Why Retirement is a Terrible Idea.

[Mai72]

Michael Hyatt discusses why he thinks retirement is terrible idea. For anyone who doesn't know who Micheal Hyatt is he was the former Chairman and CEO of Thomas Nelson Publishers. He currently is a very successful blogger and puts out a popular podcast that I listen to frequently called "This is Your Life." http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_S._Hyatt

The article: http://michaelhyatt.com/retirement.html

He brings up quite a few reasons why he thinks the modern day concept of retirement is a bad idea.

This is a terrible and dehumanizing way to think of work. It assumes that workers have no real value beyond output. Once their productive years are over—however that’s determined—then we send them out to pasture.

The only way to get workers to play along is to convince them that the pasture is lush and relaxing. Suck it up now because it’s going to be wonderful in a few decades.

The effect is that we've now raised a few generations to look for fulfillment in the pasture, not their work. Satisfaction is a future thing, not a present possibility. Joy is for later. Meaning and significance comes from checking out down the road.

If you’re looking for a way to murder your heart, then congratulations. That’s it.

How many people do you know who absolutely hate their job? Everyday they keep counting down the days until they are able to one day retire. I know plenty of people like this.

Sadly, I can look at my father as an example. He's 70 years old and retired. Just a few years ago my mom passed away. They had 2 small successful cafes that I'm sure they would still have if she were still alive. He had passion when they had their stores. He was always learning. He loved to keep up on the business side of the restaurant. He was going to workshops with my mom. He loves to cook as well. He was heavily involved in this aspect as well. He was always growing. Always learning. Now? He sits home and changes the channel between FOX and CNN News. Whenever I visit his house I'm sad to see him sitting in front of the TV for long periods of time.

I don't think he's alone. IMO this is common with a lot of people who retire. They think the grass is going to be greener on the other side. They get there and realize that's it's not so great.

 

[Mai72]

I just wanted to add that he started blogging when he was still the CEO and Chairman of Thomas Nelson Publishing.

He was working 60 hour weeks, and was taking care of his 5 children.

 

[MustISO]

The key is to retire when you're still young enough to enjoy it. That's my dream.

 

[Caravaggio]

I just wanted to add that he started blogging when he was still the CEO and Chairman of Thomas Nelson Publishing.

He was working 60 hour weeks, and was taking care of his 5 children.

Being a CEO is probably a fine and interesting job. It brings autonomy, as much variety as you choose and is well paid. You are also master of your little universe.

Most people don't have jobs like that. I know a 74 year old bricklayer who needs to work because his pension company ran off with his money. His back is bad, he is in constant pain, his lungs are rough and he would love to stop.
Many people have mindless or physically heavy jobs which break their bodies and their spirit.
Your dad is depressed because he is still grieving and he is watching toxic TV channels. Take the remote from him, get him online, to take up a hobby or sport, even go back to working in a cafe, rather than running one. He probably misses the company and the customers.

Encourage him to compile his own book of recipes....call that nice widow down the road..

 

[shortylickens]

I noticed something at my first job, in the Navy, and at the two civilian jobs afterwards: Hard Work is a virtue often pushed by people who would prefer to exploit those under them.

If you wanna succeed, dont work hard, work smart.
Working hard just benefits someone above you. It rarely does you any good.

 

[Murloc]

people who do physical jobs break at a certain point, and people who do menial jobs because they're too mentally limited for anything else don't have much of a choice.

 

[MongGrel]

Life can be a bitch, and you do what you can to get by.

OP doesn't seem to appreciate his father very much, I might not make it to retirement age myself.

Have done many things in my life, I still do.

Maybe you should take your father on a cruise or something.

We did that for my father in law right before he passed away, the wife and her sister put in to do it with us and their father to Alaska.

Or do something for him, fishing etc ?

Something maybe he did in your past, that you enjoyed together maybe.

Sadly, you're here posting about it, and not trying to make the guy that raised you life any different.

I need to go see my grandmother I rescued from death at my brothers house who is enjoying assisted living atm tomorrow, I haven't honestly been there in a long time, but if I had left here there and not gotten here out and fought the VA for 18 months she probably wouldn't be alive and still happy now.

 

[MongGrel]

OP needs to pull you're head out of your ass in general, IMHO.

 

[KB]

Sorry we don't send them out to pasture as the author believes. In most cases they choose when they wish to retire. Some never do retire and continue to work for the rest of their lives. Retirement is only as good as you plan it.

Your father isn't depressed from retirement he's grieving the loss of your mother. Let him grieve. Eventually you can introduce him to Internet dating.

