Two-thirds of workers plan to work in retirement, mostly because they know they haven't saved enough to support their current standard of living. In reality, less than one-quarter of those in retirement work for pay (WSJ, no subscription required).
There is a big disconnect between those who think they can work in retirement and those who actually succeed in doing so.
Why? The three big reasons are health crises, layoffs and ageism. If you are unhealthy, you can't work. If you get fired and can't get a new job, then there's no paycheck. If you are too old to do the job or employers simply won't hire someone your age, then employment won't fill your spending gap.
Working in retirement seems like a great idea. It keeps you mentally and physically active. The evidence shows that those who keep working show less cognitive decline. Most who work in retirement do it because they enjoy it, not because they need it to cover their spending.
The bad news is that retirees find it hard to find employment or remain employed.
The good news is that most retirees learn to get by on a lower standard of living. Studies show that such retirees are happier and less stressed than they expected to be.
If you'd prefer to avoid the "getting by" solution, then the best thing to do is save more for retirement rather than planning to work.
Nothing in this blog should be considered investment, financial, tax, or legal advice. The opinions, estimates and projections contained herein are subject to change without notice. Information throughout this blog has been obtained from sources believed to be accurate and reliable, but such accuracy cannot be guaranteed.
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