Retirement Rebels: Why Some Skip the Golden Years Playbook

The quick scan: Thursday was like that friend who doesn't show up to the party—markets were closed for Juneteenth, leaving traders with nothing to do but contemplate their life choices and maybe actually spend time with family. Sometimes the best trading day is the one where you can't trade at all.

• S&P 500: Took a well-deserved nap at 5,980.87, last seen Wednesday looking as exciting as watching paint dry
• Dow Jones: Also enjoying its beauty sleep at 42,171.66, probably dreaming of less volatile times
• NASDAQ: Resting peacefully at 19,546.16, giving tech bros a rare chance to touch grass

What's driving it: Absolutely nothing, and that's the point. Markets were closed for the federal holiday, giving everyone a chance to step away from the screens and remember there's a world beyond candlestick charts and earnings reports.

Bottom line: Thursday's market closure was like a mandatory meditation session—nobody asked for it, but everyone probably needed it. Sometimes the best investment strategy is simply taking a break and letting the world spin without checking your portfolio every five minutes.

Why Some People Choose Never to Retire (And Why That Might Be Smart)

The scoop: Here's a retirement heresy that might make your financial advisor choke on their coffee: what if the goal isn't to retire at all? A growing number of people are rejecting the traditional "work until 65, then stop" model in favor of something more nuanced. The concept of never retiring isn't about being a workaholic—it's about redefining what retirement means in the first place.

Instead of viewing retirement as a cliff you fall off, these folks see it as an off-ramp to more meaningful, flexible work. Research suggests that abrupt retirement can actually harm your health, sense of purpose, and longevity. The people who thrive in their later years often maintain some form of meaningful work, whether it's consulting, teaching, volunteering, or pursuing passion projects that happen to generate income.

The key insight? Retirement shouldn't be about escaping work—it should be about escaping work you don't love and moving toward work that energizes you. Think of it as retirement 2.0: keeping your brain engaged, your skills sharp, and your sense of purpose intact, just on your own terms.

Actionable takeaways:

• Start transitioning gradually: Instead of planning a hard stop at 65, consider reducing hours, consulting part-time, or shifting to more meaningful work in your current field.

• Identify your "why" beyond money: Figure out what gives you purpose and energy—this becomes your guide for post-traditional-career activities.

• Build skills that age well: Focus on developing expertise, relationships, and knowledge that become more valuable with experience rather than less.

• Create multiple income streams early: Diversify beyond your main job so you're not dependent on a single source when you want flexibility.

• Reframe retirement as evolution: Think of it as graduating to work you choose rather than work you have to do—the goal is freedom, not idleness.