Guess what my dad did?

He is not the only retiree who has went back to work, some just want to work they are bored. I work with two ladies one is 85 and the other 70. They are two of the sharpest most dependable people we have. We worked college students and tried high school and ended up with exretirees. Social Security will be there if we the younger generation work and keep paying it forward that is the way it works. Some of the older generation didn't get to pay in much which is why their checks are not enough.

I expect that to be the case for more and more retirees. We can't even rely on the 401ks. A recent statistic showed that many lost almost a quarter of their value because of the stock market having gone down so much. Companies are struggling with their pension funds, too. Well, and social security has been messed up for year, since the government used those funds to pay for other projects. It used to be mostly older ladies needing to work because of a divorce or widowhood. Those are the ones you often see at Walmart as greeters. They stopped working to raise a family, but are forced back without much qualifications. Now you see senior citizens pop up in other areas of the work force. Bus drivers like your stepmother for school districts (our neighbor has trained for that and is starting next year, also a retiree), cafeteria staff, greeters, baggers, cart pushers, sales clerks, in the fast food industry, baby sitting. It's a sad situation, and I expect it to get worse. And many will also cut on their medical needs like medicine, doctor visits, surgeries,... Just to make ends meet. Even worse, we may not be prepared either. People are starting to have trouble paying their bills, they will put less money away for retirement, maybe even take money out of retirement funds. This economic downturn/recession will have farreaching and longlasting effects.

Hi Trace, That is very sad! They are suppose to enjoy life in that age and just relaxing! I know also in our Country, the monthly support from SSS depends on the contributions a person have made, big contribution, big support and vice versa! I can't imagine my Dad working at that age, but anyway, it can be a good exercise too..Hope no more stress for them!

we;; I pity on him because he was just force to work at that age because his social security would not be enough for both of them to live by. Well, if he is still active and healthy, there's no problem working, but if he felt not comfortable to work but just force to do so, it is sad.

ya i believe it my dad is going to be 70 and he still has to work to pay his bills because he can't support the both of them off of his ss check which is pretty pathetic. I think our elders need to be taken care of as well look at all the hard times some of them went thru like the dirty thirties and they still have to scrounge just to get by these days too. when is the goverment ever going to give us middle class and the under poverty people a break instead of breaking us.

That's the worst scenario could happen that Social Security wont be around anymore. As for your dad who is already 77. He is supposed to rest not work. So this gonna be worsening, that's really sad. Global economy at it's worst situation is surely arrives.

No I don't think it's right that the elderly have to get jobs to support themselves but I don't think it's OK that perfectly healthy younger adults don't work and live off the government. It just goes to show that something definitely is wrong with our government system. It would be nice if more money went to the elderly than to younger adults that feel like working is beneath them.

Is it just me or does anyone else think that a 77 year old man should not be driving a school bus? It is a sad state of affairs when someone feels forced to do something that is potentially dangerous just to make money. I think that stinks. I would complain to anyone in authority that would listen.

I cannot believe that your Dad has had to get a job at 77 isnt it ridiculous? I mean fair enough if he has done it because he wants too, but to have to get a job because he cannot afford to live is terrible. Speculation is probably correct in that there will not be a pension for us when we reach that age, this is why people must put away what they can when they can. Even if it is only pennies, pennies make pounds after all, I have just started to do this but I wish that I had got my head screwed on years ago!

I have read about quite a few going back to work after they retire to make ends meet,and with all the rising costs its not suprising,the set pension ,maybe topped up with a small amount of private pension is probably going to have to stretch well to go around all that it needs to.Im not sure which way is the best way to do it,I suppose you have to adjust to living on a small amount,but that doesnt mean that you want to go without everything.

what? crazy! in germany was not like that before but this time they chaged it, its more likely what you have mentioned they are working till 75 at the momet till they get retirement money.before in germany was lots of benefits but not anymore.its sad to hear that 77 yrs old still working.

First of all your parents need to go for medical checkup to see if they are physically fit. If they are, I see no reason why they can't work. Let them work rather than sitting at home and wait for social security cheque. Your parents will be highly active and motivated in their daily routine. And because of that they become more healthier. But by sitting around at home not doing anything constructive for the brain dan physical will make your parent bored and metally tired. So, let then work as long they want and enjoy doing it.

That's a shame! I am proud of him for getting a job, but working at his age should be a choice. Had he looked into his local Area Agency on Aging? You can find out from your local one-stop if it has a different name at www.servicelocator.org , but counties in every state have them, and usually a partner to help the aging jobseeker is mandatory. In PA ours offers positions that are reserved only for seniors placed through the agency; ie working as an assistant at a Philadelphia Eagles game. Some of the positions are neat, I couldn't really speak for the salary range he would be looking at. Good luck!

First of all,I admire your dad very much for what he wants to do.I mean,of course,senior people can take a job,regaining a feeling of self-support,as long as they're in a good health situation.

Social Security was not supposed to be all that a person is to live on. It is supposed to be a stop gap. The idea was that young people would invest and save for their retirement years. If a young person started saving just a little bet every week by the time they reach retirement they would have enough to live comfortably on. I'm sorry that your dad and stepmother are having to go back to work. It should be a lesson for all the young people to start planning and save with their first job. By the way I didn't plan very will. I wish that I had listened to my business math teacher in high school. If I had I wouldn't be so dependent on SS

Ideally at that age is supposed to be resting already as they are already considered retired. Its just I think they were not really prepared financially when they reach the age of their retirement. I think they should have started saving on their own a long time ago when they were still young and strong. Social Security is not eenough for you to live comfortably at your retirement age. Especially if the contribution you're making is just a fraction of their earnings.

Wow, I'm speechless, congratulations!!! C'mon, be happy for your old man. At least he isn't depending on you or on other people in order to live. I mean, here in our country, 60 is the retiring age and no one would hire anyone nearing their 60s. Most folks here become too dependent and use their age too rely on heir kids for the rest of the years that they are alive. Your dad's really lucky. I just hope he won't get too tired working. And it is so nice to hear that your step mom is also interested in helping out your dad. At least hey still think they are productive despite their age. Good for them. Maybe they feel that they will just deteriorate if they will just sit down all day doing nothing.

oh man, i think I believe you on that one and even with Social Security being so miniscule it still worries me that I won't get it. And then there is talk about it being privatized and such and I just don't know. I am working on trying to put my savings into a ING account but now Im scared about that because of the FDIC problems. No I do not think its alright for a man in his 70s to be needing to work and I know there is senior citizens who WANT to but I cannot help letting a sigh when I pass a man that is obviously much older than 60 and working hard and I listen to public radio and heard about a newspaper editor who WANTS to leave his job and he's in his 60s because the hussle and bussle and demanding deadlines are getting too demanding for him and I could just hear the urgency in his voice, but he cannot even afford to leave because he needs the money to pay for his house--Im thinking my god, never did I hear such things when I was younger, Im 26. The cost of living is sky high and this guy has a real professional job that he has been at for 30 years and he's stuck??

I think its terrible. the way things are right now is very scary. I am fifty two and signing up for college classes this fall. I am hoping to have my degree in the next three to four years. I will be working for at least the next twenty years. My thoughts then I can ciontinue not being able to make it from pay day to pay day on twelve dollars an hour or in three to four years making eightrrn to twenty dollars an hour. I am the only one that can do it for me so here goes. I wish your dad all the luck. He should be enjoying life now, not worrying on how to make ends meet.

I dont think its right either, the way things are most high school grads from middle class families can't afford to go to school! Many people are struggling, most are losing their jobs! Its horible!!