Blog#45 When Will I Die?

When Will I Die?

So many in their “sixties and seventies” are doing it.

I just don’t think I’m ready yet.

When your time is up, it is not a matter of negotiation, but too many have no choice.

I find it sad that those who expire do so sooner than they should.

There is no avoiding it. Death is a life sentence.

I don’t want to rush into it. Unfortunately, we all have an expiration date.

As a certified “Baby Boomer” born in 1946, I decided long ago to exercise, not smoke, eat right, avoid alcohol, and pace myself like a marathon for a long, productive life.

I have worked since I was 14, including washing floors at an inconspicuous Dunkin Donuts store in Quincy, MA. Little did I know it was the “first” Dunkin store and a company that would have outstanding success, just like another business, Howard Johnsons, that started in Quincy.

Then there was college, marriage, the Army, kids, and my first career job as a salesman with Xerox.

After 45 years in the high-pressure world of high-tech sales and marketing, I was faced with a decision many have made, and some looked at me, wondering why I had delayed it.

With some financial security, I could retire.  Maybe I should retire. But how long will I live?

Financial advisors say I need a “plan.”

Many think that you don’t really retire until you apply for Social Security payments at 62 or at the age of 66.

It just seems to go against my DNA, habit, and desire to stay engaged.

The funny thing is, after all these years of education, training, and experience, I have never felt more qualified to take on the world.

I have spoken to many others still working in their 60s and 70s, and the common theme is that “they like being in the game.” Every day, they get up, dress up, and step up to another challenge.

They like being productive members of society.

For some, it is no longer about paying for the kids, colleges, mortgages, and toys. Again, they simply want to fully engage with life, if not add more financial security to their last days.

Healthcare uncertainty has been a major financial concern. One major calamity and you could lose it all. Obamacare was supposed to provide the cushion, as the CBO claimed, to allow millions to retire from the workforce permanently with Government protection. Fact remains, you cannot depend on it.

I see those in Florida who scuffle from the living room to the kitchen and occasionally to the beach or the pool. They watch TV, read books and magazines, or play cards, day after a boring day.

I can see myself doing that for maybe one week.

Life is as rich as you want it to be. Since we only have one life, why not push it to the limits?

However, there are good reasons to retire well before you reach 62 years of age.

As a die-hard (pun intended) Patriots/Brady fan, I was cheering for Tom Brady to retire. He has earned almost all the accolades possible and has millions in the bank.  Somehow, due to his exercise regimen and focus on elasticity, he avoided concussions and debilitating health problems.

The real question for those about to make a decision to retire, no matter their age, is when they expect to die.

Yes, a tough question that begs an answer or at least a prediction.

After all, the answer will influence when you start drawing Social Security since the longer you can hold out until age 70, the more money you can make during your remaining days. Many consider how long their parents lived, their weight, and their vitality.

It also forces one to come to terms with their lifestyle. Obesity, drugs, smoking, alcohol, and other wrong choices will play a huge part in any honest prediction.

To be brutally honest, I have no reservations about asking morbidly obese people, “How long do you expect to live?” Some look shocked at the question, others try to defend it but know they are delaying the inevitable.

For this “Boomer,” I decided to do something different in my next life after high technology. As a result, I ran for political office in my hometown as Commissioner, and I won.

I know that I will continue to seek challenges, take new initiatives, and continue to learn and do the things others don’t like to do. Three years after my term ended as Commissioner, I took the role of President of my condominium association. My job at the condo during this time of building certifications and past delays in doing infrastructure maintenance has proven to be as tough as any I have had.

Other less demanding examples are my retired friend who is taking college courses, attending lectures, traveling, doing new exercise routines, and being a mentor to students in a high school classroom.

For sure, sometime soon, I will end my professional work, having reported directly to 17 CEOs and two Mayors. CEOs are especially vulnerable. Having worked for three CEOs in one company during one year alone – talk about stress! Thinking back on it, I had four CEOs and one Mayor die while I worked for them, and two others collapsed from heart attacks.

I have always embraced uncertainty, expecting it to be a “new beginning,” and I will continue to learn something new.

My challenge will continue to be to define my “next act” since I do not expect to die before I hit 90.

OK, maybe I am being optimistic, but dying sooner is just not in my plan!