 

[Dessicant]

Being a CEO is probably a fine and interesting job. It brings autonomy, as much variety as you choose and is well paid. You are also master of your little universe.

Most people don't have jobs like that. I know a 74 year old bricklayer who needs to work because his pension company ran off with his money. His back is bad, he is in constant pain, his lungs are rough and he would love to stop.
Many people have mindless or physically heavy jobs which break their bodies and their spirit.
Your dad is depressed because he is still grieving and he is watching toxic TV channels. Take the remote from him, get him online, to take up a hobby or sport, even go back to working in a cafe, rather than running one. He probably misses the company and the customers.

Encourage him to compile his own book of recipes....call that nice widow down the road..

If someone with a hard physical job puts 20% of their money into savings, starting when they are in their 20's, they will be able to retire to an easier part time job in their late 50s when they start to break down. The key is using Reason throughout your life and not wasting your money. But how many dumb people save nothing and want their fellow man to pony up big dough to take care of them when they geezer up? Like, way too many of them.

Do things in the right order. Job, savings, work hard, no kids until you have enough money to raise and educate them.

Even the lowliest brainless construction worker can do this, with a little common sense.

 

[Vdubchaos]

Michael Hyatt discusses why he thinks retirement is terrible idea. For anyone who doesn't know who Micheal Hyatt is he was the former Chairman and CEO of Thomas Nelson Publishers. He currently is a very successful blogger and puts out a popular podcast that I listen to frequently called "This is Your Life." http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_S._Hyatt

The article: http://michaelhyatt.com/retirement.html

He brings up quite a few reasons why he thinks the modern day concept of retirement is a bad idea.

So basically a rich guy telling us to never stop working......hehe

How many people do you know who absolutely hate their job? Everyday they keep counting down the days until they are able to one day retire. I know plenty of people like this.

How many people love their job? Answer, not many.

Heck I don't believe I ever met such person in my life.

Sadly, I can look at my father as an example. He's 70 years old and retired. Just a few years ago my mom passed away. They had 2 small successful cafes that I'm sure they would still have if she were still alive. He had passion when they had their stores. He was always learning. He loved to keep up on the business side of the restaurant. He was going to workshops with my mom. He loves to cook as well. He was heavily involved in this aspect as well. He was always growing. Always learning. Now? He sits home and changes the channel between FOX and CNN News. Whenever I visit his house I'm sad to see him sitting in front of the TV for long periods of time.

Why do you care what he does on his free time. Chances are, that's what he likes and enjoys. LEave him alone.

Just because it makes you miserable, doesn't mean that's the case for him.

Also, for every "bum" retiree there is many that go out and enjoy their life.

I don't think he's alone. IMO this is common with a lot of people who retire. They think the grass is going to be greener on the other side. They get there and realize that's it's not so great.

I think when one works for 50+ years on regular basis, the deserve a break. ANy person that retires can do 1000 different things with their life/time and be productive.

 

[Scarpozzi]

Some people aren't productive outside of work....period. If you don't waste money and invest wisely, you will definitely have more money. That guy's an idiot...he can say what he wants about work, but the federal government regulates a lot of tax breaks when you turn the right age and you can start cashing out your savings to enjoy it. Retirement is about financial security for your family as much as your future self.

 

[inachu]

Retirement is only needed if you never truly loved your job and just treated it as a job.

Nice point though that if you truly loved your job then why retire? Would be dumb!

 

[Caravaggio]

If someone with a hard physical job puts 20% of their money into savings, starting when they are in their 20's, they will be able to retire to an easier part time job in their late 50s when they start to break down. The key is using Reason throughout your life and not wasting your money. But how many dumb people save nothing and want their fellow man to pony up big dough to take care of them when they geezer up? Like, way too many of them.

Do things in the right order. Job, savings, work hard, no kids until you have enough money to raise and educate them.

Even the lowliest brainless construction worker can do this, with a little common sense.

Your values are familiar to me as I was raised by exactly those standards. Word for word.

But some people encounter problems that cannot easily be forseen. The 74 yr old bricklayer I mentioned has two sons. He hoped they would work to help him as he "geezered-up", as you put it. They were both disappointments. One is a piss-head the other shuttles between cocaine and heroin. They have kids and he is still working, in part, because he shares your values and he wants to give his grandchildren more than the state can afford.

I have worked in many temporary jobs in construction before following the middle class route. I did not find many "brainless" lowly people there and I have done some of the worst-paid and most demeaning jobs; from sewer cleaner to night security watchman.

