Should I Keep Working After Retirement?

One of the questions I get asked a lot by friends and old colleagues — especially those living far away or nearing retirement age — is:

“So… now that you’re retired, are you doing anything else to keep busy?”

To be honest, whether or not to keep working after retirement really depends on your personal situation — your health, your finances, your goals, and of course… whether you still feel passionate about your work.

Some people look forward to retirement, others quietly fear it

I’ve met people who couldn’t wait to retire — finally free from meetings, targets, and early alarms. But there are also people who fear retirement, especially when money becomes uncertain or when they feel like they’re being left behind.

Some people take on jobs after retirement just to pay the bills. Others simply can’t stop working because they’re still passionate about their field. And that’s okay too — each person has their own reasons.

A Korean friend and the “yearly contract stress”

I have a Korean friend I’ve known for over 20 years. He studied law in the U.S. and spent most of his career at H.Bank as an expert in international payments, guarantees, and handling cross-border disputes.

He officially retired a few years ago but was kept on contract in the same advisory role. The tricky part? His contract gets renewed yearly. And every year, when that contract nears its end, he gets stressed — not knowing whether it’ll be renewed or not.

I’ve told him more than once:

“If they renew, great. If not, even better. At 64, you’ve earned the right to live more slowly — spend time with your family, enjoy the things you missed during your career.”

Yesterday, he emailed to say he almost wrote a complaint about how stressed he was — but after thinking it over, he realized he was still more fortunate than many. He’s healthy, respected, and still trusted for his expertise. He admitted he was wrong to let contract stress take over his peace of mind.

My own story

I retired at 62, and honestly, I felt good about it.

By that age, I no longer had the energy or sharpness to work the way I did in my 40s and 50s. Meanwhile, workplace pressure just kept increasing. High KPIs, complex tasks, and constant decision-making — it was all getting heavier.

I received several offers after retirement — the roles were senior, the salaries attractive, and the schedules flexible. But I turned them down. I knew that once the passion fades and your stress tolerance drops, it’s hard to do a job well, no matter how “light” it sounds.

Also, I had prepared for retirement during my working years. My pension isn’t high, but I’d saved enough to live comfortably and support my family — so I didn’t need to keep working.

Now I still offer my services as a consultant in international payments and trade finance — for free, just like I used to when I first started decades ago. It brings me joy to feel a little helpful, without any pressure.

So… should you keep working after retirement?

It’s up to you. If you need the money, or if work still excites you, then go ahead.

But if you don’t have to — then consider letting retirement be what it’s meant to be: a time to rest, to reflect, and to enjoy life at your own pace.

Retirement isn’t the end of your usefulness.

It’s the start of a new chapter — quieter, freer, and maybe even more meaningful.

Have you thought about life after retirement?

I’d love to hear your thoughts.

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Mr. Old Man, 01 June, 2025