THE HISTORY OF RETIREMENT

The notion of retirement really didn’t have a big impact on America until after World War II. At that point, people would give 30 to 40 years of their lives to one company, who in return, would pay workers good salaries and generous pensions once they stopped working. In that way, companies were very paternalistic toward their employees. The employees were also very dedicated to their employers. Working until you were 65, quitting, and then enjoying your pension income was the common thing to do. People looked forward to the time when the company that they had worked so hard for would begin to take care of them.

But, during the later stages of the twentieth century, that notion became radicalized. No longer were these companies taking care of the workers who had dedicated their lives to them. More people were finding that they no longer wanted to be chained to their desks. Although they were good at their jobs, they weren’t being fulfilled, plus, they had the financial security to know that they didn’t need their jobs anymore. Working until age 65 became the dinosaur of retirement planning.

For those who still want to retire completely, that option still exists. It is also a very popular choice for many people, especially those who are nearing retirement. For others, though, the idea of retirement, of ceasing to work, isn’t a very ideal option at all. To stop working, for many, meant the onset of boredom, and later, depression. This is why many people find that they are busier in retirement than they ever were during their actual working lives! I have many clients come in to see me who say that between spending time with their children and grandchildren, visiting with friends, volunteering, and other activities, they have found that they have no time to themselves! But, I’ve not heard one complaint about that because they are doing what they love to do, rather than working.

Another popular life change revolves around changing careers. I have many clients who retire from a large corporation, only to become independent contractors for those same companies making more money than they did as employees. The advent of the independent contractor really came to center stage during the 1990s. All the independent contractors I have met have told me that they wouldn’t change their status to employee for anything. This way, things get done on their own timetables. And isn’t that what people ultimately want: to control their own destiny?

Still others are moving from their high-paying corporate jobs, to lower-paying, more fulfilling jobs during their 50s. These people then find that they can continue working at their less-stressful jobs well into their 70s. All of this results from not having to rely on their larger paycheck. While this may not seem like something you can feasibly afford to do, it may be something to aspire to. By deciding on what your goals are, you will be able to realize them much easier than if you don’t.