|
|
||||
|
|
Reinventing Retirement Newsletter
Uncle Sam Wants You...to Go Back to Work As you probably know, Social Security was created to encourage older workers to leave the labor force to make room for younger workers. Over time, Social Security became an icon of what it meant to be older. It was a given that at age 65, one "retired" from paid work in order to be eligible for benefits. At the same time, it was becoming clear that Social Security benefits alone would not be sufficient to sustain any but the most frugal lifestyle without some other sources of income. Investment advice directed at our age group has become a growth industry, nearly all of it ignoring the obvious: the majority of people today say they plan for a post-career life that includes paid work of some kind. Today, with labor shortages looming as a small group of so-called Gen-Xers hit maturity, it may well become your civic duty to remain in or return to the work force. According to the Census Bureau, the number of 20 to 34 year olds in the U.S. has declined by 6 million over the last decade, while the number of people over 50 has increased by 12 million. Uncle Sam apparently wants you badly enough that in March this year, the House voted to give workers 65 and older their Social Security benefits no matter what they earn. Experience, stability and our work ethic make those of us 50 and older much in demand. According to John S. Morgan, author of "Getting a Job After 50," insurance company data shows that older workers use less sick leave on average than younger workers, are less likely to quit, and are not only as ambitious as younger workers, but tend to have more realistic goals. Could we look forward to a day when -- like the high level executives being recruited to dream jobs -- we are able to negotiate more favorable terms of employment: a greater choice in projects; more flexible hours; a reduction in travel; other perks? Not only are we statistically healthier than younger workers, we apparently have stamina to spare. Take a look at the slim margins in the New York Marathon between the winners in the youngest group, Robert Quinn, age 19, at 2:56:15, and the winner of the 65-69 group, Manuel Rosales, age 65, at 2:57:39. Similarly in the women's results, Anna Fyodorova, age 19, the leader in her group at 3:26:20, was beaten by Anna Thornhill, age 60, at 3:25:39. Things have changed in the perception of work and retirement as well. If you find yourself debating this point with anyone, direct them to our growing collection of True Stories of people who are rejecting concepts their parents held sacred: www.2young2retire.com/trueStories.html. Not only have these people "retired retirement," they are redefining what work is, what LIFE is, at 50, 60, and older. Experts are documenting this anecdotal evidence Big Time. In our last newsletter, we mentioned the recent study, "Second Wind: Workers, Retirement and Social Security", produced by Rutgers University's Heldrich Center for Workforce Development. According to the executive summary: "Most workers see their 'retirement' not as a time for leisure and travel, but as an opportunity to do fulfilling work, and find avocation in what they do." Last week, we attended a one-day conference called "Solving Labor Force Shortages: Looking to Mature Workers as Untapped Resources in a Full Employment Economy." The conference was sponsored by the New Jersey Foundation for Aging based in Trenton. Keynote speaker, Dr. Herb Greenberg, ceo of Caliper, Inc. which consults with organizations in hiring, developing and managing people more effectively, listed older workers as one of the key resources employers ignore at their peril. "Not tapping the older worker," he said, "is like walking over a gold mine without digging for the gold." We need to ask workers the right questions. Not "What have you done?," but, "What are your core strengths as they relate to what is needed for the job?" "Unretired" himself, Greenberg sees this "reservoir of untapped potential" as both a business opportunity and a societal good, and dismisses retirement as a recipe for boredom, illness and even premature death because people "have no purpose to keep them going." Senior Project Director for The Conference Board and former assistant dean at Harvard University, Dr. Cassandra Simmons, (the source for the New York Marathon data above) also covered statistics showing how 23 million workers will need to be replaced by 2003 in the U.S., while the gap between supply and demand will even be more severe in Europe, and will arrive sooner. Simmons called for an all out effort to restructure training and learning for the new "Ageless Workforce" of people reaching traditional retirement age on both sides of the Atlantic. Steve Wing, of CVS' Government programs, and Grady L. Prosser, Jr., a recruiter for AT&T, indicated that both corporations are committed to strategies that address the opportunities offered by the wealth of "ageless" workers. Both cited examples of capability and vitality among older workers, including a 76 year old who continued to work in the CVS Philadelphia loading dock and is in better shape than most 50 years olds. Green Thumb, Inc., a national non-profit known for training older workers, was also at the conference to announce the winner of this year's outstanding older worker from New Jersey. He is 82 year old J. Paul Hunsberger of Bridgeton, producer and host of Radio WSNJ's "Off the Cuff," "Meet Your Candidate," "Meet Your Minister," and "Music That Matters." Earlier this year, A&P (The Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company, Inc.) was clearly putting the welcome mat out for older employees by announcing its partnership with The National Council on Aging, based in Washington D.C. Other NCOA Corporate Partners for Workforce Development include CVS/Pharmacy, Mellon Financial, Gap Inc., AT&T, Exxon/Mobil, Ames Department Stores, and PNC Bank. In Asheville, the Center for Creative Retirement at the University of North Carolina has created an "unretirement" program that helps participants survey their experience, skills and strengths to plan for another job. The eight-week program which started this fall has 10 participants. Says Ron Manheimer, director, North Carolina Center for Creative Retirement, of the new program: "Our bet is that a window of opportunity has opened and that seasoned, skilled, mature workers who want to do so will find far better chances than ever for pursing that second career, for turning an avocation into a vocation, for telecommuting (working from home or an office at a distance from the company headquarters via e-mail and the Internet), for consulting and self-employment, and for part-time and project-oriented jobs of three, six or nine months in duration." For more, visit the UNCA Unretirement Option website: http://rocky.unca.edu/ncccr/Un-Retirement/default.html. For the full Philadelphia Inquirer story: http://web.philly.com/content/inquirer/2000/11/13/business/CREATE13.htm POTPOURRI * Frugal holiday shoppers, if you are looking for unusual gifts -- mostly under $20 -- from around the U.S. and the world made by community artisans, check out the website of SERRV, a 50-year-old nonprofit committed to practices that respect people, their communities, environments and cultures. www.serrv.org or 1-800-422-5915. And if you prefer to give/get a gift of service, check out www.seva.org. Seva is the sanscrit word for service. This nonprofit group of doctors, activists and entertainers are doing good in the developing world. 1-800-223-7382. (Thanks to A Real Life, 245 Eighth Avenue, PMB 400, New York, NY 10011, for the information.) * Speaking of respect for other cultures, our friend and British television producer/writer, Guy Slater, is soon off to Pakistan to do a pilot for local television of family-friendly programming that will offer an alternative to American and other imports. The program is UN-sponsored. We'll keep you posted about this exciting and necessary project. Guy is another 2young2retire "renaissance" person we're proud to know. * Looking for a volunteer opportunity? Here's a website to check out: http://www.idealist.org We reprint their mission statement: "Action Without Borders is a nonprofit organization that * Our friend, Carole Berger, sent us this story as a form of "paying it forward" after we recommended the new Helen Hunt/Kevin Spacey/Haley Joel Osment film. His name was Fleming, and he was a poor Scottish farmer. One day, while trying to make a living for his family, he heard a cry for help coming from a nearby bog. He dropped his tools and ran to the bog. There, mired to his waist in black muck, was a terrified boy, screaming and struggling to free himself. Farmer Fleming saved the lad from what could have been a slow and terrifying death. The next day, a fancy carriage pulled up to the Scotsman's sparse surroundings. An elegantly dressed nobleman stepped out and introduced himself as the father of the boy Farmer Fleming had saved. "I want to repay you," said the nobleman. "You saved my son's life." "Is that your son?" the nobleman asked. "Yes," the farmer replied proudly. "I'll make you a deal. Let me provide him with the level of education my son will enjoy. If the lad is anything like his father, he'll no doubt to be a man we both will be proud of." Farmer Fleming's son attended the very best schools and in time, he graduated from St. Mary's Hospital Medical School in London, and went on become known throughout the world as the noted Sir Alexander Fleming, the discoverer of Penicillin. Years afterward, the same nobleman's son who was saved from the bog was stricken with pneumonia. What saved his life this time? Penicillin! The name of the nobleman? Lord Randolph Churchill. His son's name? Sir Winston Churchill. Someone once said: What goes around comes around. Work like you don't need the money. Love like you've never been hurt. Dance like nobody's watching. * We get Eve's Angel Award. Thanks Neat Women Inc. and Caryl Frawley. http://www.neatwomeninc.com/followeve.html * Seriously funny. Look for Frank Kaiser's Suddenly Senior column at http://www.suddenlysenior.com or in 16 other publications from Key Largo, Florida to Vancouver, Washington. * From our visitors: Congratulations! A great site; full of enthusiasm and refreshing ideas. (I've already rubbed-out the word "retiree" from my CV). As a New Zealander, I applaud your reference to NZ's Rob Waddell, quoting his world indoor sculling record. He is also current (outdoor) world and olympic champions! Saw an article about you and your website...fantastic!! Several years ago I dreamed about a cable TV channel...an AARP channel....just for us in the "renaissance" of our lives....a talk show would be wonderful discussing topics for this special change...now at least I will have your website to visit!! We will "retire" from our jobs in 4 years; plan to build a log home in northern MN on the land my mom and dad built our cabin 40 years ago and start all over again....can't wait....we are fortunate to be able to spend most of the summer there these