If you did, you probably didn't hear it in Illinois. Retirement is rarely practiced, according to a University of Illinois survey.
Farmers just keep on farming.
The survey of 13 counties found that farmers are twice as likely to continue working beyond age 65 as are people of similar age doing other jobs. About 1,700 farmers responded to the survey, and 25 percent were 65 or older. Nationally, only 13 to 14 percent of workers 65 and over are still on the job. Of the 25 percent of farmers 65 or older, the average age was 73. A third of the 25 percent were 75 years or older and have been farming an average of 46 years.