by Dorothy Littell Greco
Our retirement plan is not to retire. My husband and I might be able to stop working at some point for about six months—and then we’ll need to begin an encore career or buy an Airstream and camp out in various National Parks and Costco parking lots. Funny. Not funny.
We both made the idealistic decision to follow our dreams. To live out our callings. Unfortunately, neither of those callings happen to be valued by the mysterious powers that set salaries. He works as a teacher, worship leader, and therapist. I make photos and string words together. Both of us typically put in 50-60 hour work weeks—not because we waste time noodling around on social media or going for long lunch breaks but because that’s how many hours it takes to pull together a middle school production of Shakespeare or write a book.
Worth noting: we’re both in our mid to late fifties, live in one of the most expensive regions in the country, and have three sons.
The reality of not being able to save for retirement only troubles us when we read estimates about how much we’ll need in order to live our our lives. The rest of the time, denial serves us well. Denial and the fact that we both love what we do. Though it’s rare for anyone over the age of 35 to serve as a worship pastor these days, we see no reason why Christopher couldn’t lead some type of group sing in a local retirement home or before bingo at the senior center. And though I will not be doing photo assignments much longer, provided that my brain stays sharp and the ideas keep flowing, I should be able to continue my writing career well into my 80s.
Before you judge us as naive or irresponsible, there’s biblical precedence for our perspective. Noah was busy measuring cubits and slapping pitch between the cypress logs for his ark when he was approximately 600 years old. (OK. He lived until he was 950 so when you apply this metric to current lifespans, he was in midlife.) Neither Moses, nor Joseph, nor any of the other big name patriarchs seemed to put down their staffs and float around in the Mediterranean on holiday. And though we might envision Lydia, the Proverbs 31 woman, or Mary, the mother of Jesus, as perpetually 32, chances are, they continued their work and ministry well into old age.
The fact is, the American version of retiring to Florida (or some other low tax, sun-kissed state) in order to spend lazy afternoons in front of slot machines or teeing off on the golf course has little Scriptural support. The only mention of retirement in the Bible seems to be Numbers 8: the Levitical priests were instructed to formally retire from their duties at the tender age of 50. (Mistakes were highly consequential in their line of work. See Numbers 3:2-4)
Of course, some of our bodies simply wear out making the daily grind impossible. And some of us age out of our professions. (Forty-one-year-old New England Patriots’ QB Tom Brady is arguably a time bomb on both accounts.) But even if we get pushed out, bought out, or simply laid off, provided that we’re fairly functional, there’s little reason why we should not continue to do some form of work until we draw our final breath.
Apparently, my husband and I are not the only ones who adhere to this philosophy. According to an article in AARP, “The number of workers over age 75 who work is still a small phenomenon as a percentage of the population, but it’s definitely trending upward,” says Sara Rix, senior strategic policy adviser with the AARP Public Policy Institute. Amy Kaiser, age 70, is still conducting the St. Louis Symphony Chorus and has no plans to retire. Vermont Senator and once presidential hopeful Bernie Sanders is 76. Actress Judi Dench is 83. Laura Ingalls Wilder, author of Little House on the Prairie books, did not publish until she was 65.
Assuming that we grow in wisdom and maturity and continue to become more like Jesus as we age, what we have to offer is desperately needed in this world. The experience, perspective, and maturity of a 50, 60 or 70 year old year cannot be matched by a Google search. (Just for grins, try asking Siri How do I handle a cancer diagnosis? or What’s your advice if my wife walks out? See what I mean?) By this point in our lives, we are truly valuable. Whether or not we’ll get duly compensated for our wisdom and experience is another matter.
Which leads back to our dubious retirement plan. We’re open to all leads on quiet, cheap campgrounds. And in the meantime, we’re choosing to trust that God really will somehow provide for all of our needs.
Dorothy Littell Greco is a writer, author, and photographer. When she’s not working, she’s kayaking, walking her fluffy cockapoo Leo, or concocting paleo desserts.
Cover photo courtesy of Dorothy (Editor’s note: She’s an amazing photographer!)
Yes! Just took on a new job at age 61, and my husband is still working full time at age 67. Looking forward to some “mini” breaks, but plan to keep working until we really can’t!
May the Lord keep all of us healthy enough to keep going.
I completely agree with your plan! I’ve held this understanding of a Biblical model for quite some time. My husband is younger than I (he turns 55 this week; I’ll be 61 this fall) and we both are moving our work to non-site specific occupations so that we can live more simply. We have a cute little trailer (19ft so it fits within the National Park 25′ limit) and are planning to go out on the road! I can’t imagine not working; I enjoy creating and serving others with the wisdom God has given. Thanks for sharing, Dorothy! Maybe we’ll see each other at one of the National Parks!
