Working Longer Wasn't the Plan - but Here We Are

Hi friends, and thanks for stopping by to read Working Longer Wasn’t the Plan – but Here We Are. It’s a timely piece because for many older women retirement isn’t on the horizon. And not by choice.

Let’s be honest. Most of us didn’t dream of spending our 60s or 70s still punching a clock, filling out job applications, or wondering if we can manage another part-time gig just to make ends meet. This wasn’t the plan.

We were told to save, to work hard, and that someday we’d get to relax. But for a lot of older women today, retirement isn’t a golden reward waiting at the end of the road. It’s a mirage that keeps drifting further out of reach.

I expected to be still working through my mid-60s saving money for my retirement. And then life-changing events forced me to reevaluate my life choices. I was barely surviving. Certainly not thriving. The time was right for me to retire and become a nomad.

Why are older women working longer?

Some of the reasons older women are still working are obvious. And others are quietly heartbreaking:

Savings that never stretched far enough. Many of us raised kids, worked part-time, or took time off to care for aging parents. All of which meant lower lifetime earnings, smaller pensions, and spotty contributions to retirement savings plans.
The cost of living keeps climbing. Rent, food, medications, insurance, utilities, etc. It all costs more and our money isn’t keeping up. In some cities, even basic housing eats up most of a senior’s income.
Divorce, widowhood, or never marrying. Many older women are on their own. A second income isn’t coming. And when the life partner is gone, so is the shared pension, health coverage, or house that was supposed to see you through.
Jobs that didn’t come with retirement plans. We weren’t all government employees or corporate executives. A lot of us worked in retail, service, caregiving, education, or freelance gigs. You know. The type of dead end jobs that didn’t offer much security.
Debt. Student loans for us, our kids, credit cards used in emergencies, or co-signed loans that didn’t go as planned. It’s not always our fault, but we’re often the ones left paying.

Working, not retiring

So what does working, not retiring look like today?

It’s older women working retail or fast food at 6 a.m., delivering groceries, cleaning homes, driving for ride-share apps, or picking up admin jobs at half the pay of someone younger. If they’re lucky enough to be hired at all. Ageism is real, and job hunting after 60 can be both humiliating and exhausting.

Some women have found ways to work smarter – turning hobbies into side hustles, downsizing, house sitting (ask me how I know!), or finding online gigs. But let’s not pretend this is always empowering. Sometimes it’s just survival. Yeah, again, ask me how I know!

It’s not lazy to want rest

There’s no shame in feeling tired. It doesn’t make you lazy. After decades of raising families, working jobs, caring for others, and showing up every day – wanting a break is human. Needing one is real.

But here’s the catch: Working longer isn’t a character flaw. It’s a systemic failure.

We didn’t choose this path. We adapted to it. That’s what women have always done. We keep going, even when it’s hard, even when the system wasn’t built with us in mind.

And don’t get me started on health issues as we age that make us tired. Autoimmune diseases, aches and pains, and our bodies betraying us. We want to rest, not work.

So what do we do now?

This isn’t just a sob story. It’s a shared story. And while we can’t fix everything overnight, talking about it is a start. Let’s stop pretending retirement is a one-size-fits-all dream. Let’s push for policies that support older women, from affordable housing to guaranteed incomes and age-friendly work options.

And let’s build community. Whether it’s swapping tips, sharing resources, or just saying: “I see you. You’re not alone.”

Check out some of these resources:

Reddit Ask Women Over 60

Podcasts:

Facebook Groups:

Over 60 and Fabulous!
Women Living Solo Over 60
Frugal Living for Seniors
Retired Women Making Money Online
(Search terms like “older women support,” “retired women groups,” or “women over 60 community.”)

OK, I think you got the picture and can take it from here! Google search is your friend.