What work looks like in your 80s for half a million Americans

Tech Insider : Economy, Business, Style
Photo collage of a construction worker in her older years
Nearly 550,000 Americans 80 and older are still working, and the number is rising.

Getty images; BI

Harvey Mendelson is no stranger to reinvention.

I'm 81 and work at Trader Joe's to help pay off $70,000 in debt and launch a business. I don't want to be treated like I'm an old person.

Tech Insider : Economy, Business, Politics
Dianne Michels
Dianne Michels, 81, works at Trader Joe's while starting a consulting business.

Dianne Michels

I got laid off at 65 and can't find a job. I don't want to retire, but I feel invisible to potential employers.

Tech Insider : Economy, Business
Woman with short grey hair and glasses takes a selfie in the street. Behind her are tall buildings, cars, and a clear blue sky.
Mary Jane Surette, 65, was laid off from her job in February and is looking at retirement if she doesn't find something else soon.

Courtesy of Mary Jane Surette

Robinhood is known for its meme-stock and crypto traders. Its CEO says users are embracing passive investing too.

Tech Insider : Business, Crypto, Style
Vlad Tenev, CEO and Co-Founder, Robinhood in his office on July 15, 2021 in Menlo Park, California.
Vlad Tenev, CEO and cofounder of Robinhood.

Kimberly White/Getty Images for Robinhood

We thought we'd planned for a successful early retirement — but we're picking up side hustles just a few years in

Tech Insider : Business
Man and woman sitting on bench staring out at water
We invested in savings plans and paid off most of our debts before retiring at 55 — but we've still run into issues.

sylv1rob1/Shutterstock

These 4 money habits can help you feel more secure, says this financial advisor

Tech Insider : Business, Economy
Kate Norris, a certified financial planner at Sun Life
Kate Norris is a certified financial planner at Sun Life.

Kate Norris

I retired at 52 and only have enough money to be financially secure for the next year. I'm still happy with my decision

Tech Insider : Economy, Business, Technology
Walter Green standing outdoors with a blazer and red baseball cap.
Walter Green decided to retire early after both of his parents passed away.

Photo courtesy of Walter Green

They've been retired for 2 decades — and have learned to make the most of their golden years

Tech Insider : Economy, Business, Travel
Bernita at her Table
Bernita Clark, 82, makes costumes for her daughter's 12-foot-tall skeleton.

Michael Starghill, Jr. for BI

Sitting at her sewing machine, Bernita Clark, 82, guides a piece of blue fabric as the needle bobs up and down. To her side sit scissors, measuring tape, thread, and a skull.

This Hall of Fame baseball player picked up photography in retirement. He captured one of the defining shots of the Masters.

Tech Insider : Sports, Sports, Business
The photographer is Hall of Fame baseball player, Ken Griffey Jr.
Hall of Fame baseball player Ken Griffey Jr. captured an iconic scene of Rory McIlroy winning the Masters.

Ben Jared/PGA TOUR via Getty Images

When my husband wanted to retire early, I agreed to do the same. But I hated retirement life, so I went back to work.

Tech Insider : Economy, Business, Travel
A couple arguing at home
The author (not pictured) struggled with early retirement.

janiecbros/Getty Images

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