 

[Vdubchaos]

I have worked in many temporary jobs in construction before following the middle class route. I did not find many "brainless" lowly people there and I have done some of the worst-paid and most demeaning jobs; from sewer cleaner to night security watchman.

I've noticed that higher/high income and common sense don't really go hand in hand.

People that make the least money seem to have the most common sense.

 

[TeeJay1952]

It is the career vs occupation thing.
I had a job. I was occupied. Retired as soon as I could. Autoworker
I had a hobby (career, love whatever you call it) Computer Support for the masses.
I did that till I could no longer. (Memory problems, getting lost. Time to stay around home)
I still have my ears perk up when someone has a tech problem. Never want to go back to Assembly Line.

 

[PricklyPete]

Retirement does not have to mean you are no longer engaged, it just means you get to make your own choices on what you are engaged in.

 

[Scarpozzi]

Retirement does not have to mean you are no longer engaged, it just means you get to make your own choices on what you are engaged in.

Retirement also doesn't mean you're not necessarily on your next career. I know a guy that retired and started a successful microbrewery 6 months later.


The key to retirement is to establish multiple income streams from your portfolios and savings....hopefully, some from ROTH IRAs so you can take it tax free and drop your taxable income when in retirement...especially if drawing from 401k and still working.

 

[SMOGZINN]

If someone with a hard physical job puts 20% of their money into savings, starting when they are in their 20's, they will be able to retire to an easier part time job in their late 50s when they start to break down. The key is using Reason throughout your life and not wasting your money. But how many dumb people save nothing and want their fellow man to pony up big dough to take care of them when they geezer up? Like, way too many of them.

Do things in the right order. Job, savings, work hard, no kids until you have enough money to raise and educate them.

Even the lowliest brainless construction worker can do this, with a little common sense.

Our country has become very good at making sure you can't put 20% of your income into savings. In fact I would say that for someone working a 'hard physical job' it is basically impossible.

 

[Vdubchaos]

Our country has become very good at making sure you can't put 20% of your income into savings. In fact I would say that for someone working a 'hard physical job' it is basically impossible.

That + people made sure they blow that money rather than save it for the rainy day...we are consumers.

 

[IndyColtsFan]

Retirement does not have to mean you are no longer engaged, it just means you get to make your own choices on what you are engaged in.

This.

The guy quoted in the OP has it all wrong IMO. This quote sums up his attitude nicely:

The effect is that we've now raised a few generations to look for fulfillment in the pasture, not their work.

To me, it sounds like he thinks your job should be the primary source of fulfillment in your life and nothing could possibly be further from the truth IMO (of course, there are a few exceptions). I only work because I have to support myself; it isn't some great, noble journey I'm on. My satisfaction and fulfillment come from outside of my job and always will.

 

[Vdubchaos]

To me, it sounds like he thinks your job should be the primary source of fulfillment in your life and nothing could possibly be further from the truth IMO (of course, there are a few exceptions). I only work because I have to support myself; it isn't some great, noble journey I'm on. My satisfaction and fulfillment come from outside of my job and always will.

Same here

But I find that a lot of people are like OP. Cause you know, getting rich is the only goal in life.

😎🙄

 

[IndyColtsFan]

Same here

But I find that a lot of people are like OP. Cause you know, getting rich is the only goal in life.

😎🙄

You have to find a place in the middle IMO. Take my wife's friends for instance. Most of them went into debt for silly degrees and are making low $40Ks in their mid-30s to mid 40s.

One girl got a Masters degree from Harvard in some Eastern Asian Religion BS. She's the one that landed a job as a paralegal and made decent money. She then got the bright idea to follow her "calling" and quit that job and took a huge pay cut to be an international student advisor at a local college. The last time we talked to her, she was complaining about what she makes and it "isn't what she thought" and she hit my wife up about getting a job at her workplace. My wife said "What was your undergrad degree in?" The response was "English Lit." My wife (gently) told her that you pretty much had to have an accounting or economics degree and the she really wasn't qualified (more tactfully, of course).

For me, a job is just a way to support myself and pay for the things I REALLY enjoy. I don't need to be rich, but making $40K when you're 40 and in huge student loan debt just wouldn't cut it for me. I'll trade a little misery on the job for more money to be happier outside of work. 🙂

 

[Dr. Zaus]

Being a professor in an in-demand field (read not humanities, hard sciences, or social sciences) I love my job and my pay... I don't know why everyone doesn't just become a professor of engineering/accounting/nursing.