When retirement doesn’t work
Some people keep working because they need to; others find it difficult to slow down.
Getting on with the job
Not everyone has the wherewithal to even contemplate retirement in their early 60s.
And there are many Australian seniors who want, or need, to work beyond the national pension age of 67.
National Seniors Australia (NSA) recognises the need to retain older workers throughout the economy, and especially in the care sector, to meet workforce shortages.
We are also calling for employment income to be exempt from the income test for pensioners.
You can read more about our Let Pensioners Work campaign here.
James May, the popular former Top Gear and The Grand Tour presenter, recently admitted that his attempt at retirement has been anything but restful.
“I’ve failed at retirement,” he confessed, noting that 2025, his planned “trial retirement year”, has turned out to be his busiest in a decade.
With speaking engagements, two TV series, and a live tour across Australia, New Zealand, and the UK, May, 62, said he hadn’t had a day off in months.
His experience is far from unique. While retirement is often portrayed as a time for relaxation and leisure, many find it less fulfilling than expected.
For some, the absence of structure, purpose, and professional engagement can lead to restlessness or even a sense of loss. The transition from a busy career to a quiet retirement can be jarring – especially for those people whose identities are closely tied to their work.
Psychologists suggest that meaningful activity is crucial to well-being at any age. Work provides not just income, but also social interaction, mental stimulation, and a sense of achievement. Without these, retirees may feel adrift.
That’s why many, like May, return to work or take on new projects – not out of necessity, but out of passion and a desire to stay engaged.
In fact, “retirement” is increasingly being redefined. Rather than a full stop, it’s becoming a comma; a pause before a new chapter. Some retirees start businesses, volunteer, or pursue creative endeavors. Others, like May, continue in their field but on their own terms.
This shift reflects broader societal changes. With longer life expectancies and better health in later years, the traditional retirement age is no longer a hard boundary.
Many professionals now view retirement as a time to explore interests they previously didn’t have time for.
May’s experience is a reminder that retirement isn’t one-size-fits-all. For some, stepping away from work is liberating. For others, it’s a challenge – and that’s okay.
Whether it’s restoring classic cars, writing books, or flying planes to remote cafés- as May has done – what matters most is finding fulfillment, wherever it may lie.
