Unretired - by Mark S Walton (Paperback)

About the Book

How America's first generation of knowledge professionals is rejecting retirement and changing the map of life.

Book Synopsis

The Map of Life is Changing

The nation's first generation of knowledge professionals, some thirty million Americans who've earned a living through their education, intelligence and expertise, has reached or is nearing retirement age. For more than half, this feels like a life sentence to purgatory, according to the most scientific studies ever done on this generation.

While many can afford to, they have no interest in powering down their ambitions to play golf, garden, cruise or play pickleball for the rest of their days. Recalls one who tried: "You retire, you have a drink on your patio at 4:30 in the afternoon. More time goes by. Now you have a drink at 1:30 in the afternoon. You realize it's time to go back to work."

And that they are-the number of college educated Americans in their mid-60s and beyond who have kept working rather than retire, has more than quadrupled over the past few decades. And their numbers continue to climb, as millions more each day recalibrate their career trajectories, realign the U.S. economy, and reinvent the path to happily ever after for future generations to follow.

Reported the Wall Street Journal in April 2023, "for many people, the idea of stopping work is a nonstarter-an inevitable path to boredom, ill health and a life devoid of meaning."

In this sequel to his Amazon bestseller Boundless Potential and the nationwide PBS-TV Special that it spawned, Peabody award-winning journalist and Fortune 100 management consultant Mark S. Walton crisscrossed the country, visiting with passionately unretired CEO's, Mayo clinic doctors, attorneys, neuroscientists, psychologists, financial experts, journalists and more, to chronicle their stories, share their lessons learned, and unpack the seismic trend that's changing the map of life.

Review Quotes

"Unretired will empower you to pursue joy in today's shifting workplace and have a positive impact on others in a chapter of life filled with unlimited potential. It's a treasure trove of personal stories, in-depth interviews and pragmatic advice with more than a dollop of inspiration!"

-KERRY HANNON, Yahoo Finance Senior Columnist and bestselling author of In Control at 50+ and Great Jobs for Everyone 50+.

"My goal was to retire at age 59. Mission accomplished! However, loss of identity and meaning was a real problem for me. Mark S. Walton's book, Unretired, explains why I, and so many others like me, feel the need to stay engaged. Read his book-it will show you how to successfully navigate the new world of unretirement!"

-KEVIN TROUT, Chair, Vistage Worldwide, host, Three Rivers Leadership podcast and owner, Grandview Insights LLC.

"Wow! What a great read. Kept me hungry for more. We've been told that all we need for a successful retirement is sufficient financial means, but it's a myth. This book tells the truth-what we need, no matter our age, is sufficient purpose and a sense of accomplishment. Unretired puts the spotlight where it belongs. Read this intelligent book and start planning how you will invest yourself going forward.

-MITCH ANTHONY, financial industry advisor, podcaster and author of The New Retirementality.

"What makes some of us want to keep working well past traditional retirement age? Mark Walton has studied and visited with people who keep on going, and discovered why they do it. The stories he tells and advice he provides in Unretired will help you think about your own life, career and plans for the future."

-MARK MILLER, New York Times contributing columnist and author, Retirement Reboot.

"To those considering retiring: Stop! Think long and hard. Mark S. Walton's book, Unretired, packed with psychology, neuroscience, practical guidance and scores of personal stories comes as a revelation. Read this book-you'll view your own life's potential with a fresh eye."

-BARBARA BRADLEY HAGERTY, New York Times bestselling, author of Fingerprints of God and contributing writer to The Atlantic.