Senior Americans forced to work against their wishes share a cautionary message for Gen Z

The so-called modern society hasn't been treating our senior citizens well, particularly in America. Despite working their entire lives, they aren't able to enjoy retirement out of compulsion. In fact, research by Teresa Ghilarducci, a labor economist, found that only 10% of Americans between the ages of 62 and 70 are both retired and financially stable. The rest are either retired and poor or are still working because they can't afford to retire. On a related note, in a video posted on December 2, Business Insider approached some senior adults still working to earn a living, and they confessed how retirement is a far-fetched dream, offering a humbling lesson for the younger generation.

Sharon Albrecht, 84, who works as an Uber driver, said financial setbacks left her with no choice but to work in her 80s to make ends meet. "There is a man who still owes me $60,000. I had to learn the hard way," Albrecht shared. In 2010, she retired from hospital nursing but continued working as an Uber driver to sustain her lifestyle. While working in her 80s has also given her a purpose in life, Albrecht confessed that she regrets not saving enough when she was young and was making serious cash.

Similarly, David Hugo Barrett, 82, who grew up in poverty, said that's his driving force to continue to work. While he genuinely wishes to retire, he can't because of insufficient funds. "As soon as you start working, plan for retirement," Barrett said. Everything was going perfectly in his life. In fact, he was making good money as a computer programmer, but met turbulence when he was laid off twice. He had to withdraw his savings to support living; moreover, during a stock market crash, he sold all his stocks at a loss. Barrett believes that if he had been more cautious in handling his finances, he could have easily avoided his financial struggles. "It makes me feel as though in spite of all of my education, and all of the money that I made when I was a younger person, that in the end, I am a failure," he confessed. 

Luis Bautista, 82, and Kathy Curtis, 81, also shared struggles while working in their 80s. Curtis started earning when she was barely 16. She had worked in multiple sectors. From working as a cocktail waitress to driving a catering truck, she has done it all. However, her decision to sell her house and move to Texas did more harm than good. "The people who were buying the house lost their jobs, and it fell out of escrow, and I am still here," she said. Consequently, she lost all her equity in her house, and retirement could never be her easy way out.

Bautista, too, continues to work because he has no retirement savings. He began his career as a drummer and continued it for about 15 years, but somehow ended up in debt. Currently, he said he works as an adviser and a life coach to pay his bills. Despite the struggles, he said he enjoys working. "Most days I don't realize I am 82 until I look in the mirror," he joked. Next, he urged the younger generation to make the correct decisions, whether in personal or professional lives.

The episode received an overwhelming response on YouTube. People, especially the younger generation, sympathized with the seniors who are forced to work for a living. Moreover, they also realized that it's an "eye-opener" and that they need to start making better financial decisions before their retirement age. For instance, @purshotham91 commented, "It brought me to tears. Being 34, I realize how saving is more important than spending, especially in my peak time. Rewired on how to take care of elderly people who are dependent on us. Thanks for this video."

@hlnwrd7376 commented, "You didn’t fail, you succeeded. You did the absolute best you could with what you had. The truth is, the system doesn’t work for us. This world makes it nearly impossible to retire, as if our entire purpose here is to produce. Health insurance, housing, and education are investments we can never fully pay off. It’s a system designed to hold people back, not a reflection of your worth or your effort. You are doing amazingly in a world that makes it hard, and that alone is strength."

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