I've seen retirement make people unhappy. They become isolated and have to find ways to make connections with others. They are bored and start doing things like

I've seen retirement make people unhappy. They become isolated and have to find ways to make connections with others. They are bored and start doing things like canvassing the neighborhood looking for minor HMA violations. Sometimes the lack of schedule and structure isn't the best for the health. Sometimes they feel useless. Of course this isn't all cases but I've seen it. People generally want to feel important and connected and a job often provides that. The problem is, as a persons mind and body starts to wear down there is less they can actually contribute. People talk about wisdom and experience and there is something to be said for that, but the world is changing so much faster than conceptual models which makes "wisdom" worth less than traditionally it has been. Besides, people start forgetting. So who actually hires old people? Who can afford too? It's hard enough to find good work when you are young and able. I don't know what the point is. I guess I hope to actually never retire but to be able to do what I like at a pace I'm able until death. (With all the vacations I want of course). Even were I unfathomably wealthy I would want to live like this. Because sitting around doing nothing sucks. So does playing golf every day.