At what age do you think people should retire from work?

retirement age, retirement period, retired age - Retirement age varies but all fall to one category being old and it mean already reach a saturation period where on need no to work.
Philippines
April 25, 2010 1:08pm CST
Retirement period in my country is mandatory at the age of 60 years or more but not beyond 65 years old or even lesser depending on the occupation, say less than 56 years old. It may be mandatory as set by law or may expand beyond the extension period as compulsory. For me that is still a raw age from retirement. However their is an instances when even if the worker still like to work. They could not do so as citing various reasons such as when they already reached the saturation point when their have health conditions problems, and other unforeseen events which one have no control such as accidents leading one debilitated, or resulting in bodily impairment. Whereas in other country, I think if I am not mistaken as long as the person is capable of working and still in god health and in his/her right frame of mind. She/he could still be employed and receive the same benefits as the younger one gain. Their may be a lot of advantages and disadvantages in retirement. Such as if one retires earlier this could gives them an opportunity spend more quality time with family and bond with their grandchildren. While if the retirement is exactly at the mandatory age it could be too late for the retirees to enjoy the most of his/her life since they only have a short time period to stay and it may be too late to experience the after luxury of retirement. When their is an option to retire young, Why not? How about you, What do you think are the right age to retire? 4-25-10 13:08
8 people like this
30 responses
• Philippines
27 Apr 10
for me their is no right age or time for retirement anyone could retire earlier as long as they are happy especially when they already attain financial stability. they could do so as long as they have something to sustain and their is no need to work hard to reach the old age when they could retire earlier and taste the fruit of their labor. they should not wait to be old and feel old since they could no longer move or had fun if they are already feeble and senile.
1 person likes this
@piya84 (2581)
• India
26 Apr 10
Retirement age in government services is same here.In private it is little bit less.But not much difference .There is difference of hardly 2-3 years. Personally i feel every individual is different.You see some people are energetic in their 80 as well and some just start acting like a old man/women in their 40 only.I think we should just leave it up to people and let them decide at what age they should retire from service.
@sid556 (30960)
• United States
26 Apr 10
Hi neelianoscet, Where I live, I believe that the minimum retirement age is 63. Some companies allow early retirement of age 59 but the person will lose a certain amount of their retirement pay in doing so. As for forcing someone to retire at a certain age, well, I just think that is wrong. Some people are financially ready to retire at 63 while others are not. Some people are fit physically and mentally and really do want to work. Those people should be allowed to. We have an 80++ yr old woman working where I work. She doesn't move fast but she does a good and thorough job. She is absolutely amazing and all the customers love her. Financially, she doesn't NEED the job. I think she enjoys it and it gives her a sense of purpose. As long as they are capable of doing the job and they want to then it should be their choice whether or not to retire.
1 person likes this
@Hatley (163781)
• Garden Grove, California
25 Apr 10
neeliannoscet I feel the right age to retire is when you yourself wish to retire whether at 65 or 75 or 85, if you are healthy and happy and still productive why be forced out to pasture, I was forced out because the head librarian listened to the second in command who said fire her or I quit. since the head felt that I was one of her best workers she had a hard time doing this but told she had to let me go as I was almost 80 as if that were a terrible crime.Okay library headquarters also had all my work review which showed very favorable. the two top librarians were fired for firing me just because I was elderly. well sadly enough I had had a bad fall in the meantime, ended up having to have a shoulder joint replacement as the bones had been crumbled into little pieces. Needless to say I did not get back but just a little usage of my left arm. so I could not have shelved books again much as I would like tho have gone badk to work.For a great many of us neelianoscet retirement is not a lap of luxury, we would be much better off working at something. it is a horrible feeling to think oh I have outlived my usefulness. retirement should be at the time the person really wants to retire.
@Hatley (163781)
• Garden Grove, California
25 Apr 10
typo alert so I could not have shelved books again much as I would have liked to have gone back to work.
• Philippines
25 Apr 10
hi hatley, Very true and in my case if ever I reach that age that i still feel energetic both mentally and physically it is a good things to continue to work as long as the interest and desires is still visible. When necessary to be treated equal and not as a burden when one could still contributes then anyone should be allow to have their own job and never to be restrain to quit when they still longing to serve. I appreciate that based on your experience you are justified and receive merit to be recognized for the unfair dismissal that is is recognize in your country whereas in my place elderly are force to retire at the mandatory requirement whether they agree or disagree they have no choice but to follow the rules. I duly appreciate you too for being the good examples for your perseverance which unlikely absence to other people. Since you're a good examples whom anyone should emulate since and i understand the reasons because of what happen then you 're force to retire because of the accident. But still have a deep appreciation in your places since they have trust to elderly to work and age is not a barrier since at my place they are still young to retire at 65 where they could contributes more if given the chance and extend their privileges. thanks for your responses.
