Age will be an issue in the next election, but the implications are much wider. Our writers discuss.
I'll admit that I check my retirement savings more routinely than I probably need to, considering how many years I have left in the work force. Let's just say I'm about halfway to retirement. |
But last year, I watched my mom close out a career of more than a decade at the Federal Reserve … at the ripe age of 59. And it planted a seed that a slightly early retirement could be possible, which is at odds with how much I feel like I've been hearing lately about America's aging work force. |
Many people don't get to choose when to retire, but some do — and some are choosing to do so much later. To find some of them, look no further than Washington, D.C.: We currently have the oldest Senate — by average age — and president in U.S. history. |
The limits and bounds of an older political body and work force were the topic of last week's episode of the "Matter of Opinion" podcast. Age will no doubt be a factor in who we elect as our next president. Our columnists thoughtfully took on that debate and challenged one another with a bigger question: When is it time for someone to let go of a job that is intrinsically tied to their identity? Is there a point when retirement becomes a duty? |
For my mom, it was about duty and dignity. It was important for her to retire at the right time. But she hasn't completely stopped working. She's building a business as an executive coach, and she also has time to explore creative outlets such as photography and poetry. |
I don't know at what age I'll retire, or what I'll fill my days with in lieu of a full-time job when that happens. But listening to our columnists talk this through gave me a bit of hope for a world where we can have both well-earned, well-timed retirements and the possibility of careers that are worth a lifetime of work. Who knows? Maybe that is journalism for me. |
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