Additional Coverage:
- A retired baby boomer who still needs to work to get by thinks Social Security should be seen as a right in the US (businessinsider.com)
Linda, a 64-year-old retired teacher from Ohio, finds herself continuing to work despite having concluded a 31-year career in education. Following the death of her husband, also a public servant, Linda struggles with debt and insufficient income from her pension to cover her expenses. Living on a decreased monthly income of around $3,700 from her pension, down from her previous $5,000 salary, she is actively looking for part-time jobs to supplement her earnings.
The economic realities facing many retirees like Linda have grown starker. With private sector jobs increasingly phasing out pensions and Social Security benefits under threat, the traditional concept of retirement is becoming unattainable for many, especially those who earned modest wages throughout their careers.
Linda’s situation underscores the broader landscape of financial instability among retirees who rely on dwindling pensions and face the uncertainties of Social Security reforms. Despite the challenges, Linda plans to keep working as long as physically possible, reflecting a sentiment felt by many older Americans. She also hopes for a national reevaluation of retirement policy and Social Security, which she argues should be seen not as a privilege but a right earned through years of workforce contribution.