if you're 60+, what do you do for work?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is OP - and I am still following this thread carefully!

I'm in comms/writing and editing/fundraising these days - I hope if I ever need to hang a shingle I'll at least be able to bring in some money. I'm on staff now but have been freelance in the past. Don't know why I am feeling so anxious about this right now - but I am, and am really appreciating hearing from folks about your experiences.

I was in a similar career field and retired early. I saw the writing (literally) on the wall/screen. With the advent of AI-generated content, there will be very few opportunities in the future IMO.

I also thought I might be able to do some freelancing once I retired but have found it's not realistic. Many freelance writing gigs offer a mere pittance for content, from sources which can be shady.

+1 There are several companies offering cloud-based services for writing Comms using large language model AIs. Those services can take a bunch of source material, then be told to write a press release, LinkedIn post, Twitter/X post, etc... at the push of a button.

[Anonymous]

It's likely you might get booted out on your 50s
Worries solved.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I hear you, OP. I’m 50 and in tech and I just don’t know how much future I have - I’m solid right now, but in 10 or 15 years? I I’m going to have to hustle hard to keep current since the technologies that I know so deeply right now will no longer be used by then. It’s scary.

My wife is 60 and is in biotech research and is just now hitting her stride and having a fantastic career. So at least one of us will be OK!

Same here (in tech). Nobody is getting raises anymore. Everything is outsource, outsource, outsource or bring in Visa holder if they can.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m 62 and in consulting. Oddly age has been an asset in my business, which is expertise/experience based. I’ve been doing this for a while though, and have been with my current company for almost 15 years. I plan to retire in the next 3-5 years.

I am in my mid-60s as a consultant. My age and experience has been an asset. I don't want to be the CEO or COO any longer, which I make clear, and am consulting for younger executive teams of midsized companies. I make sure I stay current not only in my area of expertise, but on current events. I work out and am fit. I don't try to dress like I'm decades younger, but I dress well.

I "retired" after a liquidity event, but my social group and wife were/are still active in their careers, my kids are all busy in their own careers and kids, though we see them regularly, and I enjoy working. So when someone asked if I would help them out with something, my new chapter began and has grown. I keep saying just one more year, but I'm enjoying myself.

If you have some expertise in an area and a network that can either provide you with introductions or need help, it is a great later in life opportunity for those who aren't ready to retire.

Executives at 60 is a totally different thing than regular workers

[Anonymous]

My husband retired at 61 and his company was very disappointed when he left. He was pegged as the next CEO but he didn’t want to wait 2 years and then have to commit for a few years. He liked his job but your energy level at 61 is different than 41.

[Anonymous]

61, female, in IT. I manage a very specialized small group and do troubleshooting myself. I like my work and the schedule. I work from home, usually about 4 hours/day, unless there is a bad incident.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:61, female, in IT. I manage a very specialized small group and do troubleshooting myself. I like my work and the schedule. I work from home, usually about 4 hours/day, unless there is a bad incident.

You work at a tech company??

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My husband retired at 61 and his company was very disappointed when he left. He was pegged as the next CEO but he didn’t want to wait 2 years and then have to commit for a few years. He liked his job but your energy level at 61 is different than 41.

Yeah it’s leadership or Walmart greeter, OP. Plan to retire at 60 if you aren’t already on the path.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:61, female, in IT. I manage a very specialized small group and do troubleshooting myself. I like my work and the schedule. I work from home, usually about 4 hours/day, unless there is a bad incident.

You work at a tech company??

Yes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:61, female, in IT. I manage a very specialized small group and do troubleshooting myself. I like my work and the schedule. I work from home, usually about 4 hours/day, unless there is a bad incident.

You work at a tech company??

Yes.

Wow would love to here your story, how did you end up in BigTech?

[Anonymous]

I'm in my late 50s, spouse in late 60s, both planning on working until health forces us to retire. We love our jobs and can't imagine quitting. We both like staying home, doing a little travel, visiting our adult children, but mostly, we love working. I'm sorry for all of you who hate your jobs and look forward to quitting. I'm looking forward to continuing to work!

[Anonymous]

^^both work for nonprofits, don't make much $$, but neither of us is bothered by this.

[Anonymous]

The boyfriend is 66. He delivers auto parts. His toughest job is trying to keep his hours to no more than 35.

He managed the battery store until he was 65 and could get on Medicare. He worked 65 - 70 hours a week then.

He is enjoying the auto parts delivery job and plans on working until he is 70 to take the larger social security amount.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:61, female, in IT. I manage a very specialized small group and do troubleshooting myself. I like my work and the schedule. I work from home, usually about 4 hours/day, unless there is a bad incident.

You work at a tech company??

Yes.

Wow would love to here your story, how did you end up in BigTech?

I am in tech but not big tech (if by it you mean google, amazon,... ). After I got my PHD, there was no funding in my field, I could not even get a post doc position. So I got a job in tech industry doing simulation modeling. Some of my collogues ended up the same way, working in tech in silicone valley. There were several failed start ups among them. One went to Wall street to be a quant.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:61, female, in IT. I manage a very specialized small group and do troubleshooting myself. I like my work and the schedule. I work from home, usually about 4 hours/day, unless there is a bad incident.

You work at a tech company??

Yes.

Wow would love to here your story, how did you end up in BigTech?

I am in tech but not big tech (if by it you mean google, amazon,... ). After I got my PHD, there was no funding in my field, I could not even get a post doc position. So I got a job in tech industry doing simulation modeling. Some of my collogues ended up the same way, working in tech in silicone valley. There were several failed start ups among them. One went to Wall street to be a quant.

So like Cisco or something, more legacy tech?

How well do they pay, I assume much better than a Fed $180k!