Years ago, the average male would be dead by age 70. So it was hard to begrudge the retirement age of 65. However, many of us are living well into our 80s and 90s. Not only that, but most men in their 60s still have their health and must of their vitality. They should be in the workforce.
I'm 52 years old and I'm not even thinking about retirement. I'm having too much fun in my job (Regional manager for a large firm) and I figure I easily have another 20 years in the tank in which I could go full throttle and maybe make it to the Senior VP level. I still feel as healthy as I did when I was in my mid-30s.
So I am expecting to be working well into my early 70s. Also, my biggest money making years are still ahead of me. It would be crazy for me to retire now and I don't understand the mindset of others who think they should be retiring when still in their 50s or even 60s (unless they have health issues or are so financially independent that they simply don't need any additional income).
Remember that retirement is not retirement, if you stay active it is a hell of a lot of fun.
No doubt you are, but why should you extrapolate from your personal situation and think others are the same, as you post suggests? Not everyone is in your situation. How would you enjoy slinging hash and banging asphalt shingles on a roof every day?
Not everyone has a desk job and doesn't engage in hard physical labor.