I have noticed that tons of my friends of retirement age move directly from being active contributors to the working world to doing nothing (but traveling, golf, etc.). That is a huge brain drain on our economy.
Most if not all would love to work part-time in their chosen field and freelancing will give them the chance to do just that.
I think this will keep them happier and wealthier for longer...and our economy and society will be all the better for it.
As an aside, my mom and dad both lived to 94 and had a vast wealth of wisdom and knowledge to share but no real way to share it (except with me of course). They would have loved working a few hours a day online.
In my limited experience, I’m seeing people who want to retire at 62 but they have to stay on until they are eligible for Medicare. Another concealed effect of ObamaCare - you MUST stay in a job because the insurance options available suddenly became VERY expensive.
I’m engaged in a personal freelancing transition project right now. I’m getting qualifications & contacts aligned for a full launch in about 3 years. A recent RV purchase will take care of the travel/recreate part of the equation while S/S and a pension cover basic funding. The consulting should fill 25-50% of the time with the money supporting travel.
I’m about ten years from hitting retirement age and thinking how great it would be able to come and go as I please. (I work from home and on the road and kind of make my own schedule now)
But, at the same time, having some form of supplemental income in my field of expertise would also be pretty cool.
I have noticed that tons of my friends of retirement age move directly from being active contributors to the working world to doing nothing (but traveling, golf, etc.). That is a huge brain drain on our economy.
I had plans for doing some freelancing when I retired.
Those plans lasted just one day as I had slept in and discovered I could do pretty much anything I wanted to do.
I choose to be lazy. Have not regretted that decision one bit.
Of course my definition of being lazy is working on my garden when I wanted to, and working on my hobbies when I wanted to, and going for walks when I wanted to. A nice stress free life.