Working for the rest of your life may sound unappealing, but many 100-year-olds around the globe say doing what they love and not retiring is what keeps them feeling youthful and fulfilled. In a popular book about longevity, “Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life,” the principle of ikigai is credited as one of the keys to longevity and well-being. Ikigai means the happiness of always being busy.
One of the rules of ikigai is to stay active and not retire, and many centenarians, especially those living in the world’s blue zones, never do.
We spoke to several centenarians over the past year and a half about what behaviors and traits they believe helped them to live a long and happy life. Here’s why they say finding meaningful work and not retiring played a major role.
Virginia Oliver, 104
Virginia Oliver, 104, has been catching lobsters since she was eight years old, and she really enjoys it. So much so that the centenarian signed up for lobster-catching season this year.
Oliver’s secret to living beyond age 100 boils down to: “You’ve gotta keep living, you gotta keep working. It’s not easy,” she said in a mini-documentary about her life.
When asked about her future plans for lobstering by TODAY.com, Oliver said, “I’m not going to retire,” adding, “I’m going to do this till I die.”
Deborah Szekely, 102
Deborah Szekely, a 102-year-old, started her fitness resort and spa alongside her then-husband in 1940. More than eight decades later, Szekely still works at her business three times a week.
“We have fabulous speakers every night. I meet with the presenters [every] Tuesday, so I know what my guests are talking about,” she told CNBC Make It in May.
“Wednesday, I speak. And Thursday, I meet individuals who I want to know, or friends. So I work three days a week: Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.”
Every week that she shows up at her spa, Szekely said, “it makes a change.”
“When nature says, ‘You got to stop Deborah.’ Deborah will stop, until then she’ll keep going,” she added.
Deborah Szekely, 102, co-founded one of the first wellness resorts in North America in 1940.
Source: Rancho La Puerta
Madeline Paldo, 100
Madeline Paldo was a recent retiree at age 100 when she spoke to Make It in September of 2023. Paldo worked between the ages of 18 and 99.
Working “kept me busy, and I enjoyed working,” she said. “Retirement, I don’t like too much.”
Paldo supported her family’s business based in Chicago where they produced electric signs, and she was responsible for office work which allowed her to interact with customers daily.
“I liked being with the public. I liked being with people,” she told CNBC Make It. “And I was the only one in the office that did all of the office work for our business, so it was enjoyable. I liked to go to work.”
Jayne Burns, 101
Jayne Burns, who was turning 101 in the month following her interview with CNBC Make It in 2023, still worked four days a week as a part-time fabric cutter at a crafts store.
“I enjoy what I do, so I want to keep doing it,” Burns told Make It. “I’ll work for as long as I can or as long as they’ll have me.”
She tried to retire several times over the years but would “unretire” within a few months, she said. Working at jobs that she enjoyed gave her a daily routine which she values and allowed her to interact with new people.
“Staying busy keeps you from focusing on your aches and pains,” she said. “It makes it easier to keep going.”
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Key Takeaways
- Many centenarians report that finding meaningful work and not retiring contributed to their long and happy lives.
- Virginia Oliver, 104, has been catching lobsters since she was eight years old and has no plans to retire. She believes staying active and engaged is key to longevity.
- Deborah Szekely, 102, co-founded a wellness resort and spa over 80 years ago and still works there three days a week. She believes staying engaged and making a difference keeps her going.
- Madeline Paldo recently retired at age 100 after working for 81 years. She finds enjoyment and purpose in staying busy and working.
- Jayne Burns, 101, works part-time as a fabric cutter at a crafts store. She says she finds joy in the work and it helps her stay active and positive.
The Benefits of Working in Your Later Years
These centenarians highlight the benefits of working in your later years, including:
- Purpose and Meaning: Finding a job that you enjoy gives you a sense of purpose and accomplishment, which can be especially important as you age.
- Socialization: Work provides opportunities to interact with others and maintain a social network.
- Mental Stimulation: Staying mentally active can help to maintain cognitive function and reduce the risk of age-related cognitive decline.
- Financial Independence: Continuing to work can provide financial security and allow you to maintain your lifestyle.
- Physical Activity: Many jobs require some physical activity, which can help to maintain your health and fitness.
The Ikigai and the Importance of Passions
The concept of ikigai ties directly to the centenarians’ experiences. While many traditional retirement models advocate for leisure time, the concept of ikigai suggests that finding joy and purpose in everyday activities, including work, can contribute to a longer, happier life. This principle emphasizes the importance of pursuing your passions and finding meaning in your activities, regardless of their “retirement” status.
Rethinking Retirement
The stories of these centenarians challenge the traditional notion of retirement and offer a new perspective on aging. They demonstrate that work can be a source of fulfillment, purpose, and longevity.
While some may argue that retirement is essential for rest and relaxation, these long-living individuals suggest that staying active and engaged can contribute to a longer, happier life.
For individuals seeking to live longer and healthier lives, adopting the principles of ikigai and finding purpose and joy in their work, even after the traditional retirement age, might be a key to a fulfilling and longer life.
