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

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I retired at 63.

I worked with colleagues of all ages. My close team of 10 were ages 35-64. We got along but I did feel that the younger people wanted our jobs (if I left it opened up a promotion, which one of them did get). I also had noted a few people who stayed too long (67 and 69 years old) who got bitter/assholish and daffy/absent-minded, respectively, along with a couple of other people who died a month or two after retirement. I didn't want to become these people.

I was happy with my job but started to feel like I was treading water at age 59. When I realized I didn't enjoy doing my favorite parts of the job and felt stressed out, I decided to go. I planned it for a year, not telling anyone. I gave my notice three months in advance. Having that plan made the last year much easier and gave me a third wind.

My house was paid off a year before I left, I had enough in retirement and decided it was okay to go. Thank goodness for that. I am happy with the decision. I thought I would work longer, but I didn't.

Oftentimes younger employees want their bosses' jobs, but for the wrong reasons. They look at such higher-level jobs as a "reward" for their hard work. Furthermore, many younger employees use the phrase "rest and vest" to describe older employees collecting lucrative stock options and RSUs who they perceive as not working as hard as them. Yet what such younger employees fail to see is the 20+ years of hard work it took to get there - the same work they're putting in now. Gen X felt this way about Baby Boomers who lived it up in the 1980s and wouldn't get out of the way in the early-2000s. This led to a compression and in some cases promotions skipped Gen X and were given directly to Gen Y, causing even more resentment.

While there is no magic age for retirement, it does seem like 60 years old is a common age for folks to hang it up. For those who want to keep working, companies need to determine whether they're still providing value. If not, then it's time to let them go (see above bolded).

I am a Boomer and I am working. I plan on retiring in 2029 or 2030.

I have a job I like. A nice big office. It is pretty much 9-5ish. I can do remote one day a week, dress down and get 4-5 weeks vacation.

It is a good chance Gen Z gets my job.

If it actually was the 1980s I would be working 50-55 hours a week in a suit in person in an office full of smoke being pressured to go out drinking with the clients 2-3 nights a week. No way I last past 55.

Work life balance extended boomer shelf life

It’s great that you’re able to keep working into your 70s. I hope I can do the same. But the poster above and then you have pointed out that I probably can’t. I’m already 55 and will be wearing a suit, putting in more than 50 hours in person and also going out in the evening for probably 3-4 of the days this week, here in the 2020s. We can’t all sit back and rest in our jobs. My new-ish boss is *still* a boomer. When he retires, I’m guessing they’ll skip all of us Gen-X people and go straight to a generation below. We aren’t earning enough to retire yet so will have to suffer the indignity of working for someone with less experience, unless they push us out.

What industry?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DH is 65. He's a gov lawyer in an SES position. He absolutely loves it and has for many years and doesn't have plans to retire even though he's eligible.

I am 53 and I write and work with med students (and used to practice law). I imagine I'll be doing something else in my 60s, but I change up careers every decade or so--it is just who I am.

I’m curious about your role. What are you/the med students writing? I have an English degree but have worked in health care for nearly 2 decades and I’m looking to expand my skill set and work.

[Anonymous]

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'm in communications, too, and I've freelanced in the past. It's tough. So many people unwilling to pay anywhere near a fair wage. If you haven't already, I would recommend carving out a specialty in medical or legal writing. Or -- I used to make a lot of money editing annual reports. Maybe tap into your network of friends and see if their companies have comms needs like that.

[Anonymous]

I'm not 60 yet (50) but I interviewed at a non profit last Fall at an outdoors non profit (think Nature Conservancy). The idea is to downshift into something way less stressful and do it at something I enjoy. Not a single person in the leadership was younger than I was- many were about 60 and a few were possibly 70. Now, this might be a retirement gig for them but that's what I hope to be doing.

I don't ever see me fully retired/unemployed.
I need something to get be out of the house every morning.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I retired at 63.

I worked with colleagues of all ages. My close team of 10 were ages 35-64. We got along but I did feel that the younger people wanted our jobs (if I left it opened up a promotion, which one of them did get). I also had noted a few people who stayed too long (67 and 69 years old) who got bitter/assholish and daffy/absent-minded, respectively, along with a couple of other people who died a month or two after retirement. I didn't want to become these people.

