Also invented by Germans: Retirement. It was a 19th C. political maneuver, not adopted in the US until the 20th century to lure people out of the labor market during the Depression. A Retirement Plan With Less Golf but More Satisfaction.
Is retirement a good idea? Would partial-retirement be a better idea for those who want it? And what about age of retirement? If "70 is the new 50", what then? Some people end up retired for as many years as they worked, and that seems crazy, a waste of time, skill, talent, and experience, not to mention taxpayer pension costs. Some have no choice, and that is a loss for everybody. Everybody has a need to contribute to society in a useful way as long as they are able. Wise greybeards are always needed even in the more physical trades.
In my experience, many who retire early get a bit lost, aimless, and regress into purposelessness and hedonism. Free choice if you can afford it, so it's fine but...what? You're supposed to want to golf all day? It has become a cultural meme, a theme, a meaningless theme.
Trump is 70 going on 50 and works harder and is far more energetic than I am at a much younger age. At his age, he is required to take Social Security whether he wants it or not! How dumb is that? On the job 16 hrs/day. He is the type that never retires and will always find productive outlets for his energy. Wilbur Ross at Commerce is 79, for heaven's sake. Indeed, they are a credit to their age cohort and good examples for everybody.
