I personally worked until I was 71, a full 50 years as a nurse. My husband now 75 is still working part time as an architect because of the instability of the financial situation. Social security is taxed and Medicare costs go up every year. We have been diligent to save, but inflation is high. We have retirement funds but hese too are taxed. Property taxes are high, but thankfully our home mortgage is paid off. Food prices are ridiculously high and go up every month. Some people work because they want to remain productive and active, others work to counter the effects of this high inflation, and still others work out of profound necessity.