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Erik Richardson

Teacher, Richardson Ideaworks, Inc.

TEDCRED 500+
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How will you spend your time and/or make a living between ages 60 and 100?

As improved medicine and machinery continue to expand our lifespans in the developed world, the current model in which we work until age 65 +/- and then "retire" seems sadly outdated. New questions begin to arise, though, when we reflect on how we will each make a living and how we will make a life. I am excited to see what kind of ideas you all come up with.

One particular question related to the model is this: if someone goes back to school to re-tool for a whole new career at, say, 50, will they get hired into career-track positions where they could work for 20 years?

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Topics: Retirement aging career development future transhumanism
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  • Roberto Oliveira

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    Jul 24 2012: Amazing thoughts I read here today. I am 62 and retired, but trying to find something to do. Something to transform my life. I am brazilian and my English is not so fluent like yours, but it is nice to be here sharing experiences.
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    neil cheney

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    Jul 24 2012: In answer to your question, it is probably unlikely that someone would get rehired into a fast track position because such an individual would currently be in a minority. It would require a massive change of opinion amongst employers in order to provide such people with the necessary opportunities. It is more likely that such a person would succeed by forming their own business and then hiring similar individuals.
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    Kate Blake 50+

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    Jul 23 2012: Good topic Erik!

    Great comments below but may I please, please ask everyone who even thought about this topic to make sure they do those things on their wish list very soon. Death is only a breath away and we shouldn't wait ... act now and enjoy your life more fully!

    My great aunt went to learn Italian at 76 as she expected her migrant neighbours to learn English she thought she should reciprocate the favour. She died just before her 99th birthday a very well loved 'aunt' to many because she never complained about her aging process; did cryptic crosswords till the day before she died; and took an active interest in everyone and everything! We love and miss her but enjoy those special memories.

    I 'retired' from mainstream life more than eight years ago to indulge my 'dream'. The intention had been to try it full-time, had done part-time for 20 years, for a few years. It blossomed and this is now my life - living off life savings with no govt. hand-outs is possible if one is careful.

    Don't wait, try it now!

  • Juanjo Simon

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    Jul 23 2012: In the third age, I would like to study, to write books, to do some gardening, to practice Tai Chi, to have long conversations with friends and with my family, to walk at least an hour a day and of course, enjoy with the kids around me.
    That was my ideal future, without pains or any kind of mental or phyisical problem which could stop me from doing what I want. As somebody have asked before, what happens if I can't do those things?Well, then I will go with my B plan: Since I like the pharmacology, I will study about it and I will try to be supplied with as many drugs as I aill be able to, and I will take codeine or opium (as our ancestors used to do) until the end of my life, so at least I will not disturb to my family.
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    Tatjana Jevdjic 200+

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    Jul 23 2012: I shall be wiser, wasting less my precious time. That's crucial.
    I think going to school is also appropriate, grey cells are practicing.
    That's healthy.
    So, don't worry, be happy:)))
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    Emma Binte

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    Jul 23 2012: I want to feel like I am more in a place of life where I feel that I can "be" instead of "do". I believe that the first years of your life is more about doing than being. You have to explore the world and meet a lot of different people and try out your boundaries by doing new, sometimes crazy stuff. But when you grow older it is all about "being", being you and being at peace with your life. Imagine just sit on a bench in the park a whole day and feel like everything is wonderful and you have everything you ever want. To be able to see all the colours around you all the time and all the great things in the little things. I want to be that person.

  • Dorian Chibuc

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    Jul 22 2012: One may see humanity future abundant of products humans need. Perhaps in very near future one's need of hunger, clothing, shelter, etc. will be satisfied by an robotic network available all around the globe and even some outer space.

    Even today more than 20% of people (USA followed by almost every country) are "unemployed". In other words the other part of humans using today's technology manage to produce enough goods and services for all. One may consider also the fact that not all those goods and services really satisfy needs - some of them are based on "wants". Also may consider people who just wait for the end of the month doing noting productive to get paid (not because they want to - but because this is the "job"). Productive part (even today) in the most cases - looks to be done by machines.

    One of the versions of answer may be offered here can be that we will not have to retire in the world where no one has job. All we may do that time is to travel, learn directly in the field and create/invent/update new, open source solutions for humanity use. Monetary system perhaps will disappear since it's not needed anymore in abundant world. Anytime, anywhere on the planet we will be able to benefit from shelter, transportation, food...

    Tomorrow we may change our "job"/location every single day - and the only pay back we will benefit from may be that our ideas/results will get implemented in global technological solutions to serve humanity we are part of.