1 person likes this
@reckon21 (3479)
• Philippines
26 Apr 10
I think 65 year of age is the perfect age for retirement for every employee because it's not too old and not too young either to stop working. I believe that young workers should be given a chance to replace those aged workers so that they can rest and have a meaningful retirement. In the case that the person still wanted to work they can always do it by finding some work for seniors citizen I guess some sectors of our society has that kind of programs available for them. They can always volunteer for charitable causes or other community services so that their life wont be boring at all.
• India
25 Apr 10
Now people are working till the days they are capable of working. Days are gone whenyou think of retirement after 60 years of your life. People are working at the age of 70 as well. My current Prime minister and president are above 60 and still working.
• Philippines
2 May 10
hi ajaysinghbaghel, Very true especially in this times of recession even though some already reach their peak of retirement they still work to make all ends meet and help their family not wanting to be a burden even though some already receive pension they still like to work since if they are not working they feel more weak. thanks.
• India
2 May 10
I think we should work to our capability, it helps to be healthy if we are active.
@Lakota12 (42600)
• United States
9 May 10
I retired early had to to take care of hubby. and I was about 63 then but the real retirement age her is 66 and 1/2 years old and they want o put it to 70 . Now I am 70 I would still like to work but I have grand daughter to take care of while mommy works. Now am retired Iwould liek to travel again like we did wehn hubby worked still have some places I havent seen in the states lol but now I dont have the money to do that hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
@kykidd (6812)
• United States
25 Apr 10
I think that it just depends on affordability. If you can afford to retire and travel at a younger age, then it is a good idea. If you aren't able to live on a fixed income when it comes time to retire, then I don't blame people who continue to work and receive their pension at the same time so that they can enjoy a better lifestyle. I myself would at least like to be completely financially independent by the age of 45. I am sure that I will not be able to stop working, but I would like to be simply working for myself by that age. I find it very interesting that your country has a mandatory retirement age, and also that it is at such a young age. A number of people in our country continue to work after their retirement age, only because they cannot afford to pay all of their bills based on their retirement income alone. I am hoping that I will be better off and don't have to worry about working that far into retirement. I wish you luck, and hope that you will be able to retire at a young age, or at least the minimum and be able to enjoy your family, traveling, or whatever it may be that you would like to do. Good luck to you!
• Philippines
26 Apr 10
hi kykidd, Those law in my country requires mostly to those people who work in the government own offices and company and also in the private sectors. Usually it is the age for the right retirement or it may also be earlier than the specify age when they already finish their contract to serve say 10 or 20 years they are automatically qualify to get their retirement benefits at an earlier ages. While the other sectors who never belong to the government still work as long as they need to earn and their is no restriction to that and the person involve could either retire or wok as he desire when he already earn enough to retire. that is also my plan and i do not like to the idea of retiring at an old age since it is already too late for me to retire and just like you at 45 years old that is a good ideal age for retirement when you already achieve what you want in your life. thanks.
1 person likes this
• United States
25 Apr 10
I think the right age is up to the person and how they are physically and mentally.I don't know that there is a perfect age to really retire. Cost of living keeps going up, cost of meds, cost of Dr visits ect. who can really afford to retire? Plus they say Social Security here in the US s going broke w/ all the babyboomers and everyone living longer. But you know too I've heard of several instances where folks retire & then they become ill or just pass on within a few years of retirement. I know my FIL got sick w/ Cancer a lil over a year after he retired. Others have said the same thing... I know I thrive on structure not minute by minute but having somewhere to be daily KWIM? I look forward to going to work even if only a few days a week and taking the kids to school.
• Philippines
26 Apr 10
hi 3snugglebunnies, The retirement age in my country is set by law but you are right the way to retire should fall under the discretion of the person when he feel it is the right time especially when he already gain financially and emotionally stable so that he could find more quality time to spend with his loved ones rather than working all the time waiting for his retirement period in which in other situation. Those workers may reach the time period allocated while others are force to retire young when they are afflicted with diseases or it is their own decision so the management whom one is working have no control over their employees who would like to retire young as long as they meeth the 10 years period of retirement as dictate by the law. yeah, to be able to taste the good things about retirement it does need to reach the exact period when it is already too late as much as possible the earlier retirement the better as long as one status is put on good side then it is alright. So to avoid happening the same sad happening then it is only good to retire earlier to have more fun in life than to retire to old to enjoy all things around which is quite late already. thanks.
1 person likes this
@ybong007 (6643)
• Philippines
26 Apr 10
60 is already too old. For me the ideal retirement age is around 40 or 45 years old. This way you can still enjoy life.
