"There is nothing called Retirement!”
Neeraj Sagar, Founder-CEO of WisdomCircle told me. This, he added, was especially true if you are over the age of 35 and are living and working in India.
Why? It’s basic math: you live longer, you will need more money. You will also need to stay gainfully engaged.
Here’s how Neeraj explained it:
“We as ambassadors and Stanford Center for Longevity have pretty much taken it for granted that the 100-year life is here to stay.
So when you start working backwards and planning for it, having a retirement age at 58, 60, 65, the bigger question is, what are you going to do for 30 years, 35 years or 40 years?
Especially if you're over 60 or over 70 right now, don't expect support from the government. Don't expect support from policy. Don't expect support from artificial intelligence. You are on your own.
…There is nothing called retirement. Take time off if you need to. Think of this as a journey that you will be on till the day you die.”
So what should you do then?
Prioritise planning for a second career - something you will pursue after retirement.
And start planning now - in your late 30’s and 40’s.
How do you plan for a second career?
That’s the roadmap Neeraj lays out for us in this episode of the Longevity Shot - the podcast from Never Too Late.
And he would know, because his company WisdomCircle is an India-based post-retirement work marketplace which matches senior talent with companies that need their expertise.
Some spoilers:
In preparation, you must spend time building a hobby.
You must start volunteeering.
You must build expertise - or depth, as Neeraj puts it - in one specific area.
Your working life could also change when you choose to slow down (not retire). Neeraj recommends embracing ‘the portfolio life’ where you will make time for family and friends, to travel, to mentor, to volunteer and to work.
And there’s more. But for that, I recommend you stop reading and start listening!
Stream it off the Never Too Late page on Substack under the podcast tab. Or watch/listen to it on Spotify or YouTube.
Need more reasons to pursue a second career?
Answer this question: Which careers have the longest-living individuals?
The answer: Politicians, Doctors and Lawyers.
Why? Neeraj explains:
“Because they get active at 60, 70, 80. The brain works. Just think about it. Lawyers, doctors never retire. Most of them, at least. Politicians. And most of them, in spite of deteriorating physical health, they stay sharp till the end.”
So, want to stay sharper for longer? Become a politician, doctor or lawyer! And if you aren’t one, ensure you continue working so your brain is engaged and active.
That, for me, is reason enough to keep working.
So go on, tune in to the Longevity Shot and get your roadmap for planning your own ‘portfolio life.’
See you Monday.
Kavita Krishnan.
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