    In fact, looks pretty hard to guess what human may do in the future since environment changes so fast that tomorrow may look completely an alien world for today's humans."
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      Erik Richardson 500+

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      TEDx Organizer
      Jul 23 2012: I like your ideas, Dorian. Unfortunately, there will always be people who try to artificially restrict the supply in order to profit. Leisure time and technology are (and will continue to be) no different than diamonds in that respect. Look at businesses today. They could EASILY give their employees more vacation time - but then the company that gave more vacation time might fall behind the profit level of the ocmpany that didn't (let's set aside worker morale - that's a whole separate discussion). That means the people at the top don't make as fat a profit this quarter, and the ripples of oppression spread from there . . .

      Thinking of a solution path for that, though, opens up the door to some really interesting possibilities.

      • Dorian Chibuc

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        Jul 23 2012: 100 years ago the majority of humans on Earth would tell you with certainty: "humans will never fly - and it will be always this way".

  • Manikanta Sai T

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    Jul 22 2012: i would do painting and sketches all the time and then spend my time with kids and enjoy each and every moment with people who are around me and make them and myself happy....so this is the ultimate thing !!!
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    mounika pothineni

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    Jul 22 2012: i would do pottery, clay modelling, origami..teach the small kids enjoy the nature in the last days of my life..!!

  • Marten Koops

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    Jul 22 2012: Interesting conversation. At 70 I've just unretired for the 5th time because people keep asking for help in their gardens. I beautify people's properties and try to make them functional. Its very hard heavy work but extremely satisfying. ( half days are enough now. ) The aim is to activate people's senses where they live via sniffing many wonderful fragrances, the last sense to go, creating a palette of color for the entire year, bringing sounds like running water or rustling leaves, touching the various textures of plants such as brushing along tall grasses, tasting the herbs and fruits or vegetables which can be an integral part of a garden.
    I suppose this isn't going to last forever for my body is already objecting. However, the joy of gardening will never leave and the ability to inspire others to create a beautiful environment where they live has to be my life's work. Teaching them to see the opportunities that surround them by opening their senses is an incredible rush.
    The bonus is that I get paid for this work, which allows us to travel for a month every year.
    Enjoy life while you can.
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      Tanka Poudel

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      Jul 22 2012: hats off to you sir your words are truly inspiring
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      Fritzie Reisner 100+

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      Jul 22 2012: What a beautiful continuing contribution!
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      Kate Blake 50+

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      Jul 23 2012: Totally agree with Fritzie - awesome work, well done!
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    Kent Spencer 10+

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    Jul 22 2012: Crying
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    Johnson Tam-Lit

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    Jul 21 2012: Retirement now has to be re-imagined. In fact I suspect it will disappear from the vocabulary of many people. not least because of economic necessity but because of the ideas attached to the word. Maybe there will be third age entrepreneurs that create opportunities for others. Passive income for a lot is not feasible, because for the majority of us planning is often limited to the next week never mind the next 10-20 years.
    I suspect communities will rise up again with fresh fervour based around passion and the image of a mature in years person will change from a sedate rocking chair to one of either mental or physical activity still able and willing to participate fully in life.
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    Tanka Poudel

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    Jul 21 2012: IN MY VIEW:
    The question leaves several things in speculation such as the health condition of the person in that age, the type of work he gets into prior to this age. The reason I inquire about them is I have personally seen people of 80 running a shop or working in gardens or even running a big enterprise. If given health is maintained along with age then people will never sit ideal they will find something to do except for tasks which involved extreme physical stress. If the question asks my personal answer I will be more expressive and participatory in forum and lots of other places where I can speak my mind.
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    Tony Dunne

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    Jul 20 2012: The traditional business model and retirement funds are under fire.

    We continually hear stories of people who have given their life to a company and are discarded once it suits the company.

    Global financial institutions are continuing to fail, recent headlines from USA today were "Largest Public Pension Fund Earns Dismal 1%. Search for that headline, scary reading.

    The answer? Passive income, as defined in Wikipedia: "Passive income is an income received on a regular basis, with little effort required to maintain it".

    My mission in life is to help as many people understand this and create their own passive income, its not as difficult as many people think. The trouble is we have been told for generations to work hard for 40 years and save for retirement. What we should have done is work for much less than that at building an ongoing passive income stream.

