Are You Retiring From Something or To Something?
Finding Your Way After "Work" Ends
A reader shared a LinkedIn discussion by a consultant who works with post-career professionals. I LOVED the discussion. There were 50 comments and I’m retired—so I read them! There was a lot of talk about purpose, a few people challenged the idea of retiring, respondents mentioned fear, and others found fulfillment in later years.
Most of the people I know focus more on the financial preparation for retirement, not realizing that leaving a career is a holistic adventure.
Tuesday, I attended the University of Indianapolis’ Center for Aging & Community lecture series. Harold “HB” Bell presented “The Snowflake Effect,” while it centered on aging, there were many lessons about purpose and finding meaning. I agree with HB, that like an aging journey; a retirement journey looks different for everyone. It is as unique as a snowflake.
“Have It Your Way”
If you’re contemplating retirement, in the U.S., you probably remember the Burger King slogan introduced in 1974. The commercial referred to the flexibility of customizing a Whopper hamburger. As we reach our 50s, 60s, and 70s—we’re moving into an era of flexibility and customizing our “what’s next.”
A few years ago, octogenarians were the fastest growing demographic in the U.S. Now the subset of 85+ is the fastest-growing age group. With reasonably good health, we may live into our 80s and 90s, with mobility, a sound mind, and the ability to contribute to society.
Regular readers of Older, Bolder & Better! know that I watched the examples of family members, now thriving octogenarians, as they retired twenty years ago. My mother officially retired at 70 as a RHIA, Health Information Management professional. It was her dream career and passion for decades. After two years of being retired at home, she began working part-time, two days a week. Mom maintained her RHIA credential for another decade before her death several years later.
A former colleague of mine retired after 25 years at our employer. He wanted to dedicate himself to the business he began as his career was winding down. He’s nearing 80. The business is thriving, he’s still passionately involved, and his company is a legacy for generations to come.
After a lifetime of work, if a 3-G retirement (Grandkids, Golf & Gardening) is your goal, there’s no shame in that. We get one life; live it boldly as you choose.
What Are You Doing After Work?
Several commenters on the LinkedIn post expressed a desire to never stop working. That’s a great choice for people who love their profession. However, it often requires a company to assist in making that desire a reality. Ageism is real. Some employees pivot and become entrepreneurs to work forever. Venturing into business may not be for everyone.
There are those exceptions in their 70s with vibrant careers. I recently spent time with a full-time working 70+ year old friend. She’s strategic, well thought of in her industry, and a valued member of her organization’s management team. As a consummate networker, she radiates energy. I left her feeling energized!
The current unemployment rate for August 2025 is 4.3% according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Or the unemployment rate is a staggering 24.3% measured by the Ludwig Institute for Shared Economic Prosperity (LISEP) index measuring “functional unemployment." LISEP includes the jobless and ‘under-employed’ part-time workers seeking a full-time job and workers in lower wage jobs until they can get back to their previous income level.
A stroll through my LinkedIn feed shows less green #Open to Work collars on profiles and more long-form posts about extended job searches.
My Final Thought
Retiring is about perspective. Are you leaving your career because you are going to do something? My friend with the growing business or Harold “HB” Bell, the community aging advocate left their jobs to do something new. I did that as well.
Are you leaving from a position, involuntarily as part of a layoff/buy-out or voluntarily from stress and burn-out? It may be time to hire someone to help navigate your post-career strategy like the resources on LinkedIn.
Brenda, love this article. There is another book that your readers might be interested in, The Uncommon Guide to Retirement by Jeff Haanan.
Here is a description from Amazon: What am I going to do with my retirement?
People talk about retirement like it’s supposed to be an endless vacation. But what if, like the majority of those facing retirement, you can’t afford such a luxury? Or, what if you just want something more from retirement? Some advocate for no retirement at all. But you’ve worked for decades and a rest and reprieve do sound appealing. What should you do? Does God have a purpose for your retirement?
Yes, He does. Learn how to discern what it is by taking an uncommon approach. Jeff Haanen looks biblically and practically at the need for rest and purpose in retirement. And teaches you how to:
Take a sabbatical rest in early retirement
Listen to God’s voice for their calling in retirement
Rethink “work” in retirement
Understand family systems and leaving a legacy
Planning retirement doesn’t have to be distressing. Retire in a way that’s God-honoring, purpose-filled, restful, and truly biblical.