More seniors intend to work past retirement

Robbie Vance knew he was too young to retire in 1989 after working with Coca-Cola for 30 years.

He hadn’t even hit 50 yet, and the thought of staying at home wasn’t very appealing, so he spent the next 15 years helping run an auto parts store.

Still not ready to retire, Vance began working as an account executive for Nantze Springs, and had rather sell water than sit at home.

“I started thinking about retirement, and I asked myself ‘Why should I do that?’ ” Vance said. “I would just sit in my recliner all day and watch television. Before I knew it, I would probably be in a nursing home or dead.”

Vance is one of a growing number of seniors who plan to work past retirement age for reasons other than financial necessity.

Results of a survey conducted by Sun Life Financial show 83 percent of those surveyed plan to continue working at 67 and beyond to stay “mentally active.”

“That’s me,” Vance said. “I have to be out meeting people and talking to people.”

Jean Barnes of Malvern retired from Flowers Hospital more than 11 years ago, but continued to work part-time as a product demonstrator. She also spends a lot of time volunteering at the Taylor Senior Center.

“I just like to be active,” Barnes said.

Julie Jones, who works as a clerk supervisor for the Dale County Commission and helps recruit seniors for the Southeast Alabama Regional Planning and Development Council’s Senior Aide program, said many employers seek seniors because they tend to be more stable and dependable.

“And with the seniors, I think many of them want to continue working just to have something to get up and look forward to,” she said.

According to the survey, 48 percent of the respondents said they believe they will be working past the traditional retirement age of 67, and four of the five top reasons given were not financial in nature.