  • Hilal Halil

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    Jul 20 2012: If i can live 60 years, i will probably want to be the primeminister. I want to impact the world. I want to make people meet with honour, freedom, democracy, justice, and needs like them. I want to improve the education, want to make people think, teach them philosophy, and teach them how to start running their mind and heart, not only the words. I want people to know the history and their language well. I want to teach them how to use foreign languages as vehicles (not the aim). I'm from Turkey, i want to improve my country. I love it, and have already dedicated my life to it. I want to improve and clean Turkish language, too.
    Also I want to be a genetics engineer before that to produce natural food, and to stop generations' poisoning. Knowledges are improving, but the humanity isnt.
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    Stewart Davies

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    Jul 20 2012: Luckily for me I have a very good imagination and the skills to match. I can keep designing stuff (mostly graphics) to a ripe old age as long as my tinkerbox is still functioning.
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    Jon Miner

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    Jul 20 2012: I will teach people how to think clearly.
    I will speak and write when the opportunity arises.
    I will try to keep up my creative juices by making music.
    I will show by words and example that fear is the opposite of love, and that the course of our life is determined by how we apply love and fear in discovering the solutions of our life's problems.

  • Linda Sagare

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    Jul 19 2012: After planning for retirement, I reached my goals and retired at 62. The few years since retiring have been "enlightening". I discovered just how unhappily married I was. I hadn't married my soul mate after all. I'm now happily divorced with less money but more freedom and happiness. Since my divorce I decided to NOT make big decisions for about a year and give myself some time to figure out a NEW plan for the next few years. My career went from Programmer Analyst to Recruiter and Career Advisor to Retiree. I'm not looking for full time work and it is so important to me to do something that has meaning to me. So far I'm finding meaning in volunteer work but there's no income and I'm missing the extra money that would help me feel more secure about living to 95. I also miss the structure of a job. My challenge will be to keep what ever it is within part time hours so that I still have the luxury of accomplishing other personal goals.
    Starting something new is exciting. I'm open to many things I would have thought were not challenging enough before or didn't pay enough. I know a lot about transferable skills and how to sell myself into a position. Some of the TED contributors were right! For someone motivated, all you need is an opening and you can create and morph into other positions. Once you have that position and have proven you have it under control , ask for opportunities that will help you gain the skills and experience to take you where you want to go. I believe this and have seen it over and over. If opportunities are not given to the most willing and deserving, evaluate your contribution, find out what plans your company has for you and if nothing is imminent, either up your game or go shopping for another job. (do not quit until you have the next job). I have just about 6 months and one more Beach Vacation before I go find the start of my next (part time) career. It wasn't in the old plan but now it's a wonderful new adventure!!

  • Gerald Myroup

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    Jul 19 2012: I plan on moving into the Rock Till Ya Drop ... a community for musicians, artist of all types and everyone else who simply loves live music and the arts. While just a concept now, we plan to design and build this community as a grassroots, cooperative project.

    Our mission is to provide very affordable housing (purchased or rented) to musicians and artist who have given so much to us for the last 40 or 50 years yet do not have the financial resources necessary to retire in a decent way. Unless you have made it big somewhere along the way, most musicians and artist don't have a pension or 401K to retire on (think starving artist?)

    We plan to build this community of 1000+ residents around a town square anchored with a multi-purpose performance venue and surrounded by restaurants, bars, shops and studios. Additionally, we plan on having several 'garages' specifically designed for folks to jam or just hang out with the types of people we really would like to hang with.

    Like I said it's just a concept now but we are looking for others thoughts and ideas... got any?

  • David Gorniak

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    Jul 18 2012: At that age i would hope to have stopped working for "the man".

  • Janice Taylor

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    Jul 16 2012: I would write, do more walking, join a band as a backing singer and work as a 'lollipop' lady. As long as I was physically well, I would have no problem fililing my time.

    • Gerald Myroup

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      Jul 19 2012: Janice, you would really fit in at the Rock Till Ya Drop... a community for musicians, artist of all types and everyone else who simply loves live music and the arts. While just a concept now, we plan to design and build this community as a grassroots, cooperative project.

      Our mission is to provide very affordable housing (purchased or rented) to musicians and artist who have given so much to us for the last 40 or 50 years yet do not have the financial resources necessary to retire in a decent way. Unless you have made it big somewhere along the way, most musicians and artist didn't have a pension or 401K to retire on (think starving artist?)

      We plan to build this community of 1000+ residents around a town square anchored with a multi-purpose performance venue and surrounded by restaurants, bars, shops and studios. Additionally, we plan on having several 'garages' specifically designed for folks to jam or just hang out with the types of people we really would like to hang with.

