Is anyone else just a little bit obsessed with TED talks? I feel like there is one for every single topic that you could think of, and they always share a new perspective.
There are some amazing TED talks available that talk all about retirement in a unique approach and cover various matters. These are my top 10 recommendations for you to check out!
Retirement: Isn’t that for old people? – Michelle Silver
On average, we are living longer now than we have in all of human history, and in this talk, Dr Michelle Silver touches on how we tend not to spend much time thinking about the implications of living a longer life. She discusses the phenomena of retirement and how we have a responsibility to improve our inter-generational work environments, and invest time and resources into personal retirement strategies and career transitions at all stages of our lives.
Redefining Retirement – Dean Waggenpack
What do you think of when you think of “retirement”? Is it about slowing down, stepping aside, withdrawing into an extended period of leisure? Dean Waggenpack explains the importance of collectively rethinking retirement. Our definition of retirement is based on our previous generations’ conception of retirement. But with the increases in life expectancy and economic insecurity, it’s time to rethink what we expect retirement to mean.
Retirement: The best years of your life? – Gary Usher
We don’t talk about ageing, it is seen as a negative. But what if the best was yet to come? Gary Usher talks about his realization that later living should be the very best years of your life. Around the world, many over 65’s are starting to embrace retirement through new experiences, adventure and most importantly community, as they surround themselves with people that not only alleviate or even eliminate loneliness but also reinvigorate their lives.
We are living, on average, 34 years longer than our great grandparents did, and yet our perception on ageing hasn’t changed. Jane Fonda takes a look at ‘the third act’, how these years aren’t just a footnote and what we can do to make this part of our lives successful. She looks at age as a potential and a positive, and how we can re-imagine this new phase of our lives.
Older people are happier – Laura Carstensen
People are living longer, yet we’ve come to accept longer lives with a sense of complacency. But the more we learn about ageing, the clearer it becomes that our perception of how things ‘will all go downhill’ is grossly inaccurate. Psychologist Laura Carstensen shows research that demonstrates that as people get older they become happier, more content, and have a more positive outlook on the world.
How I became an entrepreneur at 66 – Paul Tasner
When he was fired at 64 years old, after 40+ years of building his career as an Engineer, Paul Tasner talks about how retirement simply was not an option for him. So, he decided to build his own business manufacturing sustainable packaging, pairing his idea for a business with his experience and passion. Proving that it’s never too late to reinvent yourself.
How to live passionately—no matter your age – Isabelle Allende
Referring to the quote, “Tell me, what is it that you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?” At 71 years old, Isabelle Allend talks about how society defines ageing. In this candid talk, meant for viewers of all ages, she talks about her fears as she gets older and shares how she plans to keep on living passionately.
Let’s end ageism – Ashton Applewhite
One thing we are all going to become is old, and yet we are all so scared about it. In this talk, Ashton Applewhite discusses how, as a society, we discriminate and prejudice based on age, even though age is one thing that is going to happen to us all. Ageism is a prejudice that pits us against our future selves, and it’s important to understand that it is not a problem to be fixed, but a natural, powerful, lifelong process
Retirement is redundant: Catherine Rickwood
To retire means to rest, or to withdraw. For years, we’ve been sold the ‘retirement dream’, but we are buying into a retirement stereotype that limits our potential. In this compelling and entertaining talk, Dr Catherine Rickwood challenges our assumptions about ageing and retirement, and questions our current approaches.
Retirement: from foreboding to fulfilment – Brendan Murray
After working for nearly four decades, Brendan Murry discusses how he felt he completely lost his identity when he retired. Despite feeling ‘well prepared’ for retirement, when the time came the impact of losing his identity made him feel invisible and like a nobody. He talks about how to replace your identity and create that sense of achievement you previously obtained from working.
I hope you found these as entertaining, inspiring and thought-provoking as I did. Which of these was your favourite TED talk on retirement? Or if you have watched a TED Talk that inspired you to think about retirement in a new or different way, I’d love to hear! Send me an email or drop a comment below to let me know about it.