For many people between 55 and 70, the traditional notion of retirement doesn’t quite fit. Some of us left our full-time jobs by choice, others not so voluntarily, but either way, the idea of spending our days rotating between pickleball, naps, and dog walks feels a little hollow. Rest is nice, but we have still got gas in the tank, experience to share, and maybe even a few new things left to build.
So what do you do when you are not ready to stop contributing, but the corporate world has moved on without you? The good news is that there has never been a better time to reinvent what this chapter looks like. The bad news is that no one is going to do it for you, and your dog will eventually stop pretending the third walk of the day is exciting.
Pull Quote: “Your dog will eventually stop pretending the third walk of the day is exciting.”
Start by thinking about what you already know. You have decades of experience, lessons learned, and stories worth sharing. Why not start a YouTube channel or podcast like we did with The Comeback Cast? It is easier than you think, and there is a hungry audience for honest, practical wisdom about work, leadership, and life after “the job.” If you are curious about how or why we started The Comeback Cast, or want help exploring an idea of your own, we would love to share what we have learned along the way.
Or maybe it is time to give back. Charities and nonprofits are always looking for mentors, board members, or project leaders who can help guide them with real-world know-how. You could start a scholarship fund, volunteer to teach financial literacy, or help local entrepreneurs navigate the messy middle between startup and sustainability. Nothing makes you feel younger than helping someone else figure out something you learned the hard way.
And yes, if pickleball is your thing, lean into it with purpose. Organize a league, teach newcomers, or turn it into a social hub for people figuring out what is next. Maybe it is woodworking, photography, tutoring, coaching, or even launching a small side venture that scratches the itch to create something meaningful. Just remember, naps are still allowed. They are strategic now.
Pull Quote: “If naps are part of your new routine, just call them strategy sessions.”
The point is, there is no one definition of retirement anymore. We have entered the “pretirement” era, part rest, part reinvention, and part rediscovery. The trick is to keep moving forward with curiosity and intention, finding ways to add value to others while keeping life interesting for yourself.
That is exactly what we will be exploring on The Comeback Cast. Brian, Bill, and Burke will bring their stories (and yours) to the table with humor, honesty, and a few lessons learned the hard way. The podcast kicks off around Thanksgiving on YouTube. Join us, and let us figure out together what comes after the nine to five, because the comeback story does not end with retirement.