      Like I said it's just a concept now but we are looking for others thoughts and ideas... got any?
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    Bharath Kumar Kunjibettu 10+

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    Jul 16 2012: It is said that a new chapter in your life starts after you turn 60 .... So nobody loses anything when one turns 60 or above... We must try to be cheerful to the maximum having least amount of expectation from our younger generation ..We must again be like a child ...
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      Debra Smith 200+

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      Jul 16 2012: When i was young most of us had a copy of something called the "
      Dessiderata" posted in our homes. One line now applies here" Surrender gracefully the things of youth" or something like that. Each season has its beauty and its charms. Embracing those of older age takes courage.
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        Bharath Kumar Kunjibettu 10+

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        Jul 16 2012: Nice insight Debra , but one thing I would also like to add is no matter how old our body grows ... Our mind is going to remain young through out ....

  • Denise McArdle

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    Jul 16 2012: I'm researching aquaponics and geodeisic with the hope to first provide food for my family, then later look to it for marketable organic produce and later possibly open a weekend restaurant with food from the garden/tanks. It's hard for a fifty-something retired secretary to find a place in this work force -- so often, the cost of working is more than the job actually pays. When I look at our largest expense, it is our groceries. So, it seems a sensible place to start.

    I'm also fascinated by Paul Stamets development of mushrooms to save the world. By using a dome garden system and developing worm beds and mushroom beds, the food from the soil that's built should provide the best immune systems for us, and the system provides the best use of irrigation to grow plants -- fish fertilize the water, plants, clean the water, water that is evaporated falls into the soil beds and solid wastes feed the worm bed who break down the extra plants and leaves. Seems like a win/win solution.
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    Iris Antongiorgi

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    Jul 15 2012: I spend my time in my blog , you tube, studying everything about lesson in the internet and education site in art and all about education . Taking photo of my country, including historical site ,monument , landscape, panoramic site, to insert into video with the music of our country singer and composer .Go to different kind of conference about history ,art, music and other theme related to my country
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    Don Wesley 50+

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    Jul 15 2012: Hi Erik.
    My work, is fighting the Criminals of Elder Abuse, who use the power of the courts to do their evil work.
    There is an income, and it is paid for in Heaven.
    Don [From the Silent Generation]

  • Kay Walker

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    Jul 15 2012: To Robert & the others who want me to take the checkout operator position in spite of my fears that I will top myself after the first day- I just can't do it. I don't depend on money/job/career purely for survival. I have a partner with a job who can just manage to pay for our food, mortgage & utilities. I need something that will occupy my overactive mind & also stop me from feeling trapped by being financially dependent on another human being. I deliberately never married because the thought of being legally bound to someone else's income repulsed me in the extreme. Now the law has changed so that I am legally required to depend on a partner or live on the streets. To Teja: thank you for some creativity in your reply! I must try again to meditate/be mindful and believe more in continuity. Perhaps I could teach others about the experiences of ageing, although that is theoretically a university subject in psychology that is over-populated with academics! I might offer something more on what young people might do while young to avoid my current predicament! However, I think part of it will be overcoming the handicaps of upbringing before trying to make a definite choice of job or profession.

  • Florian Blum

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    Jul 12 2012: Right now I´m working on stemcell-aging, but from october I switch to experimental cancer study. I´m responsible for all the things related to Flow Cytometry that happen in our lab. If you are interested in papers:
    http://www.uni-ulm.de/einrichtungen/instmolmed/referenzen.html
    Sadly I´m the author of none of them because I´m only a technician, but you can find me in the group Rudolph part of the website.

    I wonder, don´t you have something like a retirement pension in U.S.? Or can you only get it by signing up for a insurance kind of thing?
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      Debra Smith 200+

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      Jul 12 2012: Fascinating. Good luck with your research, Florian. I cannot answer your question as I am a Canadian.
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      Erik Richardson 500+

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      Jul 13 2012: I am guessing you mean something besides our token social security system and our medicare program. The existence of pensions varies widely from one company to the next with fewer and fewer offering them at all.

  • Florian Blum

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    Jul 12 2012: Since I´m working in research, I will most likely teach students and kids after I retire. Here in Germany we still get some money after we retire as a retirement pension, so for me it should be no Problem to do what I want to do.

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      Erik Richardson 500+

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      TEDx Organizer
      Jul 11 2012: It's "mostly" retired. They often still teach a class here and there, but it is no longer a full salary - hence, not enough to provide a living. Fewer and fewer of the positions include a benefits package.

      • N SHR

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        Jul 11 2012: I see. I believe making a living is not a problem for the senior researchers I see around me, because their good research and knowledge through the year has brought them a diverse set of income sources.. Anyway, I believe that if you do *really well* in what you *love*, money comes along anyway and it shouldn't be the focus!
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