past few years....a place where I truly have found my spirit. JI, zip 54467 I stopped by 2young2retire and thought it looked great. Nice and clean and easy to navigate. I read the story about the professor. The concept of "heart storming" is great. I've added a link to you from my links page. I just found your site, it was mentioned in today's newspaper. I wanted to enter your contest but now see that it's closed. My choice for a new name would have been--refreshed. I think we've all been freshened up with our new lifestyles. B & TC, zip 02338 EJW, zip 02301-5866 A better description of leaving the working world would be "transition." EE, zip 55057-2954 Hey there...I just wanted to tell you I admire your goals and "get up and go" with this web site!! All my life, I studied the arts, either fine arts, graphics or performing arts, actually doing these at various points in my life. I also loved history, especially native American studies. I was never really content, however, because I caved into the "corporate world." Finally two months ago, after my divorce was final, I decided enough was enough. I quit my job, I have returned to school and I will be studying cultural anthropology and history and I hope to begin to combine all my loves in some way, working with the American Indians of New York State. After my degree, I want to move away from NYC and live near the Mohawk Valley, so I can finally be where I feel I belong. I know it will be a tough journey, but it is making me feel like there is a life after 50. I may even be lucky enough to live this life for 50 years. I think the thing that most interests me about retirement is: Can you be retired and do some serious good in the world? Most of my retired friends are rather dull. Even the ones who had interesting and challenging careers seem to have slipped into lives of golf, travel, and grandchildren. Because there's no necessity to work, they seem to have no edge. The retirees I'm interested in are the ones who are willing to endure tension and discomfort, even though they don't have to, for the sake of higher goals. Helping the poor. Lobbying for campaign finance reform. Taking in foster children. Helping fix up urban schools. That kind of thing. But I don't know anyone like that. Do you? Brian, zip 89411 What a great idea; saw the writeup about the site in THE ARIZONA REPUBLIC. We are winter visitors to Yuma, Arizona, from Olean, New York, southwest of Buffalo, New York. I will share your site with family and friends. I write a weekly food column; send in any ideas! [We] are both "retired" teachers. Wondered how the idea: "Celebration Years" would flow with your "too young to retire" readers? Good luck with this great site! The verb to retire in Spanish is "jubilar" which is a cognate for jubilant ("feeling or expressing great joy" according to the American Heritage Dictionary). Seems like a much better choice of words than "retire". I just visited your "new" website and found your 2Y2R logo great! Jumping for Joy! I know the Site is still evolving and I am sure that your efforts will result in an even more delightful place to visit, and refer many of my friends to. I loved the latest newsletter and your referral to the many websites. Thanks again. LB I retired from my company after 28 years in 1996 but I stayed on part time as a consultant. In addition, I have some multifamily property that I manage also. These two jobs occupy about two hours a day and provide me with needed mental and physical stimulation. The interaction with my customers and tenants serve to keep me alert and sharp. Also, the extra money is great for all-family vacations (our grown kids and the grandchildren) and yearly birthday, and Christmas gifts as well. But I'll tell you, if my wife had not convinced me to do this, I would have missed out on this great opportunity to be "2 young 2 retire"..... SW, zip 91423 I like the word "transition." Whenever anyone asks me what I'm doing, I say, "I'm in transition." And I feel I will be transitioning for the rest of my life. I like that. SB Your new graphics look great--you're on the right track for sure. Also liked your description of working together from home and your tips for maintaining your work, your perspective, and your marriage! Read your story in the local paper about the new word for retirement. Realize you've selected winners; however, I've often thought the word could really be changed just a little to "Respire" meaning to breathe freely again. It really fits don't you think. It is so close it could easily be used instead of. Great job what you're doing, keep it up. I'm only in my 40's but have respired, but daughter in grown, I've closed my business, I now do volunteer work, and following my passion - I teach cooking at a culinary school, besides that we travel - it's a great life, am so glad I'm here. RLR, zip 95688 I think the new logo is a huge enhancement, upbeat, "fun" and sends the theme of the title quite well. On top of all that......I love the technology driven rendition of "stick people" !!!!! :-) Take Care and keep up the "great" work !!!!! p.s. Absolutely great perspective on the "back to back" home computer JY Another word for the retire retirement pool: "commencement." Anonymous, zip10040 Thanks to all of you who are still sending in your thoughtful replacement words with no chance of winning the Retire the R Word contest which ended September 15. As long as you don't demand a recount....
Marika and Howard Stone Home | How They Do It
Copyright 2008 2Young2Retire.com, All Rights Reserved |
|||
