retired
This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Bill Bengel, 84, a Michigan retiree who stopped working 24 years ago. After spending most of his career at General Motors, Bengel retired and lived the next two decades at a lake house in northern Michigan and in Florida. However, after…
Leila Lieberman, 93, retired over two decades ago on a tight budget after working for years as a counselor. Lieberman lives in Manhattan and said that following her passions allowed her to live a fulfilling life, even if it meant retiring without enough to live comfortably and having a roommate.…
This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with John Moore. It has been edited for length and clarity.I delivered mail with the post office for 31 years. As a mailman, you know everyone. Depending on what you’re delivering, sometimes they’re happy to see you, and sometimes they’re not. When…
Richard Maas, 89, just wants to go back to work.Maas, who lives in Tempe, Arizona, worked in the automobile industry for over five decades, including running an appraisal company into his late 80s. He retired nearly two years ago when the work became too physically demanding, but he said his…
Frank Noble, 86, retired from his demanding job in forestry in Australia when he was in his 50s.He said having hobbies, taking on part-time work, and traveling have helped him feel fulfilled.He also attributes his successful early retirement to having financial stability and no mortgage.This as-told-to essay is based on…
Tori Carter and Kirk Rickman sold their home in 2022 to become full-time cruisers.They’ve since been on 29 cruises, the longest for 68 days.The retirees use the monthly income from their rental properties to help subsidize their travels.For Victoria “Tori” Carter, bad things did come in threes.First, her friend died…
Peacetime is making US military doctors grossly unprepared for war, a retired Air Force colonel said.Col. Jeremy Cannon warned that trauma surgeons aren’t getting enough cases to make them combat-ready.There’s been growing concern that only 10% of US military doctors are ready for a peer conflict.The US military’s surgeons aren’t…
Jim Owen, a former investment manager, was goal-oriented but couldn’t find the motivation to exercise. At age 70, he had “excruciating” back pain so started working out. Starting from zero, he now competes in fitness contests, has lost 35 pounds, and fixed his back pain.At 70, Jim Owen couldn’t do…
We didn’t really know our neighbor of 11 years until my husband asked to borrow his truck.He not only said yes, but accompanied him on his errand. Afterward, he came over for dinner.We’re still friends to this day, and he’s a grandfather figure to our kids.My husband and I found…
Orrin Onken had always relied on his wife to organize his social life — until one day in 2024.He started inviting men over for lunch to ease the social isolation that comes with retirement.Though some people turned him down, he gained friends and a greater sense of courage.There’s a stereotype…
