Why I Don't Plan On Retiring...

Have you ever encountered someone in your life, and you will never meet again?

I was in a medical waiting room, and an old man chatted with me.

He asked what I was doing.

"I take you for a student."

"Are you retired?"

"Yes. Word of advice: don't retire."

"I wasn't planning on it."

Too Common Occurrences

Having worked at my electronics retail job, it's too common for me to hear our elderly citizens having little money.

Of course, some more than others, no doubt.

Isn't the idea of retirement is that you're comfortably living 'til the end of your days? Not having to worry about the next bill or cost?

The Need For Superannuation

In Australia, it's mandatory that we have retirement account that our employers deposit contributions towards our nest egg.

It's unique that compared to another nation like The United States, it's LAW.

Introduced by the Hawke government to tackle the problem of Australians retiring with no money left in the bank.

Create less burden on the social security system if the citizens of the country can fund their own retirement.

Health Is Wealth

What's another way to mitigate the need for dependency?

Staying active: mentally and physically active.

Growing old, we do not want to be a burden to our families. I recall a family friend's grandfather saying that if it ever came down to it:

"Shoot me, and bury me in the backyard."

How do we mitigate such a future? By investing in our health, now.

Looking upon myself I have not taken put my health with great focus. I'd do the odd push up hear and there. And I thank I live in the same house as my mother who's health conscious of the food we eat.

Work To Work On

The problem is not work itself. It's finding the work that feels meaningful or contributes to something greater.

Part of my old job is interacting with elderly people. Retirement is a great lie. The pension is not enough to get by.

I think the greatest investment I can make for myself is setting up a life where the work I work on is ikigai. That idea of making money, helping people, meaningful etc...

Finding work to work on.

The Best Retirement Plan

Finding work that you continue to look forward until your dying day.

For what is work, if it's not in relation to helping others?