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Five Reasons to Work Throughout Maturity

My mature worker friends often ask me, "Why should I continue to work?" Truthfully, the reasons are so many that they won't fit here in this one post. So, I'll break it up into a few. Here's your first installment of compelling reasons to work throughout your maturity:

Reason #1: You are programmed to live longer, much longer, than your parents lived. The old rules when old was old (just like old benefits) no longer apply. In 1935 when Social Security benefits began, American men lived until 59 and women until 61. As you can see, few collected!  Today's numbers are 79 and 81.  A difference of 20 years is a very long time to sit on your duff.

Reason #2: You are likely to suffer from nasty withdrawal if you abruptly leave the world of work. A sudden change from full-time, demanding work to no work of any sort just may be your very worst option.

Reason #3: You may discover new and very bad habits if you don't work. Forecasts report that the numbers of older adults affected by substance abuse are soaring.  Available studies suggest that substance dependency of abusing adults over 50 will increase from 1.7 million folks to 4.4 million by 2020.  Some reports indicate that baby boomers have three to four times the rate of emotional disorders (depression, suicide, anxiety, as well as alcohol and drug abuse) than is found in today's elderly population (Koenig, George, & Schneider, 1994).  Do you think depression gets better the longer you sit around doing nothing? 

Reason #4: You may simply wish to perform a "death defying act" by working longer. People who work longer also live longer and live healthier. Google the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) for all the supporting evidence you will ever need.

Reason #5: You may need a good reason to get out of the house.  Does your spouse really want you at home around the clock? Will 24/7 prove to be the death of a good marriage?  Do you enjoy cleaning the garage?  And, how important is a continued sense of responsibility and structure in a lifetime when both were once central to every day?

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