No Retirement Savings, so I’m Still Working at 85 and Fine With It

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Sally Ann McCarter, 85, who works part-time at a fulfillment company in Pennsylvania. Though she retired at 73 with almost no savings, she quickly returned to work and has been at her company for over a decade with no plans to stop. She said not doing much planning for retirement, though oftentimes stressful, has its benefits. Her words have been edited for length and clarity.

I am perfectly satisfied with my situation. There could have been things that would have been better had I thought about them, but I can’t change it.

I started out as a secretary at a teachers’ college before moving to a steel company, where I stayed for 43 years in the sales department.

I didn’t have savings at all after buying land for my house because I never thought about retirement. For many years, my Social Security didn’t cover everything, which I waited until 65 to take.

I was ready to retire at 73. But I didn’t enjoy it as much as I thought I would. I thought I might do some traveling, but my husband was no longer with me, and it’s no fun to travel by yourself. I really missed being busy. Within a month or two, I was ready to unretire. I never thought I would have to get hired at my age, but I got hired right away.

I now get $2,547 monthly. I get retirement money from the steel company, which is around $1,000 a month and helps a great deal. I could make it without work, but I would have to be very careful what I spend it on.

Unretiring and working at 6 a.m.

I went back to work. I missed the people and the company. I’ve been there for 12 years at a fulfillment company, and now I sit at the front desk and greet clients.

I am the first person to come to the office. I unlock the door every morning and let in clients, finding out who they are and who they want to see. I am a very early riser, and while our company doesn’t open until 8:30 a.m., I go in and open it at 6 a.m. I do not charge them for it because it’s my decision. I work until 12:30 p.m.

I answer the company phone and forward it to the person who should get the call. I’ve told them that whenever someone has extra work and no one else to do it, I’m available. I’ve been doing a lot for our accounting department while one of their members is out sick.

With the house and job, I’m making out all right financially, but I’m not saying I have much extra left over. I wish I did, but it just doesn’t work that way.

Navigating loneliness and discovering peace

After my husband passed, I’ve been by myself, and it’s a long day when you’re by yourself, regardless of the work you have to do. I had two brothers, who I lost, and just lost my sister-in-law. My other relatives are in the Carolinas. People are important in staying mentally active.

I have a couple of friends, including one in his 90s, whom I visit occasionally. I have friends at work, a husband and wife, whom I meet on Friday nights for dinner. I have a neighbor who is very nice and thoughtful and does a lot for me, such as my taxes.

I take no medications whatsoever. I’ve only been in the hospital once in my life, and that was for appendicitis. I go to the doctor once every three months for a checkup, and he says, “I don’t know what you’re doing, but keep doing it.”

I still have a mortgage and expenses. I used my savings to buy land, and then put a house on it. It’s a log house on four acres, ranch-style with three bedrooms and two baths. It’s very comfortable.

My husband wanted this house, and he got to enjoy it for about six years before he passed. I now spend my time taking care of the house. There’s always some expense around the home I need money for. I just had several trees taken down, and there’s an awful lot of dust I’m going to have to clear out.

Try to put something back from your paycheck each week so that you don’t have a hard time. Not everybody is as fortunate as I am to be able to get along. Pre-planning is very important, but you should enjoy life.

I’m going to continue working for as long as I can do it. I’m taking each day as it comes. No one knows how long they have. I don’t look too far in the future because you never know. That’s just life.