When Social Security was established in 1937, the average age of death was 63, and the number of contributors per retiree was 40. And we do, indeed, have people abandoning ship at an ever-increasing rate. We're asking for a war between the generations, as younger contributors see their own young families suffering because of increasing social security contributions. We're also asking for the erosion of other major programs. But that's not all.
Retirement is often pretty unhealthy for the retiree as well.
For many of us, retirement means feeling out of control, less useful, less connected to others, less challenged and, hence, less healthy. So before you let a disheartening work situation or trouble replacing a job you've lost drive you into abandoning the workforce in your early or mid-60s, think about other kinds of work you'd like to do. Visit Monster Talent Market to see what skills other people are selling in freelance or contract mode. And ask friends to help you think about other organizations, including some nonprofits, where what you know how to do could be useful, if only on a part-time basis. Or take a huge leap and imagine a whole new enterprise you might build.