Nestled in the sunny confines of Tempe, Arizona, lives a gentleman by the name of Maas. For over fifty years, his days were emblazoned with the toil and triumphs of the automobile industry, a domain he not only navigated but thrived within. Imagine, working tirelessly well into your late 80s, driven by passion rather than necessity. Eventually, the rigors became too taxing on his body—but not his mind. “I hate retirement,” Maas confessed candidly. In his ideal world, he’d still have his shoulder to the wheel, energized by purpose until his very last breath.
“At this age without work, there isn’t a hell of a lot to look forward to,” Maas reflected deeply. His post-retirement years weren’t spent idle due to financial demands but because he genuinely delighted in the routine and rewards of contributing. “I feel like whenever you quit working, you don’t feel like you have any purpose. That’s the way I feel right now.”
Perhaps you too have a story about finding purpose in work even in the golden years? Feel free to share your experiences.
Business Insider has recently been touched by tales from many older Americans who choose to continue working, even when they possess the fiscal cushion needed to retire comfortably. For some, work means maintaining vital social connections, for others, it’s about fulfilling lifelong ambitions or simply having a structured day to wake up to.
Running a Company in Your 80s
Back in 1964, Maas embarked on his career journey with General Motors, working his way up within their insurance branch. As an insurance adjuster, his role was no small feat. He was an investigator, a problem-solver, and a helper. People brought their woes to him, those involving protected investments like cars, and Maas found immense satisfaction in steering them towards solutions. His career was not only a source of sustenance—earning a decent salary—but also a vehicle through which he raised two adopted children, who now, grown and grateful, live close by.
“I helped people, the paying customer, and also helped control loss costs for the company I worked for,” Maas proudly stated, underscoring how the desire to assist others fueled his drive for half a century.
Upon retiring in 1998 after various roles at GM, Maas quickly found a void in a life devoid of work. “We did some traveling after retiring, and we didn’t end up working a lot,” he admitted with a tinge of restlessness, indicative of his desire to remain actively engaged.
Before long, he partnered briefly with a former colleague to carry out appraisals on recreational vehicles. But in 2002, Maas, no stranger to reinvention, decided to live out his entrepreneurial dream. The goal wasn’t wealth—he was motivated by a wish to remain active and continue helping others.
Thus, in his mid-60s, Maas founded his own appraisal firm. With meticulous care, he examined insurance claims, helping people avoid unwarranted expenses from vehicle accidents. “It was very satisfying work, to tell you the truth, even in my 80s,” Maas reminisced, echoing the drive that propelled him forward.
Begrudgingly Retiring
Yet the time eventually came when Maas had to concede to physical limitations. Nearly two years back, the drudgery of inspecting vehicles wore him down. “Mind-wise, I haven’t had a whole lot of problems,” said Maas. “Physically, though, the work required getting down under vehicles, and that became too difficult to do.”
Adapting to a life devoid of professional bustle wasn’t easy for someone who thrived on the cadence of work life. Now, his days are filled with reading and television—pastimes pleasant yet lacking the thrill of working towards the next project. His disdain for retirement grows palpable.
Together with his wife—his partner in life and in the conquest of the mundane—they’ve celebrated 70 years of marriage. Their unity exemplifies how relationships can serve as a cornerstone of motivation and balance. Moreover, Maas offers counsel to friends just slightly younger than himself, urging them not to step away from work hastily.
“I don’t have regrets,” Maas averred wisely. “People need to do the best they can with what they’ve got at all times.” In his words, there lies a reflective nudge, a reminder to cherish and make the most out of every endeavor, every journey—both professional and personal.
