Why arent people retiring?

I am a young professional and young in my career. My last two companies I worked with I had very old coworkers. Why arent they retiring and is this something I should get used. I would like to see other young people in a career also. The reason I ask is becuase there is an age barrier and the older coworkers seem jelious of me.

Public Comments

1. society didnt think the way young adults do now days and didnt have the opportunities we doooo, so most of them are still working to survive..and its sad to see it b.c you see them all over.. walmart, grocery stores and all..i dont know how they do it..
2. simply said we cannot afford to retire .. need to pay bills and have medical
3. My parents had a successful family business they sold and retired - they didn't factor in health - and how much health care costs them both (Over a thousand a month) They aren't :old: and that sick just that they do see the MD every few months for things to monitor and they do take medication to help high BP, or cholesterol - etc.. my dad nearly died of this sudden Pneumonia two years ago and his hospital bill for 2 weeks was over $65,000 - People plan to retire at 65 but the stock market and poor 401 investing makes having to work an option - There is an age barrier but I hardly doubt old people are jealous of young people - maybe just maybe your energy level...
4. Retire and do what? Drive around the country in an RV? Watch Soap Opera's all day and discuss how old we are? Or maybe just pass away to make run for younger workers. You didn't indicate your profession, but in many of them "old timers" are the only thing keeping them going. Such as in IT. When all the old timers finally do retire, we're in trouble.
5. A lot of people like working for the work and to keep paying their bills.... .....just try to see them not as a age...but the people they are and the work they do with the companies....
6. Well, with the prices of everything rising and social security and such not being of much help, I would say that the older people are finding it hard to retire and live a decent lifestyle...
7. People of the previous generation have not prepared well for retirement. It is not so much the cost of healthcare etcc.. it is poor spending habits, accumulation of debt, and lack of savings. Serious retirement planning up was never a hot topic up until about 20 years ago. There were no such things as 401Ks, company matches etc.. People thought they would be able to retire on a pension, receive social security and be okay. This is not the case. Many people approaching retirement age have refinanced their house to afford trips and toys ( like new TVs and cars ) instead of just paying off their mortgage. They have no other choice but to work.
8. They have to work. They can't afford not to. Get used to it, because the baby boomers are getting up in age. Some will stay in the workforce longer, due to better health. They are an informed generation, and very actively involved in their personal health. Some of their parents are the really old people, still wiping tables at Taco Bell. Women who stayed at home to raise children, and lost their husbands. They have no skills, and have been forced into he workforce suddenly, later in years. Some have seen it in time, and planned for their future. Working with the elderly from a very young age, I was traumatized into signing up for a 401-K at 19. And, I am so thankful for it. Now, at 25, that monthly statement, is priceless. It's a relief to know that I am being pro-active.
9. The whole system of retirement was created to help men returning from war (I don't remember if it was WWI or WWII) get jobs. So many women had entered the job market to fill in for the men at war, that there weren't enough jobs for the returning vets. Retirement was created in order to open up jobs for those vets by forcing out older workers (they were probably easier to deal with than the recently emancipated women!). However, recently there has been an attitude shift. The aging "boomers" are living longer and more active lives, and tend to feel that, if they retire, they won't be productive any longer. There's a feeling of accomplishment that comes with being employed, and to some, retirement means being non-productive and non-essential. Previous generations worked mostly in labor jobs, where as the aging boomers tend to be in more professional jobs, so there's also not such a physical need to retire "young". The good news is they have a lot to offer. You could try breaking the barrier by asking a few of those older workers their opinions. With all their experience, you're looking at several possibly very beneficial potential mentors. You have youth and drive, they have experience and wisdom. Cut through the barrier, and just imagine what a powerful combination that could be!
10. First off, you need to get over yourself. Older workers are needed in the work place. The upcoming work force (your generation probably) does not represent enough talent or strength for today's working environment. In fact, recruiters are starting to go back to retired worker to fill in the empty spots that this current generation can't fill. My suggestion to you would be to learn to communicate with the older worker. They are not going anywhere at this time, something you can partly blame on Uncle Sam... Most of "us" are worried about SS benefits that won't be there!