In a world dominated by stagnant wages and heavy tax burdens, people have different views as to whether senior citizens should continue working even after retirement if they are still capable of doing so. While there are clear reasons for retired individuals to give precedence to their job responsibilities, I believe that it is essential for old people to focus on social and family-bonding activities after retirement.
The growing focus on job obligations among retirees can be attributed to a variety of factors. With the steady rise in living costs and high tax rates, many individuals find it difficult to sustain their fundamental demands, ranging from daily necessities and health insurance, thereby exacerbating financial hardship, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic. In response to this, it seems logical for elderly people to work long hours and endure heavier workloads even after retirement in an attempt to minimize their financial strain. A case in point is my home country of Uzbekistan, where spending valuable time on job responsibilities among senior citizens frequently takes precedence over family and social-oriented activities, let alone enjoying a comfortable lifestyle, which has led to eroding meaningful face-to-face social relationships and even feelings of disenfranchisement and marginalization, combined with health-related issues, such as stress, anxiety, and sleep disorders.
Proponents of working after retirement cite various reasons to support their stance. If older people keep working after retirement, they can earn additional income and remain financially independent, which results in a higher standard of living and reduced reliance on pensions and family support, thereby strengthening their overall economic security. As a result, they can manage unexpected expenses with confidence, thus enjoying a more stable and comfortable post-retirement life. Gone are the days when old individuals found it easier to fulfill their basic needs, as today’s climate of soaring living expenses has encouraged them to place a greater emphasis on their job obligations.
However, in my view, the benefits of spending time on social and family activities should also be taken into consideration. When older individuals decide to refuse working after retirement, they may gain opportunities to engage with social and family-centered activities, such as social gatherings and block parties, which helps them establish and maintain social relationships with them, thereby enhancing social cohesion and mutual understanding. Consequently, they can maintain a close-knit relationship, which lays the groundwork for lifelong trust and intergenerational harmony. In a world where most people are now grappling with an isolated lifestyle, fostering a culture of devoting time on family activities is more important than ever before.
In conclusion, although working even after retirement plays a crucial role in modern society associated with achieving financial stability, it is important to acknowledge that emphasizing family brings more benefits in terms of improving emotional support. Only by focusing on society and family, can we find a sense of belonging and camaraderie.