Redefining Retirement: Finding Purpose beyond the Workplace

Retirement has been on my mind for the last four or five years, even though I’m still more than 25 years away from the official retirement age of 65. I’m keenly aware that “even the best dancer must retire sometime.” When I think about retiring, I worry not only about having enough money so I’m not a burden to my children, but also about how I’ll spend the years before, hopefully, transitioning at age 105.

Growing up, I noticed that people considered themselves very old by 50, and by 65, most had become that classic image of a grandparent: slightly stooped, using a walking stick. Men often had a special chair where they’d sit all day staring at nothing in particular, while women would spend their days weaving, digging around, or giving orders from the veranda or their beds. This vision of retirement was never appealing to me.

My maternal grandparents have always been hard workers, my granddad worked until a few months before he passed on. Even in her 80s, my grandmother continues working for herself and her family. This breaks my heart. My father retired about four years ago, but he hasn’t slowed down, and my mother also seems more energetic than ever. Both are in their early 60s, and have been empty nester for at least four years. I feel conflicted: I’m glad they remain active, but I wish they could slow down and enjoy what they’ve accomplished. Nonetheless, I respect their reasons and vision.

Interestingly, retirement in Japan isn’t very different. Elderly men, or ojichans, often sit in parks or cafes, sometimes working part-time jobs like traffic control or ticket checking at bicycle and car parking lots. Some start new ventures like food stands, bakeries, or pottery. Others return to their old fields as consultants. In contrast, i rarely see elderly women, or obachans, taking on new roles aside from occasionally helping in bakeries or childcare. Many of these couples are childless or have just one child living far away. The Japanese government has tried to reintegrate seniors into the workforce with training programs for jobs at restaurants, daycares, and convenience stores. This is a step in the right direction, but I often wonder whether the seniors are truly happy with these transition.

From all I’ve learned about aging, one thing stands out: people thrive on feeling needed and useful. Retirement usually sends the message that one’s usefulness has expired, leaving many unsure how to fill their remaining days. While aging does bring decline in cognitive and physical abilities, this along shouldn’t diminish the valuable contributions retirees can make. Unfortunately, only a handful can become consultants or board members or even completely pivot into something new; most face a bleak future. In Uganda, many men die just a few years after retirement, as savings dwindle, health problems worsen, and anxiety sets in. That’s a statistic that truly frightens me.

Work is changing rapidly due to AI, new technologies, global events like COVID-19, increased women’s empowerment, and shifting markets. But support systems to help people transition to a fulfilling retirement seem lacking. Just as we openly discuss marriage, parenting, and careers, we should start talking about retirement early—ideally when first starting a job or business. Conversation and planning could help people build a life to retire to, not from.

I’m still figuring out what my ideal retirement looks like. I invite you to reflect and share:Do you think about retirement? What excites or worries you about it? Do you like the retirement lifestyles you see around you? Do you want something different, and if so, what is it and what are you doing to make it happen? How can we better prepare ourselves and others for a more fulfilling retirement?

Credit: Cover Picture developed by Deep AI