Ageing disgracefully: Australians think retirement is outdated

BABY Boomers are determined to have fun, stay young and age disgracefully, a new report shows.

Oscar Carlson, 76, is a regular Ironman athlete and doesn't plan on slowing down. Picture: Eugene Hyland

BABY Boomers are determined to have fun, stay young and age disgracefully, a new ­report shows.

They’re no longer interested in simply taking up bingo or lawn bowls and “fading away quietly” into retirement.

Older Australians are instead proving they’re ready to shirk society’s expectations and redefine themselves.

Research by the Korn group revealed attitudes towards ­retirement were changing and many Australians found the concept “outdated”.

Lead researcher Neer Korn said Baby Boomers were intent on behaving in accordance with their youthful attitude.

“As they have done at every stage of life, the Baby Boomers are forcing society to re-evaluate perceptions of ageing and what that means,” Mr Korn said.

“Today, retirement is not a time to fade away quietly but rather a time of new beginnings. They still feel young and spritely, and are keen on ­revelling in their new found freedom.”

Oscar Carlson, 76, is a regular Ironman athlete and doesn't plan on slowing down. Picture: Eugene Hyland

With this feeling of youthfulness also comes the desire to stay busy and productive.

Mr Korn said being busy was seen as a status symbol and sign of “life participation”.

Oscar Carlson, 76, said he “doesn’t know what retirement is”, and with 11 marathons, 15 Ironman triathlon competitions and a degree in fine arts to his name, he shows no signs of slowing down.

“I can’t see why I have to stop,” the former teacher and Australian Ironman champion said.

“If you look after your health and body, you can go forever,” he said.

A new report shows many Australians think the concept of retirement is outdated. Picture: Eugene Hyland

Mr Carlson completed his first Ironman aged 50 and has gone on win or place in 15 Australian Ironman Championships since.

The Murrumbeena local trains triathletes and Ironman in his spare time, many of who are approaching retirement themselves.

“I’ll be competing in the Cairns Ironman in June along with another woman. We’ve both got pacemakers but that doesn’t slow us down,” he said.

“Next year is the big one, Kona in Hawaii and I’ll be there for that too.”

@GenevieveAlison