.. and Why Do We Chase It Like a Carrot?
In this video we bring in a guest, ChatGPT, to explain to us where the idea of “Retirement” came from and what it typically means. I want to educate you on some alternatives to marking an ‘X’ on the calendar to countdown to your exit from the work force.
Where Did the Idea of Retirement Come From?
This is what happens when you record alone in your office (J.D. makes a dramatic face). Hi everyone, and welcome back to The Retirement Cheat Code. Today we’re going to talk about where the whole idea of retirement came from and why we get so hung up on it. We’ll even bring in our friend ChatGPT for a little conversation along the way.
Where Retirement Started
The whole premise of this channel is retirement—which is kind of a funny term if you think about it. I pretty much know where it came from, but I thought I’d let ChatGPT take a crack at it.
So I asked: “Where did retirement come from?”
Here’s the answer: The modern idea of retirement really started in Germany back in 1889, when Chancellor Otto von Bismarck introduced the first formal pension system, setting the retirement age at 70. The U.S. followed suit later, especially after the Industrial Revolution, creating pension systems of its own.
Before that? People worked until they couldn’t anymore. You got old, you worked as long as you could, and then you were done—sometimes literally when you dropped dead.
Why We’re Obsessed With It
Medicine doubled life expectancy in the late 1800s, and with pensions and Social Security coming online, retirement became this cultural milestone. Income would eventually “kick on” when you were no longer able to work.
The problem today is that people treat retirement like a finish line. They chase it, circle a date on the calendar, and pour everything into reaching it. But often what happens is this: they retire, get bored, and go right back to work. Or worse—they don’t get to enjoy it at all because life takes a turn.
That’s why you see people “retire” multiple times. It doesn’t always stick.
The Better Goal: A Work-Optional Lifestyle
So what should people really be chasing? In my opinion, it’s not retirement—it’s a work-optional lifestyle.
That means you’ve saved enough, invested enough, and built up enough security through Social Security, pensions, or your own accounts that you no longer have to work. But if you want to keep working? You can. If you want to play golf three days a week, go fishing, or turn a hobby into a side business—you can.
The point isn’t to put an X on a calendar and say, “I’m done.” The point is to have choices.
Now, let’s be honest—even if you think you want 40 hours a week for golf, that’s probably overkill. You’ll need something else to fill your time. That could mean pursuing passions, annoying your spouse (always an option), following your kids around, or finally chasing that project you’ve always wanted to try.
Rethinking Retirement
We’re seeing younger people, even in their 30s and 40s, saving 50–75% of their income to “retire early” and shift gears. Does it always work? Not necessarily—many end up back in the workforce in some form.
Retirement doesn’t have to be all or nothing. It can be customized, flexible, and unique to you. A work-optional lifestyle gives you freedom without the trap of chasing an idea that may not even fit your life.
If you enjoyed this conversation (and my cameo with ChatGPT), please click the thumbs up button to let me know. And if you don’t want to miss future videos, hit subscribe. As always, I appreciate your time, and I’ll catch you on the next one.
