It’s now almost a month since I completed Run Britannia. Since then, I’ve been busy celebrating, not just on successfully completing my 1000-mile run, but also marking my 60th birthday, with the help of my fellow runners, friends and family.
My two-month sabbatical gave me plenty of time to reflect on what comes next. More of that in a minute, but first, a huge thank you.
More Research, less cancer
My day-after-day running was spurred on by your steady stream of donations. I am really touched by the generosity of your support for Cancer Research’s “More Research, Less Cancer” campaign. Donations are still coming in, and it looks like the final total will be tantalisingly close to my audacious objective of raising £60,000: £1000 for each year of my life. A huge thank you for your help!
In praise of long-termism
Cancer Research’s work will create long-term benefits, like Hymans Robertson’s “Better Futures” mission. This long-termism is rare in today’s real time world of instant satisfaction. For me, this rarity makes it increasingly important to advocate the benefits of patience and persistence in pursuing inter-generational improvements. Just like early saving is rewarded in enabling distant, but affordable, retirements.
Shifting attitudes towards retirement
But here I am voluntarily returning to work after age 60. I did not expect that when I started my first permanent job in 1987, joining the Government Actuary’s Department and with that the Civil Service pension scheme with its pension age of 60. Back then there was a strong cultural expectation of our lives having three successive (not overlapping) phases: education, work and then retirement. This rigidity was arguably reinforced by actuaries advocating for defined benefit pensions!
Moreover, work was widely regarded as unhealthy, whereas early retirement was believed to be life-extending. Now, the evidence points in the opposite direction: research studies point to work being the healthier thing. And in Club Vita data, we see later retirees living longer. This may be explained by work providing purpose and a rich seam of social connections. And we also have gained more flexible attitudes towards part-time working and lifelong learning.
For me, having had the experience of a lifetime, and plenty of time to reflect on what a life of leisure might entail, I’m excited about returning to work. I reckon I’m as fit now as I was during my more sedentary twenties. And I think I have learned a few things that are still relevant.
If you’re worried that you might regret retirement, why not try a sabbatical first? Indeed, maybe employers should proactively offer sabbaticals at 60 to encourage the retention of their talent and knowledge.
Fresh challenges
I still relish the challenge of growing Club Vita as a world-leading enabler of longevity data science. I’m also looking forward to restarting my studies for my masters in Longevity Science. And, on the sporting front, I’m going to keep running. I’m excited by entering a new age category (M60), some 6kgs (13 lbs) lighter than before Run Britannia. I hope being leaner helps me to improve my marathon time, and perhaps even qualify for the Boston marathon on a good-for-age basis.
Lang may yer lums reek,
Douglas