I was happy with my job but started to feel like I was treading water at age 59. When I realized I didn't enjoy doing my favorite parts of the job and felt stressed out, I decided to go. I planned it for a year, not telling anyone. I gave my notice three months in advance. Having that plan made the last year much easier and gave me a third wind.

My house was paid off a year before I left, I had enough in retirement and decided it was okay to go. Thank goodness for that. I am happy with the decision. I thought I would work longer, but I didn't.

Oftentimes younger employees want their bosses' jobs, but for the wrong reasons. They look at such higher-level jobs as a "reward" for their hard work. Furthermore, many younger employees use the phrase "rest and vest" to describe older employees collecting lucrative stock options and RSUs who they perceive as not working as hard as them. Yet what such younger employees fail to see is the 20+ years of hard work it took to get there - the same work they're putting in now. Gen X felt this way about Baby Boomers who lived it up in the 1980s and wouldn't get out of the way in the early-2000s. This led to a compression and in some cases promotions skipped Gen X and were given directly to Gen Y, causing even more resentment.

While there is no magic age for retirement, it does seem like 60 years old is a common age for folks to hang it up. For those who want to keep working, companies need to determine whether they're still providing value. If not, then it's time to let them go (see above bolded).

I am a Boomer and I am working. I plan on retiring in 2029 or 2030.

I have a job I like. A nice big office. It is pretty much 9-5ish. I can do remote one day a week, dress down and get 4-5 weeks vacation.

It is a good chance Gen Z gets my job.

If it actually was the 1980s I would be working 50-55 hours a week in a suit in person in an office full of smoke being pressured to go out drinking with the clients 2-3 nights a week. No way I last past 55.

Work life balance extended boomer shelf life

It’s great that you’re able to keep working into your 70s. I hope I can do the same. But the poster above and then you have pointed out that I probably can’t. I’m already 55 and will be wearing a suit, putting in more than 50 hours in person and also going out in the evening for probably 3-4 of the days this week, here in the 2020s. We can’t all sit back and rest in our jobs. My new-ish boss is *still* a boomer. When he retires, I’m guessing they’ll skip all of us Gen-X people and go straight to a generation below. We aren’t earning enough to retire yet so will have to suffer the indignity of working for someone with less experience, unless they push us out.

What industry?

It is true that the boomers are the first generation to stay in their jobs into their late 60s and 70s, then skipping over the Gen Xers. I am in a non-profit field. I am 54, have been with my org for 20 years, and basically run it for the figurehead director, who is a boomer in her mid-70s and the first woman to run the organization. She announced a "succession plan" for her replacement, which is a white, 40-year-old man. Now I'm looking at working for a man, with little experience, who likes to tell people that I am his "driver" because he's European and never got a license, because once, when we were traveling, I had to drive us around. The current director is a selfish, internal misogynist and now I have no clue what to do next. Retiring is not an option as my job provides health insurance for me, my husband, and our college kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yea, both my spouse and I work I tech. I'm 53; spouse is 59. We are planning to retire in 2 years. Ageism is definitely real.

PSA to younger people: We never thought ageism would hit us, either.

I’m in tech and there are not many people in their 60s at my company. I tell myself that the lack of people in their 60s is due to people retiring early. My boss is late 50s (58) and plans to work for a little longer, I think. Lots of people in their 50s. My company skews older for tech. The median age is 43/44. Women seem pretty ageless there. Not sure about Botox or other cosmetic procedures but it would seem people dye their hair and wear fashionable “quiet luxury” type clothing. I hope to work in the area I’m in (Investor Relations and Corporate Governance) in tech or finance or similar until 65.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yea, both my spouse and I work I tech. I'm 53; spouse is 59. We are planning to retire in 2 years. Ageism is definitely real.

PSA to younger people: We never thought ageism would hit us, either.

