Retirement used to mean slowing down, but today more and more people are staying engaged in meaningful work beyond 65. Not only does continuing to work provide financial stability, but it also supports physical health, mental sharpness, and a stronger sense of purpose. This article presents five compelling reasons why working in retirement may be one of the best decisions you can make.

The first reason is a little different from what you typically read about. The way I see it, travel is the number one reason to work beyond normal retirement aged.

People travel throughout the course of their lives for lots of different reasons. There are the all too familiar compulsory family visits. Luckily now my family is all relatively close by. When I was a kid we spent long hours driving halfway across the country to see our grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. As much as us kids loved those trips, no doubt they were hard on my parents. Keeping three kids happy in a car for days on end, with no electronics at all! That could not have been easy! But you did it because that’s what you do for family.

Travel is also done to entertain kids, especially in the summer. The week in Disney World (which I never did as a kid and for whatever reason take great pride in saying I never brought my kids either! I know loads of people think my approach is child abuse, but I just couldn’t bring myself to do it.), spending hours in family style restaurants with placemats you can color on, eating fried whatever, spending hours waiting in lines for rides (we loved Hersey Park!) that were over in 90 seconds,  trying to win that perfect stuffed animal on the boardwalk game, all done in the name of entertaining the little ones. It’s what you did on those trips!

As kids get older those trips turn into opportunities to motivate and inspire. Parents with teenagers find themselves in museums, sports arena, or churches very often in foreign lands, all meant to open the eyes of the teen to the possibilities life has to offer. These trips too aren’t easy on parents. They’re expense, require impeccable planning and all too often are met with ungrateful, whiny attitude from the kids who just want to go home because they miss their friends. My dad, a former seminarian, was so determined to show us every last church in every city we went. Rome is especially memorable. We’d walk and walk and walk until we had seen them all. Niente più chiese!! These were amazing trips but no doubt weren’t the most relaxing for my parents.

Work trips are fantastic. I’ve been blessed to have worked for several companies that afforded me the opportunity to see the world. I’ve met the most wonderful colleagues in so many cities, who showed me their culture, invited me into their homes and made me feel welcome. Just amazing. I wouldn’t trade these trips for anything. They weren’t always easy though. Lots of energy spent wondering if the presentation was going to go well, the pitch would be well received, or if the meeting were going to be productive. You have to be on when you’re tired, at the top of your game when you need a little down time and always be professional and courteous when maybe you’d rather not. Again, I wouldn’t trade them for anything.

Right now I’m spending a bit of time in Tuscany and have spent a lot of time watching people of retirement age who are seeing the world very differently from how they probably used to. They are traveling with friends, going places and doing things that they want, and seemingly loving every minute. I flew here in business class and was surrounded by a few couples traveling together for the first time in business. They were positively giddy! No stress, no pressure just loving life.

I’m here with family, many of whom are of retirement age but are working a bit too. They too are positively giddy. It’s so much fun to watch. They have the money to travel because they’ve continued working. They’re alive. They’re learning. They’re growing. They’re happy!!

So, work to travel!

Reason 2: Stay Physically Healthier Longer

A study published in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health followed 3,000 adults over 18 years and found that those who worked just one year longer past retirement age had a 9–11% lower risk of dying during the study period.

Work helps maintain day-to-day physical activity and keeps routines in place that reduce sedentary habits. Even part-time roles can help reduce risks of chronic conditions such as heart disease and diabetes.

For me, having to be somewhere or having a deadline to get something done is motivation enough to be organized the day before, to get a good night’s sleep, to get up early and charge into the day full steam ahead How great is it to get your heart pumping early in the morning! The health benefits are real!

Reason 3: Strengthen Your Financial Position

Working longer means you avoid dipping into your retirement savings early, letting investments continue to grow. People continuing to work can also contribute to their retirement savings with many taking advantage of company matching programs.

Delaying Social Security also increases benefits by about 8% each year until age 70, ensuring stronger lifetime payouts.

The cost of healthcare alone can be a motivator for continuing to work. Employer-sponsored health insurance is often available, enabling people to save thousands in healthcare costs before transitioning fully to Medicare.

Reason 4: Maintain Social Connections

Strong social ties are a proven determinant of health and longevity. A 2025 longitudinal study published in Innovation in Aging found that older adults with broader social networks had better health outcomes and lower rates of loneliness than those with smaller networks. Work environments naturally expand networks beyond family and close friends, offering engagement with people of different ages and backgrounds.

I have long held older people aren’t less tech savvy because they can’t understand technology but rather because they just aren’t exposed it. Some folks make it a priority to stay in the game but some, especially those who are only surrounded by their age group, are at a distinct disadvantage. It’s crucial to be around and engaged with the younger generations who are doing things differently. Listen to them (you don’t need to agree but you do need to listen!). Learn from them. Enjoy them!

Reason 5: Preserve a Sense of Purpose

A growing body of research shows that maintaining a strong sense of purpose is one of the most important factors in healthy aging. Purpose has been linked to lower mortality rates, slower cognitive decline, and higher overall life satisfaction. Large longitudinal studies and systematic reviews demonstrate that older adults with clear goals, meaningful roles, and a sense that they matter to others live longer and enjoy better physical and mental health than those who feel adrift. These benefits appear to extend across socioeconomic groups and reinforce the idea that purpose is a universal driver of resilience and longevity.

For many retirees, continuing to work in part time positions, on projects, or in advisory roles is a powerful way to sustain purpose. Work naturally provides structure, clear goals, opportunities for contribution, and recognition from others, all of which are key ingredients in fostering meaning. Far from being just an income source, post-retirement work helps preserve the sense of mattering that supports health and well-being. In this way, staying engaged in the workforce is not only an economic choice but also a proven strategy to thrive physically and emotionally well into later life.

Conclusion

Continuing to work past 65 isn’t just about a paycheck. It’s about living longer, healthier, and more fulfilled lives. From funding travel to maintaining purpose, the benefits are clear. The idea of a 30-year vacation is giving way to something better, an active, engaged, and meaningful later chapter of life.