VOLUNTARY RETIREMENT

Danielle Weaver

THESIS Although the retirement age is set at 65,

it should be voluntary action due to financial insecurities, desire for challenge, and social interactions the work place offers when a person ages.

ARGUMENTS Financial Insecurity Desire for Challenge and Social

Interaction

FINANCIAL INSECURITIES (ARGUMENTS) The economic recession cost many

Americans to lose their retirement savings. According to the OASDI, the social security

funds that retirees rely on will be exhausted by 2033.

Not only will retirees not be financially secure, but the lose of retirement funds will cause them to lose their assets as well.

The current system does not provide an adequate and secure retirement for all.

COUNTERARGUMENTFINANCIAL INSECURITIES Supporters of the current retirement

system argue that fixed- incomes do not adequately provide financial stability, but 401(k)s allow for smart and abundant amounts of savings.

DESIRE FOR CHALLENGE AND SOCIAL INTERACTION(ARGUMENT) Many workers who are past the age of 65 did not

feel up to retiring, but instead worked until it was not possible.

Benjamin Franklin at the age of 70 helped draft the Declaration of Independence.

John Glenn was the first man to orbit Earth at 77, John McCain was senator at age 74 , and Ronald Reagan finished his term at 81.

By working less hours and days, a person is able to enjoy their life.

If it was not for older generations and efforts of men and women age 65 or older, technology and the world in general would not be as advanced.

DESIRE FOR CHALLENGES AND SOCIAL INTERACTIONS( ARGUMENTS) Over time, the number of people

employed past the age of 65 is gradually increasing to a higher rate.

Married woman continue to work after their husbands retire because the women do not want to follow their husbands footsteps. The women typically enjoy their careers and what they are involved in.

SOCIAL INTERACTIONS AND DESIRE FOR CHALLENGES (COUNTER ARGUMENTS) At any work place many people have a

great time, and interact with their friends daily, so at the age of 65 or older women that are retired are less likely to have a social interactions with friends and employers, unless in a supervised home.

CONCLUSION The retirement age should be voluntary

because of financial insecurity. As of now, the economy is facing several hardships, and people cannot adequately provide for themselves with the lack of money provided.The funds where the money for the retirees originates will be exhausted within a few years.Also, the work place offers the elderly a chance for interaction between others and customers, it also provides the elderly with self-confidence and desire to still work.

SOURCES Carstensen, L. (2012, February 17). Look for new roles for older citizens

in an aging America, says Stanford's Laura Carstensen. Retrieved May 3, 2015, from http://news.stanford.edu/news/2012/february/carstensen-older-americans-021712.html

Miller, D. (Ed.). (2012). "Raising Eligibility and Retirement Ages Would Be One Way to Reduce Future Fiscal Imbalances in Social Security. In Opposing Viewpoints in Context(Current Controversies ed., Vol. 1). Detroit: Greenhaven Press.

Miller, D. (Ed.). (2012). The Social Security Trust Fund Will Be Exhausted in 2033. In The 2012 Annual Report of the Board of Trustees of the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance and Federal Disability Insurance Trust Funds (Vol. 1). Detroit: Greenhaven Press.

Retirement Funding in the United States. (2012). In Facts on File.

Wexler, B., & Wylie, T. (2010). Working and Retirement: New Options for Older Adults. In Growing old in America (2010 ed.). Detroit, Michigan: Gale Cengage Learning.