• Philippines
2 May 10
hi ybong, Yeah, that is also my own understanding it is quite too late to retired and enjoy the rest of the world if the retirement is set on those age bracket. The younger one to retire the better as long as one already attain financial stability in his life.
• Philippines
7 May 10
I think a person has to work till he can, you see work is a therapy also, if a person stop working he gets depressed more because he does not have something to be busy of. Maybe he should choose the type of job that would suit his physical and mental capability. Working also will prevent forgetfulness because he continues to use his brain while doing his work.
25 Apr 10
While I think there should be a minimum age in place I do think that a person should be able to chose to carry on working if they are fit enough and want to do so. My father in law retired recently, and while he was glad of it he is now in a position where he feels quite lonely becuase he misses working and the friendships he developed at work.
• Philippines
25 Apr 10
hi beautyfactor, That very true some are really excited to retire earlier while others seem not satisfy after they realize they are still fit and miss the everyday routine of working where they feel more responsible to take care of other need related to their call of duties. while others are simply could not wait the retirement period since they felt it would be useless when one could not fully enjoy when all the bodies is aching even if their is retirement pension it would be too late to receive all the benefits so that is the drawn period where most retirees think that their retirement period need to be set more earlier. sometimes depending to on the capability of their body and in health situation where they are not felt limited in their work function they could serve as long as they feel physically and emotionally fit. thanks for your responses.
1 person likes this
@caliya (1170)
• Philippines
30 Apr 10
If I could then I would really love to retire when I am 30. That's going to be five years from now. Once I retire I would like to manage my own business and be my own boss and I would also like to create jobs for other people. I admit being an employee is tough specially when your job is very demanding so I would rather work at my own pace and I hope that I can make it happen.
• Australia
25 Apr 10
The retiring age in my country is 65; however, this is not mandatory and people are entitled to continue working if they want to. I think that this is how it should be, as many people have worked hard all their lives and know nothing else. Forcing them into a position where they suddenly have nothing to do can break their spirit; and, sadly, I have known people - including my father - who pass away shortly thereafter.
• Philippines
2 May 10
hi holesworth, Well, it the same with me but on the contrary for me that is already an old age and the retirement should begin on the year the person feel to retire or to lay low for work when he already have enough saving or establish his own business. that is a good time to retired since if the age is set on that certain age. It is not a guarantee the few remaining years would be full of happiness since it may be the year all kinds of illnesses may exist so the guarantee of happy retirement is not assure. the younger to retire the better one could experience life and be fruitful having to spend quality time with the family is the most important. In the case of your father, some people are really like that when they are time to retire they felt worthless or hopeless as they think they are no longer vital parts of the society so they get those sentiments which could lead to depression. it maybe good things to let the person to decide what age he like to retire and should be compulsory. thanks.
@kun2349 (23381)
• Singapore
27 Apr 10
In the past, the age for retirement over here, is 55years and not older than 60.. BUt now, due to the growing aging population, and money concerns, the retirement age had been extended to 60 for now, and it might extend to 65 again in the next few years.. haha =D However that's all set by the government though.. BUt if one feels that they are ready, and have the means to retire, enjoy life, then by all means.. After all, what's the point of working and working, when one does not have the time to enjoy at all, till we are old?? hehe
@dawnald (85135)
• Shingle Springs, California
27 Apr 10
I think people should be allowed to retire in their late 50's or early 60's, but nobody should be forced to retire if they don't want to and if they are still capable of working.
@neildc (17239)
• Lapu-Lapu City, Philippines
28 Apr 10
65 years old is the usual retirement age in our country. but there are some who retires early, when they already reached the number of minimum years in the service. i would prefer to retire as early as 50.
@bellis716 (4799)
• United States
28 Apr 10
In the U.S., there is no federal mandatory retirement age, although an individual company might set a mandatory retirement age for that company. Many retire at age 62, the earliest that one can draw Social Security. They do not get full benefits if they start drawing them at that age, though. It depends on one's date of birth when they can draw full benefits. I retired at age 65 1/2 because the company was moving the office where I worked and I would have had to drive farther than the 25 miles I was already driving each way. This proved to be the ideal time for me to retire, as within 6 months, I was diagnosed with MS, a disease for which there is no cure.
• Philippines
27 Apr 10
sixty years old in government. Sixty years old is enough to render government service. You should not resign until you wont reached the age of sixty why? because once you retire at early age it's not called retirement it's a resign and there's no benefits you will gain if there is only small amount you will received. Unlike if you will resign at the right age like sixty years old then you are entitled with much benefits.
• Philippines
27 Apr 10
anyone could retire earlier r lately whatever they think makes them comfortable as long as they already meet their needs r sustain their well being then the earlier the better.