some don't. So far, I am not bored - doubt if I would ever be. Have a few things going on that keep me busy but I also enjoy my alone, quiet, meditation time...Priceless.
 
I wouldn't mind working if the work days were shorter (and started later), the weeks were shorter, if there would only be good managers, and holidays and vacations were frequent and long. Something like working 2 hours a day when it is rainy or snowing outside, at whatever time of day I feel like doing it.
 
Most people who have to work and live their lives by the jangle of the alarm clock bell, have every reason to want to retire, and good luck to them for that.

Step outside of the norm and actually admit that work is enjoyable, and good way to fill the day, and you might find that you're dubbed sad. But truth be told, work, that's work that you enjoy, is a great therapy and just about the best way to fill your day.

I must admit it was trite of me to boast that I am paid a handsome salary, but I must impress that I can quit anytime, my pension is more than sufficient to keep us in a comfortable lifestyle.
 
The question, why work in retirement for me has been spoken to in part. I truly enjoyed the work I did. Most of my life, self employed along with being in management positions when employed by others and I never worked 'by the clock", I just would work until I was done. I would still be doing it if I could. The main reason I would is to be able to afford to live in a nice place with all of the niceties of days gone by. Housing is expensive, right.
 
I was in a job for 35 years that, in some cases, wasn't right for my personality. I am a Type A Introvert. I was in a sales job. What made me successful was negotiating with accounts and managing a sales force because I was detached enough to look at things from an objective perspective.

What wore me down was the necessary socializing, cocktail parties, dinners, etc. There is a major event going on right now in Las Vegas with over 5,000 people in my industry. I see my colleagues' posts, and it just reminds me how much I hated the late nights and "sucking up" to people I really didn't care for.

I socked away as much as I could into my 401k, and I'm pretty confident I will have enough money to live comfortably but not extravagantly. Our house is paid for, and my 6 year-old car with 27k miles is paid for as well. It does seem that every month there are expenses I haven't budgeted for, but some are for travel and entertainment, and I won't give up on things to look forward to.

I've been approached a couple of times to get back into the industry full-time, but I will not give up the freedom to make my own rules. I love not having any type of schedule and being able to decide what I am going to do with my time. If a part-time contracting opportunity becomes available I may take it, but I'm very happy being retired. After over 2 years, I'm not the least bit bored.
 
For some senior folks due to their lack of adequate finances for the lifestyle they pursue, continued work for funds is necessary. Especially for those that are so poor they are just getting by with necessities. And is true at the other end of the Bell Curve for those that view an ideal retirement the way it it described by the wealthy and industries like financial planning and world travel they promote. For others with adequate funds, but for which retirement is boring or lacking enough social contact, working in the right place can also fill those voids. And some others no doubt pursue some important to them objective in work as do some scientists working on expanding knowledge in their fields.

Since I retired 5 1/2 years ago, have thought just a little about going back and doing some of my career work since I could readily find well paying work doing so. No way Jay. However even though I live in one of the most expensive urban areas in the nation, the amount of my monthly SS benefit has been enough while enjoying my usual frugal lifestyle, that I living as I always have, now actually have a bit more funds than 6 years ago so have not had to dig into my modest 6 figure savings and other assets. Personally I have more to do in our unique technology age that offers so so much potential and that will remain the case, than I will ever have time for in my limited years ahead. So far this summer have gone on 3 backpacking trips into alpine mountain areas, and not spent a penny once leaving trailheads haha. On the other hand my Epic season senior discounted ski pass to ski 3 Tahoe ski resorts next winter is in a few weeks going to charge me $425 and gas costs driving throughout California as I tend to do in my old dirty scratched 2007 Forester is no longer a trivial expense.

Maybe some well to do outdoor loving single gal down in Pacific Grove that is alone in the residence she owns would like to me me?
 

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