I’m in tech and there are not many people in their 60s at my company. I tell myself that the lack of people in their 60s is due to people retiring early. My boss is late 50s (58) and plans to work for a little longer, I think. Lots of people in their 50s. My company skews older for tech. The median age is 43/44. Women seem pretty ageless there. Not sure about Botox or other cosmetic procedures but it would seem people dye their hair and wear fashionable “quiet luxury” type clothing. I hope to work in the area I’m in (Investor Relations and Corporate Governance) in tech or finance or similar until 65.

I mean, have you all made $500k+ and monster stock grants so retiring at 55 is the norm?

For us, they had a bunch of quiet layoffs — years of excellent reviews then PIP out of nowhere, or the option to just resign…

[Anonymous]

75, retired, but still work if my company needs a temp I will help them out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I retired at 63.

I worked with colleagues of all ages. My close team of 10 were ages 35-64. We got along but I did feel that the younger people wanted our jobs (if I left it opened up a promotion, which one of them did get). I also had noted a few people who stayed too long (67 and 69 years old) who got bitter/assholish and daffy/absent-minded, respectively, along with a couple of other people who died a month or two after retirement. I didn't want to become these people.

I was happy with my job but started to feel like I was treading water at age 59. When I realized I didn't enjoy doing my favorite parts of the job and felt stressed out, I decided to go. I planned it for a year, not telling anyone. I gave my notice three months in advance. Having that plan made the last year much easier and gave me a third wind.

My house was paid off a year before I left, I had enough in retirement and decided it was okay to go. Thank goodness for that. I am happy with the decision. I thought I would work longer, but I didn't.

Oftentimes younger employees want their bosses' jobs, but for the wrong reasons. They look at such higher-level jobs as a "reward" for their hard work. Furthermore, many younger employees use the phrase "rest and vest" to describe older employees collecting lucrative stock options and RSUs who they perceive as not working as hard as them. Yet what such younger employees fail to see is the 20+ years of hard work it took to get there - the same work they're putting in now. Gen X felt this way about Baby Boomers who lived it up in the 1980s and wouldn't get out of the way in the early-2000s. This led to a compression and in some cases promotions skipped Gen X and were given directly to Gen Y, causing even more resentment.

While there is no magic age for retirement, it does seem like 60 years old is a common age for folks to hang it up. For those who want to keep working, companies need to determine whether they're still providing value. If not, then it's time to let them go (see above bolded).

I am a Boomer and I am working. I plan on retiring in 2029 or 2030.

I have a job I like. A nice big office. It is pretty much 9-5ish. I can do remote one day a week, dress down and get 4-5 weeks vacation.

It is a good chance Gen Z gets my job.

If it actually was the 1980s I would be working 50-55 hours a week in a suit in person in an office full of smoke being pressured to go out drinking with the clients 2-3 nights a week. No way I last past 55.

Work life balance extended boomer shelf life

It’s great that you’re able to keep working into your 70s. I hope I can do the same. But the poster above and then you have pointed out that I probably can’t. I’m already 55 and will be wearing a suit, putting in more than 50 hours in person and also going out in the evening for probably 3-4 of the days this week, here in the 2020s. We can’t all sit back and rest in our jobs. My new-ish boss is *still* a boomer. When he retires, I’m guessing they’ll skip all of us Gen-X people and go straight to a generation below. We aren’t earning enough to retire yet so will have to suffer the indignity of working for someone with less experience, unless they push us out.

What industry?

It is true that the boomers are the first generation to stay in their jobs into their late 60s and 70s, then skipping over the Gen Xers. I am in a non-profit field. I am 54, have been with my org for 20 years, and basically run it for the figurehead director, who is a boomer in her mid-70s and the first woman to run the organization. She announced a "succession plan" for her replacement, which is a white, 40-year-old man. Now I'm looking at working for a man, with little experience, who likes to tell people that I am his "driver" because he's European and never got a license, because once, when we were traveling, I had to drive us around. The current director is a selfish, internal misogynist and now I have no clue what to do next. Retiring is not an option as my job provides health insurance for me, my husband, and our college kids.

Here's what you do- you get up each day happy to have a job that keeps you and your family healthy, fed, and housed. And you pray for all those that have not one tenth what you have.

Good God. If your biggest problem in life is your ego, count yourself lucky as hell. My best friend at work just put his 58 year old spouse in Hospice today.

