Older Americans Working Longer: How Awful! What a Disgrace!
By Barbara Morris, R. Ph.
Retirement was not created by God. I am sure of that because I have reviewed the Ten Commandments and no where can I find “Thou shall retire at age 65 or sooner.”
Social Security, which is the sole source of income for many retirees, will be bankrupt in a couple of years. This means that if you are now working and choose to retire you do so at great peril to your standard of living.
The economy is a mess but older workers – those lucky enough to still have a job – are now seen as victims. I read article after article about Americans getting older and having to work longer, and the tone of the articles without fail, is “Oh, those poor old people. How terrible that they have to continue to work because of the crappy economy.”
One article played up the “plight” of a healthy 70 year old woman who raises her grand daughter. To stay healthy enough to work, she exercises on a regular basis. How awful! What a disgrace! If she wasn’t working she’d probably be in a retirement community playing bingo and lunching with old ladies who wear crazy hats and haven’t exercised in fifty years and have a bunch of health issues to show for it.
Retirees who continue to work in some capacity, even part-time, are less likely to experience physical decline and disease, according to new U.S. research. Compared to those who quit working altogether, those who described themselves as officially retired but who continued to work part-time or in temp jobs were less likely to be diagnosed with eight diseases: high blood pressure, diabetes, cancer, lung disease, heart disease, stroke, psychiatric problems and arthritis. (1)
Retirement may be an entitlement but the reality is we are made for work. Those who are fortunate enough and healthy enough to work are lucky. They are not victims. They will likely live longer, healthier lives, and have enough income to do it in style.
(1) http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_90692.html
Source: November, 2009 Put Old on Hold Newsletter
Barbara Morris — Image F/X Publications
Barbara@PutOldOnHold.com
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