The image of retirement used to mean receiving a gold watch, selling the family home and moving to Florida. Not so for today’s pioneers of aging. Rather than choosing to have an eternal vacation, many are choosing to fill their lives with more meaningful activities and new careers.

Not everyone is ready

Of course, some are choosing to continue working out of necessity. Many individuals are not adequately prepared for retirement according to a recent survey by the Federal Reserve Board. The study found thirty-one percent of non-retirees have no retirement savings or pension, including nearly a quarter of those older than 45.

Even among individuals who are saving, fewer than half of adults with self-directed retirement savings, the survey found, are mostly or very confident in their ability to make the right investment decisions when managing their retirement savings. However, by 2022, the Bureau of Labor projects that 31.9% of those ages 65 to 74 will still be working. And not all of those people are being forced to work. They want to work.

A healthy lifestyle is for some to not retire

Choosing “work” over constant leisure has more than financial benefits. Studies, such as the one done by Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario and the University of Rochester Medical Center, show having a purpose in life is a key to longevity.

In the words of Beatles singer, John Lennon, “Work is life you know and without it there’s nothing but fear and insecurity.” Need more convincing or a real life examples? Jeff Hester will impress and inspire you to give serious thought to re-inventing yourself rather than choosing to “relax” in your later years.