Marc Freedman suggests that with our extended life-spans, we need to plan (and implement) plans for second and third careers. The Big Shift includes plenty of stories about successful men and women who have transitioned from one career path to another. Marc Freedman provides research which shows that if people remain engaged in their later years, they have better health and happiness than if they retired to a couch with a remote. Freedman includes lists of resources to help with the planning process and advice about how to make it happen. If you don’t want to continue working in your later years, Freedman provides contacts for volunteer projects and agencies if that is more your style. The message behind this book is “Stay Active & Engaged” if you want to stay healthy and happy. For more detail, you can listen to the NPR story below. GRADE: B
This book really rings true. I’m in my early 50s and very few of the people I know in my age bracket (especially women) are still working in the same field/type of work they started in after college 30 years ago. I worked a corporate job for 20 years, then I went on the “Mommy track” and now work in the public schools. The teacher I work with is almost 77 (and she gets around better than I do!). My Dad is the same age and he still works every day–and he’s had a quintuple bypass and two major shoulder surgeries. I think most people shudder at the idea of sitting on the couch for 30 years after retirement.
Great comment, Deb! Plenty of my colleagues at the College are in their 70s. Marc Freedman’s research shows that folks who retire to the couch and the remote don’t live long.
“Remain engaged” is indeed an excellent prescription rather than just “get another job” (though that works too, if you want to go there).
Social isolation plagues senior citizens, Jeff. They had their jobs and co-workers to engage them earlier in the lives. But, once their Significant Other is no longer in their lives, things go Downhill fast according to Marc Freedman.
No wonder there are no jobs for new gards, with all these old folks clinging to theirs. I retired the minute I could. I’d like to pursue a part time second career, but how does one find work as a hit man?
I think you need to talk with Lawrence Block and Max Allan Collins about that hit man career, Bob.
new grads. Dammit. New GRADS!
There is something between the couch and the grind. I retired early (58) and haven’t regretted it for a minute – I keep quite busy enough, thank you, reading, listening to classical music, gardening, doing housework, cooking, drawing and painting (though I’m not good at all), blogging, walking, – did I mention reading, and writing the occasional review? It’s been 9 years and seems like 9 months… Also, many companies these days are booting their older employees out, after stripping them of medical and retirement benefits, while hiring eager young (cheap) inexperienced newcomers. Bottom line, is all. To me, 2nd and 3rd careers (that is, working another job after retiring) only makes sense if money requires it.
You planned your retirement and it’s working for you, Rick. Too many seniors just stop working and have no clue about what to do next.