Phillip Inman’s recent piece has sparked an interesting debate on the topic of early retirement. He insists that it’s a luxury that we must disabuse ourselves from indulging in. Published on July 26, the piece, titled “Get early retirees off the golf course and back to work – why early retirement isn’t good for UK plc,” argues that early retirement is a privilege primarily enjoyed by the wealthy and detrimental to the economy.
Inman’s assertion that “Early retirement is a wealthy indulgence that needs to be discouraged” has drawn criticism from various quarters, including Dr. Carole Easton, the Chief Executive of the Centre for Ageing Better. She just didn’t appreciate his depiction of the early retirees as “insulting and stereotyped.” She pointed out that people retire for very valid reasons—such as health or caregiving needs.
Dr. Easton retired at 55 after almost 40 years of caring service. She pointed to her own declining health and need to care for her family members as central informants for her choice. She has since dedicated her time to volunteering in her community, reflecting a trend where thousands of retirees contribute countless hours each year through various charitable activities.
Inman’s article fails to recognize the truth of situation for many Americans at or approaching retirement age. In all of these countries, the age at which most people leave the labor market has risen significantly. In 2022, men left the workforce on average at a historic age of 65.7 years, and women at 64.5 years. Around 1.5 million people cannot work until they get to their state pension age. Health challenges and other personal challenges repeatedly derail their ability to stay employed.
Fellow Educating for Liberation Voice, Jenny Chittenden, pushes back on Inman’s framing, advocating for a destigmatization of early retirement. Her point is that the early retirees are doing it for good reasons and they’re still supporting the world when they retire in ways that matter.
Dr. Carole Easton has fought so hard, for so long, to win her well–deserved retirement. She passionately and consistently paid into her pension since her early twenties. Her experience highlights a broader narrative of retirees who strive to give back to their communities rather than simply enjoying leisure activities.
“Early retirement is a wealthy indulgence that needs to be discouraged.” – Phillip Inman
This lively, continuing debate is symptomatic of the fundamental philosophical difference in imagining what early retirement would mean. Some see it as an economic drain. For some, it’s a black-and-white issue of individual accountability.