Retirement Starts Today Why are You Still Working?
Feb 2, 2026
A look at five motivating reasons people keep working as retirement nears, from necessity to unclear purpose. Discussion of using first principles thinking to define ideal days and test retirement plans. Practical talk on timing Required Minimum Distributions and when delaying the first RMD can help. Stories about finding purpose after work and steps to move toward a fulfilling retirement.
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Work Out Of Necessity Requires Practical Audit
- People who must keep working often do so out of necessity rather than choice.
- Benjamin Brandt recommends auditing job tasks to preserve long-term physical and mental sustainability.
Working Longer Buys Flexibility
- Continuing to work a few extra years can meaningfully improve long-term flexibility and peace of mind.
- Brandt calls for an opposite-of-stress-test: a flexibility test to avoid doom-stacking worst-case scenarios.
Keep Working Only With A Written Plan
- Do keep working only under a written financial plan that confirms you could retire but choose not to.
- Benjamin Brandt warns against mistaking forced work for genuine desire to continue without financial independence.
