Reinvention after retirement pays off in multiple ways

In a global demographic shift, 60% of individuals aged 55 to 64, and 12% of those 75 and older, remain active in the workforce. This growing trend, often referred to as the “silver tsunami”, reflects the determination and vitality of the baby boom generation (born 1946-1964). Many are redefining retirement as a time to reinvest their energy into meaningful pursuits. From founding new ventures to mentoring the next generation, their stories demonstrate that later retirement isn’t an end, but a new beginning.

Dr John Lazarus: a lifetime of reinvention

For Dr John Lazarus, retirement was never about stepping back. At 60, he left a distinguished academic career as a professor of engineering at the University of Cape Town to turn his attention to an entirely new field.

“I thought I was done,” he says, “but then this idea struck me, and I couldn’t let it go.” The idea was to establish CityVarsity, a multimedia design school that would provide students with practical, industry-ready skills in creative arts and media.

His academic peers were sceptical. “I ran it like a university, not a business, and that’s why it worked,” he says.

The school’s launch couldn’t have been better timed. The year 1996 was the outset of the internet boom at a time when industries were desperate for skilled professionals in web design, film, and other creative fields. By 2000, CityVarsity was thriving, eventually being acquired by Educor.

Lazarus’s life didn’t slow down after selling the school. Instead, he embarked on a series of personal challenges, pursuing his passion for extreme sports. At 87, he now divides his time between homes in Sea Point and Simon’s Town, following the wind and chasing adventure.

A devoted windsurfer for more than two decades, Lazarus also kite-surfs, paraglides, power-paraglides, SUPs (stand up paddleboards), rows, and freedives in the icy kelp forests of the Cape. Remarkably, he also rides a uniwheel, and took up skateboarding at 82. “As soon as I get good at something, I like to switch to something new,” he says.

Humour and philosophy are integral to his approach to life. “Life is like a roll of toilet paper, the closer to the end you get, the faster it moves. So make the most of it,” he says. Another favourite motto? “Adventure before dementia.”

Lazarus’s energy is contagious. “I don’t do suits and ties. I prefer shorts and t-shirts,” he says. But beneath the humour lies a profound message: age is no obstacle to reinvention.

Lydia Abel: a lifelong passion for education

Lydia Abel, 79, has dedicated her life to improving education in South Africa. After serving as director of ORT SA, a non-profit focused on cutting-edge teacher training, she stepped down six years ago.

“I woke up one morning and thought, ‘This is it, time to let the younger generation take over,’” she recalls. Despite the uncertainty of leaving such a significant role, Abel found new ways to stay involved.

Today, she works as a consultant for Education Without Borders, a nongovernmental organisation that provides after-school support to schools in under-resourced areas like Gugulethu and Athlone. “The only real challenge is having to take meetings at 22:00 to accommodate colleagues in Canada and Australia,” she says.

Abel has also channelled her lifelong passion for knitting into empowering others. At the Saartjie Baartman Centre for Women and Children, she trained women to create hand-knitted products, which are now sold under the collective Made in Manenberg.

“I wanted to give them something sustainable, not just handouts,” she says. It’s a passion project among many others that she pursued during and following the height of her busy career in education.

Abel’s early career didn’t come without challenges. As a woman in male-dominated fields, she often faced resistance. “In my early days as research assistant at Groote Schuur Hospital, I made it clear: I don’t type, and I don’t make tea,” she says. Later, as principal of Boston House College, she recalls, “People would ask, ‘Where’s the principal?’ It was inconceivable to them that the principal could be a woman.”

Although progress has been made, Abel notes, “Women still face resistance as they advance in their careers, especially those from rural or township backgrounds.”

Her advice to others approaching retirement? “Even when you’re done, you’re not done. You always need something that drives your passion. Between my knitting and my education work, I wouldn’t have time for a full-time job!”

Sandra Tarlie: closing a career with grace

Sandra Tarlie, 83, retired last year after decades as a speech and language therapist specialising in stuttering. “I loved my work, and continued past 60 because I enjoyed it and still needed the income,” she says.

Eventually, when she felt the age gap between her and her younger clients had become too wide, and with newfound financial freedom, Tarlie decided it was time to move on.

Now, she fills her days with walking, reading, and connecting with friends. But she misses the stimulation and fulfilment her career provided. “Helping children and adults find their voice was my passion. Watching them gain confidence in their speech was incredibly rewarding,” she says.

Tarlie’s story is a reminder that retirement isn’t the end of one’s impact, but the beginning of new opportunities for growth and reflection.

South African law doesn’t mandate a retirement age unless it’s specified in an employment contract, says industrial psychologist Taryn Marcus. “Post-retirement contracts are common, allowing organisations to benefit from the knowledge of experienced employees, often in mentorship roles,” she says.

However, Marcus warns that organisations must balance experience with innovation. “Mentorship can close knowledge gaps, but it’s equally important to embrace reverse mentorship, where younger employees share fresh perspectives with seasoned staff,” she says.

Marcus believes retirement offers opportunities not only for individuals but for organisations to grow. “The key is humility and openness – both the experienced and the novice have value to add if they’re willing to learn from each other.”