Retiring In Your 70s

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Specializes in ICU / PCU / Telemetry / Oncology.

Any nurses out there already or planning on working into their 70s?

I am planning to, since I entered this profession later than most (early 40s) and I would like to keep on working a little longer than the normal retirement age. This plan of course is God willing, hoping I am blessed with continued good health and stamina. I am definitely not looking to still be at the bedside at that age but I do see myself still in nursing somehow (educating or administrating perhaps). Depending on my circumstances, I may even be part time as well. My uncle is 76 and still works full time as a doorman. I know that is comparing apple to oranges in terms of physical work demands, but his work ethic is admirable and I think I take a lot after him. He definitely does not need to work financially but is doing it anyway and it keeps him active.

I see myself the same way, I just cannot picture myself sitting in a retirement home or not doing anything else work related once I hit 67. I'm the type of person that needs balance in life with work and play. I don't even find myself looking forward to retirement at all, maybe because I am enjoying my career right now. I have met a couple of nurses that are still working in their early 70s and they actually still love what they do. I like to see examples of nurses that don't actually hate their jobs and don't talk about retirement so much. Heard one nurse in her late 20s the other day already complaining that she cant wait to retire, and I thought to myself that is such a bad attitude to have already, what a sour long working life is ahead for her. I used to be in a profession before nursing that I despised and I had a similar attitude, which is what propelled me to change careers. So much happier now.

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Specializes in Emergency Department.

Are you mad?????? :nurse:

Seriously though, I am 60 and plan to retire within the next 3-4 years. State pension age is 66 in UK but I can get my hospital pension from age 60 so money is not an issue. I have worked since I was 14 (left school at 15) and it is now time for me to do what I want. Every person who gets on TV stating they are happy to work until they are 70+ has a job where they are sitting down or have no physical labour. I appreciate you have thought about this and plan to move away from the bedside but nursing takes it toll.

Retire and find something you want to do. Volunteer, work in a local coffee shop, something that will get you out and give you some satisfaction - I am looking to volunteer in a local museum.

Good luck with whatever you decide but remember, you have earned your retirement.

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

Thats great Grumpy but in the US, many of us (nurses) have no retirement, the hospitals stopped pensions for the most part and when the economy tanked a few years ago, it tanked our 401k's also.

Paco - Yep, I'm with you - I know I will be working at least until 70. Fortunately at this time (mid-50's) I'm still very healthy and can easily keep up. However, I advise that if you are wanting to work later in life, get a grad degree which will give you options for jobs as you age.

Best wishes!

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Specializes in Emergency Department.
Thats great Grumpy but in the US, many of us (nurses) have no retirement, the hospitals stopped pensions for the most part and when the economy tanked a few years ago, it tanked our 401k's also.

Paco - Yep, I'm with you - I know I will be working at least until 70. Fortunately at this time (mid-50's) I'm still very healthy and can easily keep up. However, I advise that if you are wanting to work later in life, get a grad degree which will give you options for jobs as you age.

Best wishes!

So that you are aware, this was not a pop at the OP, I was answering from the point of view of a 60 year old who has more than 30 years as a nurse - I am sore and I am tired. I have recently required back surgery to cure Cauda Equinus after humping patients around since I started nursing.

Perhaps I am lucky that I live in the UK but remember there is nothing free in this world - I have been putting a percentage of my salary towards superannuation every month since I was a student nurse. This has contributed towards my retirement pension. I have been putting money away through national insurance since I was 15 - this has contributed towards my health care and my state old age pension.

I do not know what a 401k is (although I have heard of it) but my hospital has nothing to do with my pension. This is run by a separate entity called the Scottish Public Pensions Agency. Like you I have been affected by the downturn and have had to increase my contributions. I believe it is sitting at about 9.6% of my salary at present which is up from the 6% when I started and for most of my career.

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Specializes in HH, Peds, Rehab, Clinical.

I had the sweetest lady the other day. 92. Worked 40 hours per week as an RN. Until she was 84. I made her repeat it while I picked my jaw up off of the floor.

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Unfortunately I fear I will have to work in my 70's due to loss of 401k, divorce etc... and oh yeah....student loans. Sigh.

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Specializes in LTC, assisted living, med-surg, psych.

I know I'll be working till at least 70, just not in nursing. I retired at the end of last year, but of course can't afford to retire from the work force entirely. Gotta eat and pay bills and all that. :yes:

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Specializes in Psychiatric Nursing.

I plan to work till at least mid 70's. I do locum tenens psych. APRN. I love my profession and doing it in 2-3 month contracts I do not burn out.

I worked one place with a psychiatrist who was 82.

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Specializes in ICU / PCU / Telemetry / Oncology.

I'm glad to see I am not the only one with this retirement plan ?

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Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.

I am 59 and I am looking forward to retiring my mid-60's -- not because I hate nursing, but because I want my freedom. I would like to choose when I will work and when I will not. I am tired of being "chained" to the demands of an employer. My real hope is that I will be able to ease into retirement by switching to part time employment with a more flexible schedule in 3 or 4 years, then gradually cut back to full retirement when Medicare kicks in at 65 or shortly thereafter.

Like Grumpy, I have been putting money away continually since I started working (in my early 20's). I didn't panic with the Great Recession and kept my money invested in my retirement accounts and continued to contribute. So while they did decline in value greatly in 2008-9, they came back up as the stock market recovered -- and the money I invested back when the markets were at their lowest have made a very nice profit. With me, the issue is not cash -- but rather, health insurance coverage. That's why I will be waiting for age 65 to fully retire -- when I will be eligible for Medicare as my primary health care insurance.

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Specializes in CRNA, Finally retired.

I retired at 66 1/2 as CRNA. Loved the actual instant gratification of the nuts and bolts of the thing but after 41 years of nursing and 30 of them in anesthesia, my hands were ruined (intubating and doing airway maneuvers on all those pumpkin heads) and my back hurt every day. Yes, you still have to move those huge sacks of potatoes over to their stretchers at the end of the cases and you have no mechanical advantage because of the tight little spot you are in. However, I do miss nursing and wish there were something I could do part-time that didn't require physical strength. Of course I now have no problem riding my bike for 17 miles:). The older you get, the less you are able to tolerate the BS of the job and I've seen people leave because of that. BTW, retirement is awesome! It's like everyone told me - how did I ever have time to go to work?

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Specializes in Med/Surg, LTACH, LTC, Home Health.
Unfortunately I fear I will have to work in my 70's due to loss of 401k, divorce etc... and oh yeah....student loans. Sigh.

Didn't know I had a financial identical twin out there! But if I have to extend my employment years, it WILL be done out in the community...not bedside.

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