Retirement and Its Discontents: Why we won’t stop working, even if we can (2018, Columbia University Press), argues that traditional definitions of retirement can lead to discontent among those whose personal identity has been strongly tied to their work. The book questions the lure, appeal, and enticement of a generalized retirement that is defined as no longer working and asks: What becomes of those, whose departure from their life’s work means losing a core and fundamental component of their personal identity?
A convincing analysis of the disquiet among a small group of elders who—despite having money—want to work. Warning! A furtive tear may betray empathy for their deep feelings of abandonment, depression, being a renegade. Silver digs deep for courageous insights into the transition from career to retirement.
– Teresa Ghilarducci, The New School, author of Rescuing Retirement: A Plan to Guarantee Retirement Security for All Americans
This fascinating read holds insights not only for those on the verge of retirement, but for all of us—in how we think about structuring our work and living our lives.
– Michael Norton, Harvard Business School, coauthor of Happy Money: The Science of Happier Spending
This extremely well-written, interesting, and informative book gives rich and vivid retrospective accounts by contemporary professional retirees of what was, for them, a jarring transition. The in-depth accounts of people with different occupations are deftly analyzed—revealing both commonalities and differences. Retirement and Its Discontents feels timely, as growing numbers of workers are reaching conventional retirement age. Michelle Silver’s writing style is appealing, and the stories capture and hold the reader’s attention.
– Phyllis Moen, University of Minnesota, Encore Adulthood: Boomers on the Edge of Risk, Renewal, and Purpose
This is a really interesting book—I can’t say I’ve seen anything like it. Obviously well written and well researched in addition to being a great read, it takes an innovative and personal look at a seemingly familiar concept—retirement—and challenges us to think beyond the stereotype of golf courses and loving grandchildren. Instead, it explores the social constructions of identity and work through interviews and examples ranging from physicians to homemakers.
– Kate de Medeiros, O’Toole Family Professor of Gerontology, Miami University, author of Narrative Gerontology in Research and Practice
Retirement and Its Discontents addresses the experience of five different groups’ experience of retirement, with a focus on individuals who have found retirement challenging. This is cutting-edge research particularly because Michelle Silver interviewed members of groups who are often difficult to access, doctors and CEOs, as well as housewives, elite athletes, and professors. By concentrating on how the research participants explain their perspective, Silver demonstrates the diversity in how people experience retirement and makes the case for the decoupling of age and retirement.
– Deborah K. van den Hoonaard, St. Thomas University, author of Qualitative Research in Action