“I Wish I Was 55″

Posted October 2nd, 2007

Have you ever heard people wishing they were older? What do you think about employees in their late thirties, forties, and early fifties wishing they were 55? That was the age they would be eligible for retirement. Their benefits could not be “taken away,” even though most planned on working for a few more years.

As I traveled around a company, it was amazing to me how many people wished they were 55. In my research, that is a prevailing view in other companies, in education, and in government. I have a friend who taught special education until she was eligible for retirement. She retired and went back to the same job the next week. She only wanted to be free of bureaucratic control and the “hassles” of being an employee, rather than a contractor.

What does that say about our institutions and organizations? Most organizations are changing so rapidly that the employees just want to hang on, hoping they won’t get fired and lose their benefits. Those in their twenties already know that salary increases, fresh knowledge, and multiple experiences are what counts today. It is not likely a person can get what counts by staying with one company. As Thomas Friedman said in The World is Flat, companies won’t guarantee lifetime employment, but should enable employees to have lifetime employability.

I worked for one company for 30 years. My 34 year old son has already worked for five companies. My 29 year old son has three college degrees. I don’t think either of them will be wishing they are 55 ahead of time. I was grateful when I reached 55. I guess it’s a good thing that age 60 is the new age 40. Don’t wish your life away. If you are miserable at a company or doing a job, seek new opportunities(as the current terminology puts it).

This entry was posted on Tuesday, October 2nd, 2007 at 11:16 am and is filed under Leadership, Observations.