Should I Retire: a False Dichotomy

The question should I retire is not a yes or no question. Whenever you only have two choices, that’s a false dichotomy. There are always more than two choices if you are honest.

So, since Should I Retire is a false dichotomy, there has to be a middle path.

Let’s look at retirement in the middle of that false dichotomy.

Work Forever or Retire Early

Another false dichotomy is work forever or retire early. It is both/and. Here is why:

Work Forever

Some physicians in their 70s still get flow, pleasure, and purpose from their procedure. If this is you, work forever! Or at least remember that once you retire, you need to find a way to replace what work provides. If you had benefits from work (like a 10-hour schedule, bumping into people, always knowing where you were eating lunch, occasional weekend plans, etc.), then you need to find a way to replace them in retirement. Working forever is a full-time job, and retirement is too.

Retire Early

Once you retire early, you can do what you love! If what you love is work (that provides income), then you can work forever! Or at least know that you have enough and you can do what you love. Travel, volunteering, or being a gym rat and wellness freak are perfectly good and worthy reasons to retire early.

In Work or Retirement, Do What You Love

In the middle of a false dichotomy, you should retire early and work forever. Keep doing what you love, or start doing it! This is not a binary decision.

Just as “should I retire” is a false dichotomy. Don’t “should” on yourself when considering retirement. Don’t fall for the false dichotomy. Make retirement as good as you can. It’s a Choice!

What do they say: find what you love and never work another day in your life?