Last year marked a major turning point in my father’s life: after three full decades of dedicated service in the insurance industry, he finally decided to retire. At sixty-five, he concluded that he had spent quite enough time confined behind a desk, devoting himself to paperwork, sales calls, and client meetings. With a blend of relief and anticipation, he announced that he was ready to step away from the repetitive rhythm of office life and reengage with the world beyond his cubicle. Years of sedentary routine had begun to weigh heavily on him, both physically and emotionally, and he longed for work that would keep his body moving and his mind stimulated. He often explained that his decision to retire came from a mix of fatigue from constant sitting and disillusionment with the evolving nature of his profession. When he had first entered the insurance field, he believed he was sincerely helping people protect their futures, but gradually the job transformed into something that felt more impersonal, as though he were serving a faceless corporate system rather than individual families. That realization, coupled with the monotony of desk work, finally convinced him that it was time to close that chapter of his life.
Reaching the official age of retirement offered him both an opportunity and a sense of closure. Rather than completely withdrawing from employment, he decided to explore lighter, more dynamic forms of work that would allow him to stay active and engaged in his community. He soon found not just one but two part-time jobs around town—positions that might seem modest in scope but that brought him surprising satisfaction. When we talked shortly after he made the transition, he admitted with a smile that toward the end of his insurance career, he wasn’t entirely sure whether he would miss the professional routine or crave the camaraderie of office life. As it turned out, the moment he left, he felt no nostalgia at all; instead, he experienced a liberating sense of renewal.
Within a week of retiring, he landed his first part-time position in customer service at a small local meat market that processes, packages, and sells fresh cuts to the community. There, he takes pride in managing an array of tasks—everything from carefully wrapping bacon and assembling snack sticks to packaging bones destined for broths or perhaps for people’s pets. With typical humor, he often laughs about not knowing exactly what customers do with the bones after he bags them; all he knows is that someone is delighted to take them home. The environment keeps him constantly on his feet, chatting with coworkers and customers alike, enjoying a steady current of social interaction that contrasts sharply with the quiet isolation of his former office job.
More than a year into retirement, he often remarks that this arrangement suits him perfectly. The activity keeps his energy levels high, while the pay supplements his income from Social Security and the annuity he receives as part of his long-term employment benefits. My mother, meanwhile, has not yet reached the official age to access her retirement accounts or Social Security, so his income fills in the gaps comfortably. He frequently mentions that his hourly earnings help cover household expenses while also funding what he fondly refers to as the “extras”—small indulgences such as taking the grandkids out for ice cream, organizing family dinners at favorite restaurants, or planning occasional trips out of town. These luxuries, he says, are what transform financial stability into a sense of abundance and joy.
Another aspect of his new lifestyle that he finds particularly appealing is the flexibility it affords him. Each week, he writes out his preferred schedule by hand, snaps a photo, and sends it to his supervisor via text message. He typically works between twenty and twenty-five hours weekly, though the exact timing shifts depending on the store’s needs and his own availability. The company, busy enough to appreciate any help he can provide, accommodates his preferences easily. With a total staff of thirty-two employees, he rarely overlaps with everyone, but he enjoys the small groups with whom he regularly collaborates.
In addition to his work at the market, he picked up another part-time position at a local social club where he spends his evenings pouring drinks, opening beers, and chatting with longtime acquaintances. Most of the patrons are already his friends, and he takes delight in greeting nearly every person who walks through the door by name. On the rare occasion someone new arrives, it doesn’t take long before he knows their story as well. The combination of these two roles—physical activity in one and convivial conversation in the other—offers him a balance he never had in his corporate years. He often says that this ability to design his own schedule is one of the greatest advantages of retirement life. After finishing his shifts, he returns home, settles comfortably into his favorite chair, and enjoys a few hours of well-earned relaxation. As he describes it, this period of rest and peace completes his day, leaving him feeling blessed to have created a routine that so perfectly aligns with his energy and personality.
Staying active has always been a defining element of who he is. Once an avid marathon runner, he has maintained a lifelong commitment to health and movement. Even though he no longer competes, that ingrained mindset continues to shape his choices. He vastly prefers standing over sitting, explaining that spending entire days at a desk had once made his back stiff and his body sluggish. Now, being upright feels almost therapeutic; it keeps his muscles engaged and his posture strong. Naturally, long periods of standing come with their own challenges, so he has adapted by wearing sturdy foam-soled shoes—nearly two inches thick—which cushion his joints and protect his back. This simple adjustment, he likes to joke, was a lesson he learned the hard way in his early days at the market.
Beyond the physical benefits, his new jobs offer an invaluable social dimension. Each day brings opportunities for friendly exchanges, brief conversations, and small acts of connection. These moments of interaction have replaced the sterile professionalism of corporate life with something infinitely more personal and gratifying. He often sums it up by saying that as long as he continues to enjoy himself and remains physically capable, he intends to keep working. He is realistic enough to acknowledge that time will eventually force him to slow down, but for now, the thought of quitting doesn’t cross his mind. The work keeps him busy, engaged, and genuinely happy—a blend of productivity, companionship, and purpose that defines this new chapter of his retirement journey.
Sourse: https://www.businessinsider.com/dad-retired-working-part-time-jobs-2025-12
