"Business life begins at 60" story in the Times

My Dh started a 'different take' on his profession when he was 59 and now, aged 68, is far to busy. He enjoys what he does, he feels much more fulfilled and thinks it keeps his brain ticking over. Luckily, he is able to factor in lots of time off and currently takes about one week in 6 off.

I think maybe one of the things holding back older people is that, once they are 'entrenched' in a particular profession/job, it is hard to risk a change. By the time one reaches 60, one has fewer responsibilities and dependents. And, over 60s are not old any more!

DH did not have to access any help as it was an extension of his main career.

GF cake please {cupcake}

I retired after 40 years and was fortunate enough to have sufficient to live on with my 2 pensions combined but I had little savings.

I decided to work freelance but I got the work through my previous job. This was inspection work and I then had to write the report at home. I also took on a separate job one day a fortnight (again previous work related) but although I had no report writing to do, I had teaching plans to prepare. To top it all, I worked for a local college as an exam invigilator but that work was very ad hoc.

Once the IR had their share I was able to save a fair amount so I was able to get various things done to my house which would have been a struggle financially otherwise. This work kept my brain active and the only thing that stopped me from continuing was breaking my ankle badly 4 years ago but I had around 7 years of enjoyment.

There was no financial pressure to work and I think that made a difference.

DH has taken to playing the stock market now he has the time. I think he likes the feeling of gambling and and gives him an excuse to read the papers thoroughly. But it's not a career

Mine does that too. I think he feels that because he's earning on top of his pension he can have fun with the money.

I don't think I can think of anyone I know who has started over at 60. They, including the late Mr.G, have all looked forward to retirement, whether in their 50's or 60's with relish and not entertained any idea of pursuing their entrepreneurial dreams, more like pursuing their dreams of holidays abroad, following their artistic leanings, gardening, sailing, learning to fly fish, spending time with family and generally doing what they want to do, when they want to do it after 40+ years of working long, hard hours providing for their families. Perhaps I move in different circles with people who are fortunate enough to have sufficient funds to be able to do this, although my Grandfather continued to work in the City until he was well into his 70's - but he just loved his work and only finally retired after he fell off a number 119 bus on the way home

Where do the newspapers get this -- cr-- rubbish from?

Bit odd to expect posters on a online forum to comment on a newspaper article most of us cannot access as they have the brilliant idea of setting up a paywall.

Had, not have

By the enormous response on here, I would think they made it up.

Perhaps newspaper journalists move in a different world to ordinary people who inhabit online forums.

Sorry I can't help. My DH is perfectly content with his model aeroplanes and other hobbies. Thank goodness. Would not want to see the pension pot go down the pan.

Still think they make a lot of this stuff up.

DH is a consultant engineer in the energy industry who was an employee rather than self employed during his working life.

As he retired the industry suddenly became very active so he returned to work on a freelance basis. I do not think he has ever enjoyed work so much. He could do or not do projects as he thought fit and the money he earned was 'extra' rather than his living wage, as he was also drawing his pension. He ended up taking on the biggest project of his life, which dominated our lives for 2 1/2 years. Work has since tailed off. He is 70 now and his health now makes overseas business travel and meetings very wearing, but he still takes on the odd desk-based assignment and if they wanted a barge or tug surveyed within reasonable reach of home would still turn up and do it.

He has now taken up ebay trading and DD has inveigled us into joining her in running a stall at various big antique fairs. He is at an auction sale as I write.......

I did it at 40. I gave up teaching and bought a cafe, turning it vegetarian overnight.
Then at 50 we bought a guest house and turned that vegetarian.
That was to follow a dream. We had to give it up when I was 60 because my husband was ill, and kept losing his balance and falling downstairs.
I do not know anyone who wants to start again on reaching 60. They may continue in self employed capacity in the same sector they were in before 60, but not actually start on a new track.

Like Gally I don't know anyone who 'started over' professionally at 60.
But it did seem to me that 60 marked a turning point in my outlook. Till then I felt I had to carry on working for various reasons, but reaching 60 was a liberation.
I sold my practice but carried on working for the new owner, and felt that a great weight of responsibility was lifted off my shoulders.
Since retiring I feel I have my life back to do the things I want - but starting a new business isn't one of them!

One of the freedoms older people have is the steady income that comes from the state pension and ,hopefully, other sources. Whatever you choose to do you are no longer wholly dependent on this business/occupation and the income it earns to pay for your day to day needs.

Many people retire still fit in mind and body and not worn out by an arduous working life. They are often better educated than their parents or grandparents and have a wider life experience. Quite a number of people will use this opportunity to start a business, pursue an interest or just continue their previous occupation on a freelance free will basis that, as in my DH's case gives them the most satisfying years of their career.

A number of businesses older people go into are hobby businesses. DH's grandfather and uncles were antique dealers and he spent a lot of his childhood helping them at auctions. Almost all our furniture is second hand/antique usually bought at fault and then restored. So to start visiting auctions and junk sales to look for items that can be restored and traded on is child's play to him and doesn't require much capital investment, nor are premises required, beyond our large garden shed for storage. In his case it is not going to be a serious money making business, more a hobby, but at antique fairs we have met retired people who are running a full time business and making a good living out of it.

Your comment, Flickety, reminded me of the comment today that kids are not as good as their grandparents at English and maths.
My first thought was why shouldn't we be as good as our grandchildren? How dare the Education department suggest we should be worse than our grandchildren?

Practise makes perfect. We have been practicing a lot longer.

My hubby is 60 and is about to open a new Flying School. He already runs a successful one, and no doubt the new one will be just as good.