[Anonymous]

More healthy knowledge workers will continue climbing the ladder. Contiguous with PTO, but not too over-the-top increases of accruals, give them (all of them) the option to take a 12-week sabbatical every 2 years.

[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'm in communications, too, and I've freelanced in the past. It's tough. So many people unwilling to pay anywhere near a fair wage. If you haven't already, I would recommend carving out a specialty in medical or legal writing. Or -- I used to make a lot of money editing annual reports. Maybe tap into your network of friends and see if their companies have comms needs like that.

This is my field too -- very happy in my role and had imagined doing it till mid-60s but now feel like AI is nipping at my heels. Financially I definitely can't afford to retire young so hoping I can come up with a new path or manage to stay employed as long as I need to.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My husband is 60 and works for a biotech start-up. He brings the necessary experience and troubleshooting expertise.

Sure, many startups have a token grey beard, usually as a spoiler or babysitter. Which sounds exactly like what he is doing.
But that’s like one role per company, not viable for most 60s staff, and usually goes to an older taller white male who exudes “gravitas and experience” regardless of actual ability.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:More healthy knowledge workers will continue climbing the ladder. Contiguous with PTO, but not too over-the-top increases of accruals, give them (all of them) the option to take a 12-week sabbatical every 2 years.

That latter is a pyramid. Most knowledge workers can’t all climb it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I retired at 63.

I worked with colleagues of all ages. My close team of 10 were ages 35-64. We got along but I did feel that the younger people wanted our jobs (if I left it opened up a promotion, which one of them did get). I also had noted a few people who stayed too long (67 and 69 years old) who got bitter/assholish and daffy/absent-minded, respectively, along with a couple of other people who died a month or two after retirement. I didn't want to become these people.

I was happy with my job but started to feel like I was treading water at age 59. When I realized I didn't enjoy doing my favorite parts of the job and felt stressed out, I decided to go. I planned it for a year, not telling anyone. I gave my notice three months in advance. Having that plan made the last year much easier and gave me a third wind.

My house was paid off a year before I left, I had enough in retirement and decided it was okay to go. Thank goodness for that. I am happy with the decision. I thought I would work longer, but I didn't.

Oftentimes younger employees want their bosses' jobs, but for the wrong reasons. They look at such higher-level jobs as a "reward" for their hard work. Furthermore, many younger employees use the phrase "rest and vest" to describe older employees collecting lucrative stock options and RSUs who they perceive as not working as hard as them. Yet what such younger employees fail to see is the 20+ years of hard work it took to get there - the same work they're putting in now. Gen X felt this way about Baby Boomers who lived it up in the 1980s and wouldn't get out of the way in the early-2000s. This led to a compression and in some cases promotions skipped Gen X and were given directly to Gen Y, causing even more resentment.

While there is no magic age for retirement, it does seem like 60 years old is a common age for folks to hang it up. For those who want to keep working, companies need to determine whether they're still providing value. If not, then it's time to let them go (see above bolded).

I am a Boomer and I am working. I plan on retiring in 2029 or 2030.

I have a job I like. A nice big office. It is pretty much 9-5ish. I can do remote one day a week, dress down and get 4-5 weeks vacation.

It is a good chance Gen Z gets my job.

If it actually was the 1980s I would be working 50-55 hours a week in a suit in person in an office full of smoke being pressured to go out drinking with the clients 2-3 nights a week. No way I last past 55.

Work life balance extended boomer shelf life

It’s great that you’re able to keep working into your 70s. I hope I can do the same. But the poster above and then you have pointed out that I probably can’t. I’m already 55 and will be wearing a suit, putting in more than 50 hours in person and also going out in the evening for probably 3-4 of the days this week, here in the 2020s. We can’t all sit back and rest in our jobs. My new-ish boss is *still* a boomer. When he retires, I’m guessing they’ll skip all of us Gen-X people and go straight to a generation below. We aren’t earning enough to retire yet so will have to suffer the indignity of working for someone with less experience, unless they push us out.

Problem is young people are lazy and want to retire young.

