To some, working beyond 65 may seem unnatural and carrying on into our 70s positively outré. But soon, according to the World Health Organization, holding a job on our 100th birthday won't be unusual. John Beard, director of the WHO's Department of Aging and the Life Course, says most people born in developed countries today can expect to live well past 100, with the onset of disabling illness delayed close to the end of life. "This means we'll be working into our 70s, 80s and beyond," he says.
Does that sound far-fetched? In fact, it's already happening. According to the RAND Corporation, 17 percent of American men and women aged 65 to 75 were in the workforce in 1990. Since then, the number has jumped to 25 percent, and a significant rise in employment among those older than 75 was also seen. What's more, RAND researchers project a sharp increase in these figures in the next decade.
Do you intend to work forever?
I asked each Ripe pioneer this question ("RIPE" is my new book, about rich, rewarding work after 50). Some talked about a finite period, as in "another 10 years." Others were uncertain. Social innovator Rosa Lee Harden said she'd recently seen her good friend, Phyllis Tickle, who at 77 continues to write and give speeches around the world. "I confided to her that I was thinking about doing one more thing before I retired. 'Retire?' she laughed. 'You're 55. What are you talking about?'"
The vast majority of Ripe pioneers said they will always work. They're not just postponing retirement but eliminating it as an option altogether. In this, they echo many of the high-profile people who are on this journey with us -- can you imagine Barbra Streisand, Robert Redford or Christopher Plummer coming to a complete stop? As Peter Frampton recently told Oprah Winfrey, "The 'R-word' isn't even in my vocabulary."
It's something Jerry Morris believed wholeheartedly. Just after World War II, he led a study to examine heart-attack rates in different occupations in England. The results showed a striking difference in transit workers -- sedentary drivers were twice as likely to die of a heart attack as the conductors who went up and down 500 steps a day.
Morris proved that exercise helps you live longer. And it worked for him. At 99, he was still making his way each day to his office at the London School of Hygiene and Medicine, and lobbying government to encourage people to take up regular physical activity.
As we move into our 70s, 80s and beyond, the terrain changes. How do we navigate the new landscape and continue to ripen? More on this -- including examples of people like us who've ripened after 60, 75 and 90 -- in the weeks to come.
Are you over 50 and ripe for change? Are you feeling at the top of your game? Are you finding that the world wants you to go away? Share your story with us below or feel free to email me via my website.
"RIPE" is here! This spring, I'm writing about "RIPE: Rich, Rewarding Work After 50," a 12-week course on discovering passion, purpose and possibility at midlife. Check out the video (a.k.a. book trailer!):
Be part of the "RIPE" community on HuffPost, Facebook and Twitter. Together, we are going to change this phase of life!
Follow Julia Moulden on Twitter: www.twitter.com/juliamoulden
*smiles* Just letting off steam there. I fully expect to be working at 100 and beyond. Doing things that I love.
Blessed Be
I consider myself " semi-retired".
Less than 6 months after retiring from this full-time position, I'm starting to have ideas about what else I could do, I've been thinking of creating a website for tutoring, this way I could tutor even when I'm traveling, because I want to be more mobile.
so, this next chapter is only beginning , but I see lots of possibilities, life is good.
And it's not just the way, but the spirit. I see people every week as a coach who think life is over at 55. We were sold a bill of goods. It's not the end of the road, but a new beginning! Keep writing, sunflower12. We want to know how it goes with your new venture(s).
Those of us who have illnesses, chronic ones, will need to find new paths forward, for sure. I've struggled with a condition that left me unable to sit for more than a year, yet I continued to fly across the continent giving speeches (i'd ''walk' the entire distance, up and down the aisle). I'm not in any way suggesting that people who need help get it. Just that the millions of us who are able need to keep going. And that the very act of doing will bring us back to LIFE.
Second "retirement" at 71 when I moved to AZ and turned the rescue over to others. Now volunteering with a rescue group and also at Salvation Army. Now have time for family and friends to visit and enjoy time together, work in my veggie garden and yard, meet new people at my volunteer work, read, swim in summer and bike in fall and winter.
Money is tight but you "make do or do without", as I was taught. Life is good!
like you, i've been an adventurer all my life -- sounds like you've had a great life so far. do keep sharing your story. we want to know more about how you found your way - and what you're doing now!
Veteran of 2 wars, 2 great wives (1 English royalty, 1 French royalty), 4 good children all healthy, successful, sure of themselves and relaxed in the world, although one insists I was a lousy dad. Eldest daughter is the senior writer for American Medical News. Eldest son is directing his first film from one of his stories, has published 12 books, occasionally teaches at Stanford, has a book club, is a cult figure; Vanity Fair called him "genius", Publishers Weekly calls him "America's most underrated writer" (so I guess that makes me America's most underrated dad, and Lucky America's most underrated dog). Youngest daughter is on an archeological dig in Roumania and has translated ancient texts in the Vatican for the Pope. Youngest son is a medic in the army and a policeman, and will be leaving for Afghanistan. (continued)
I starred in my first movie when I was 5, and partial memoir is on file with the Museum of Broadcasting History. I am a great- nephew of Simon Frug, the last National Jewish Poet under the Tsar Nicholas. I have published 40+ books, hundreds of articles and stories in 11 languages around the globe. Listed in CONTEMPORARY AUTHORS. My last book was THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF JESUS CHRIST as told to Neil Elliott (dat's me). Recently I re-wrote WAR AND PEACE just for the hell of it. I mentor a lot of young guys--helping them with their careers, romances, finding themselves, etc. I even write their medical school applications. I winter in Panama City Beach. People always say I should write my memoirs but I probably won't. Though one young guy is compiling a book of my "wit and wisdom": If anybody can find out what the hell's going on, please notify me. Is there a life after bIrth?--Neil Elliott
Really enjoying your book.
Best wishes!
Kim in Munich
what i love most of us is that you're out there, trying new things, stretching yourself (literally with yoga!). that's the secret to ripening - it's all about building on our lifetime of experience and exploring new passion. your life sounds amazing (and, yes, even the consumer limitations). do keep writing -- we want to know what happens!
I'm enjoying this new chapter in my life, waking up every day to new things, new possibilities that I'm creating for myself. Before I didn't have time for any of this, teaching consumed my days.
will be interesting to see how many of you retirees find that you're restless and want to get back to work. taking a break for a bit is good (and necessary!), but the research shows that staying active and engaged are essential to successful aging. please keep reading -- and sharing your thoughts!
And for those that think that I should make way for younger blood... I've been witness to the skills and talent this younger blood brings to the table...and am quite unimpressed for the most part. It still takes three years to begin to know what you're doing and about and 5 to 10 years to develop the skills that good teaching requires...if you can last that long. Most leave long before their skills have time to develop to the "good teacher" level.
Progressive organizations are indeed recognizing both the value of experienced older workers and taking steps to recruit and retain them. BMW is just one example. They've created an entire plant where the only employees are those over 50.
Work is good for us as human beings. We were not designed to coast for the rest of our lives. We're going to re-make this phase of life because yes, many of us need to keep earning, and because it's good for us, our children, and our world. Please keep reading, both of you -- and commenting!