OLD people do news. Just that last week In DenmarkThe retirement age for the collection of a government pension was brought to 70 years, a question that caused many debates in this country. In the United States, questions have been raised about Joe Biden‘s mental acuity While he was still in office. Warren Buffett announced His retirement At the age of 94 of Berkshire Hathaway. Donald TrumpBehavior, at the age of 78, continues to raise worriesOtherwise alarm.
When are people too old to do their job?
Recent Regulations are encouraging Workers must stay at work by increasing the age for the moment when people have to start withdraw their plans 401 (K) from 70 and a half to 75 years by 2033. However, a recent study found that more than half of workers over 50 have been pushed before they have voluntarily withdrew. US law prohibits forced retirement, but some well -known companies – such as General Electric, Exxon, Intel and Apple – have age -based restrictions for their senior executives and members of the board of directors.
However, according to a recent report From the Federal Reserve, more than half of small businesses belong to people over 55, including 70% of companies with more than 50 employees. Should they still be in charge?
It is an increasing concern because the population of the elderly grows. In the United States, the number of people Over 65 years of age, around 9% of the total population in 1960. Today, it is closer to 18% and by 2054, 84 million adults aged 65 and over will make up About 23% of the population. Life expectancy was less than 70 years old in 1960. Now it closes out of 80. People live longer and work longer. We all know people in the 80s who are sharper than those who are half their age.
How old is too old?
Obviously, you cannot assign an arbitrary number that defines old age. Mick Jagger is 81 years old. Bruce Springsteen is 75 years old. Paul McCartney is 82 years old. They always perform in front of countless fans. Tom Cruise – 62 years old – Always jump planes. Dear, 78 years old, recently released a vacation album. Richard Branson, 74, continues to order the Virgin Empire. Say what Trump you want, but even at 78, he runs like someone half his age.
But do we really want a 78-year-old man who runs the country? Or pilot a commercial jet? Or perform open -hearted surgery? Should someone extinguish fires, repair roofs, drive trucks, work in a steel foundry, develop cattle? Probably not. In fact, when someone reaches a certain age, everything must be reassessed.
How old? 60
A 2023 Study found that almost half of fortune 500 was led by people over 60 years of age. However, only 28 companies were still managed by a CEO over 70 years of age. Something happens during this period, and a recent study by the University of Stanford can provide the index.
According to at this researchWho followed thousands of molecules in people aged 25 to 75, two major waves of age-related changes were detected at ages 44 and again at 60, which helps explain why peaks in certain health problems, including musculoskeletal problems and cardiovascular disease. This may explain “the sudden accumulation of wrinkles, ailments and pain or a general feeling of having aged almost overnight”. It is not progressive. It’s a burst. And while the study has focused on physical effects, I think it happens something else once someone reaches the age of 60: a loss of energy.
I have a friend at the beginning of the sixties who led a bar in downtown Philadelphia and now works as director in a manufacturing company. I asked him if he had an interest in managing a bar in the future. “Are you kidding?” He told me. “I just don’t have the energy. I just want to play a little golf and spend time with my grandchildren. ”
It sums up. Most people lose energy when they have reached sixties. Of course, we are always interested in the world. But work has become less a priority. We prefer to do other more fun things in the remaining years of our life. We are tired a little faster. We are going to bed earlier. We move a little more slowly. I was recently offered the opportunity to buy a competitive business and I refused. It seemed interesting but, like my friend, I just couldn’t imagine bringing together the necessary energy to succeed in such a transaction. Thought exhausted me. It’s still!