In last year I had a 52 year old kid burn out quickly. She was my second in command and only here a few months. She actually had two levels between me and her. I was like 2-3 years I can promote you another 2-3 years next promotion. I am 61 plan on retiring around 2029 or latest 2030 and you are lined up for my job. Then you got a good 6-7 years of high pay till you retire at 67. She was like I am burnt out I be happy to retire now.

Number 3 was 47 and I got same story, he wants to retire by 53.

Now I am replacing them with 24-34 year olds.

Boomers can’t retire at 67 and pass a job to Gen X if Gen X wants to retire by 55.

Now millennials are born between 1981 and 1996. Elder millennials when I retire will be be almost 50.

Gen Z and younger millennials will get the jobs from Boomers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I retired at 63.

I worked with colleagues of all ages. My close team of 10 were ages 35-64. We got along but I did feel that the younger people wanted our jobs (if I left it opened up a promotion, which one of them did get). I also had noted a few people who stayed too long (67 and 69 years old) who got bitter/assholish and daffy/absent-minded, respectively, along with a couple of other people who died a month or two after retirement. I didn't want to become these people.

I was happy with my job but started to feel like I was treading water at age 59. When I realized I didn't enjoy doing my favorite parts of the job and felt stressed out, I decided to go. I planned it for a year, not telling anyone. I gave my notice three months in advance. Having that plan made the last year much easier and gave me a third wind.

My house was paid off a year before I left, I had enough in retirement and decided it was okay to go. Thank goodness for that. I am happy with the decision. I thought I would work longer, but I didn't.

Oftentimes younger employees want their bosses' jobs, but for the wrong reasons. They look at such higher-level jobs as a "reward" for their hard work. Furthermore, many younger employees use the phrase "rest and vest" to describe older employees collecting lucrative stock options and RSUs who they perceive as not working as hard as them. Yet what such younger employees fail to see is the 20+ years of hard work it took to get there - the same work they're putting in now. Gen X felt this way about Baby Boomers who lived it up in the 1980s and wouldn't get out of the way in the early-2000s. This led to a compression and in some cases promotions skipped Gen X and were given directly to Gen Y, causing even more resentment.

While there is no magic age for retirement, it does seem like 60 years old is a common age for folks to hang it up. For those who want to keep working, companies need to determine whether they're still providing value. If not, then it's time to let them go (see above bolded).

I am a Boomer and I am working. I plan on retiring in 2029 or 2030.

I have a job I like. A nice big office. It is pretty much 9-5ish. I can do remote one day a week, dress down and get 4-5 weeks vacation.

It is a good chance Gen Z gets my job.

If it actually was the 1980s I would be working 50-55 hours a week in a suit in person in an office full of smoke being pressured to go out drinking with the clients 2-3 nights a week. No way I last past 55.

Work life balance extended boomer shelf life

It’s great that you’re able to keep working into your 70s. I hope I can do the same. But the poster above and then you have pointed out that I probably can’t. I’m already 55 and will be wearing a suit, putting in more than 50 hours in person and also going out in the evening for probably 3-4 of the days this week, here in the 2020s. We can’t all sit back and rest in our jobs. My new-ish boss is *still* a boomer. When he retires, I’m guessing they’ll skip all of us Gen-X people and go straight to a generation below. We aren’t earning enough to retire yet so will have to suffer the indignity of working for someone with less experience, unless they push us out.

Problem is young people are lazy and want to retire young.

In last year I had a 52 year old kid burn out quickly. She was my second in command and only here a few months. She actually had two levels between me and her. I was like 2-3 years I can promote you another 2-3 years next promotion. I am 61 plan on retiring around 2029 or latest 2030 and you are lined up for my job. Then you got a good 6-7 years of high pay till you retire at 67. She was like I am burnt out I be happy to retire now.

Number 3 was 47 and I got same story, he wants to retire by 53.

Now I am replacing them with 24-34 year olds.

Boomers can’t retire at 67 and pass a job to Gen X if Gen X wants to retire by 55.

Now millennials are born between 1981 and 1996. Elder millennials when I retire will be be almost 50.

Gen Z and younger millennials will get the jobs from Boomers.

J1 J2 J3 poster has entered the chat…