I would love that. Send photos! Thanks for reading.
Well, I certainly hope you keep writing into your 80’s and beyond!
And our plan is similar and for all the same reasons: a pack of boys, regrettably un-lucrative career choices, and the fact that I can’t even imagine life in a rocking chair.
I have a semi-retirement approaching in two years when my youngest son graduates from high school, and I “graduate” from homeschooling. Lately I’ve been getting a lot of, “Wow, what are you going to do with yourself” questions. And so I just smile and say, “I’m sure I”ll think of something.”
Thanks Michele. I hope that your retirement from HS’ing includes more writing! That was a major transition point for me. When all 3 boys were no longer taught at home, I for sure had much more creativity for other pursuits.
i am 6 years older than Ron and at the advice of our financial person, i decided to ‘retire’… i was quitting my part time job at the church and we both figured, why not. I have always wanted to go across country so your idea is wonderful to me!! in fact, we got a senior pass to the national parks while they were still $20 a piece (rumor had it they were going up to $80). But Ron now has his dream job and doesn’t want to retire! I do not believe in just lying around all day either. I love to travel but I also feel since I am still vertical and can put sentences together, I should actually DO something. We are fortunate that Ron’s job pays what it does. And with the inheritance from my parents, we paid off the house. So I’m trying out something here and there… haven’t quite found my niche yet.
you and Chris did what few do, I think, you followed your hearts and did what you love. You use your gifts and talants in ways that you were created to do. but yes, you live in an obscenely expensive state. I can’t get over what it costs now in MA… My suggestion is to just look around, ask questions.. you don’t have to do a thing. But gather information and see what comes out of it.
judi
My father has held the view that retirement was not Biblical all his life. Even now at 83 he still works, though he is slowing down. My parents have done much more travel in their senior years than they did earlier in their lives. Susan and I are looking at working well into our 70s. Having children late in life has something to do with that. Thanks for writing and getting your vision out there. I always enjoy it.
Thanks for reading and for letting me know you stopped by. I’m curious to hear what your father does or has done work wise.
Dorothy, my father has taught science, industrial arts, and aviation at the high school and college level. He was a guidance counselor, and has worked in industry before becoming a contractor specializing in plumbing and electrical work. The family joke is that he is a jack of all trades and a master of one because Ohio University says so. He has done short term mission work with three main organizations for the past 30 years, mainly teaching on finances and business from a biblical perspective. The fact that he was a businessman who paid his way over to speak with the evangelist made a big impact on those who heard him. This is the first year that he has not gone overseas.
Many Americans want to retire because they got into jobs they did not necessarily like “for the money.” These jobs also often involve unreasonable job descriptions (e.g. 70 hours per week with few breaks). Thus, they want to retire because they want to quit doing something they do NOT like (or actually hate) to do! However, channel surfing and/or golf sound a lot like being dead to me. 🙂
Glad that you two continue to do things that compliment your wiring!
Good point. Thanks for adding that insight.
Crazy! Irresponsible! I love it! We’re “retiring,” so everyone figured we’d downsize, find a nice over-55 community with side-by-side grave plots, and Bingo on Thursdays. However, here we are, in our gorgeous old farmhouse and 2 acres, and we have no idea what God is up to in our lives, but we’re open! If you need a place to park that Airstream for a while, let me know! I’ve written a couple of books, plus a bazillion articles, bad poetry, and disgruntled letters to the editor, and we can talk about why we do such things.
That sounds like an awesome offer! (Is there a lake or water view involved?) Thanks for reading and I hope that this is an amazing season for both of you.
You have the best motivation to continue working. I recently heard that creativity increases from she 65 through the mid 80’s. I think you’re well ahead of the game. Your heart and words are inspiring.
Thanks so much for reading and for taking the time to leave an affirming comment!
Great post Dorothy-I’m with you! We have a family friend who, with his wife and an airstream, are summer hosts in National Park campgrounds out west each summer. They are in their late 70s now but full of adventure and extremely physically active. Check it out! – Deb Kennedy
Thanks Deb. As long as I could have a comfy bed and well, an indoor toilet, I think I’d be set!
When I read your post, I thought of Psalm 37:25, “Once I was young, and now I am old. Yet I have never seen the godly abandoned or their children begging for bread.” It comes to mind quite a bit lately.
God is faithful. Not that we should be foolish. But who knows what tomorrow holds. My husband semi-retired in his late 50’s with a decent pension. After a couple of years, his business changed unexpectedly and he was forced to fully retire w/o healthcare. I’d been working part-time all along. Now, he just landed a part-time job as well to cover the cost of healthcare. All I have needed, Thy hand hath provided.