Why People Stay Engaged When They No Longer Have To
Nick Costides
Board Director and Advisor to Public and Privately Funded Companies | Retired Global President of IT at UPS
For nearly 40 years, I built my career in leadership roles where my title and brand felt like part of my identity. But growing up, my family lived under the financial poverty line. Watching my parents struggle instilled in me a deep-seated drive, not just to succeed, but to escape scarcity and create stability. That poverty consciousness shaped how I viewed work and purpose for much of my life.
When I finally stepped away from my full-time operating role, I thought I’d have the freedom to focus solely on family, hobbies, and the personal passions I’d long put aside. But instead of freedom, I found myself still pulled into business, boardrooms, mentoring, investing, advising. That tug wasn’t about money. It was something deeper, something I hadn’t fully understood about who I was without that engagement.
Curious and admittedly unsettled, I set out on a journey of self-reflection. I talked with about three dozen peers in a local coffee shop… friends and former colleagues who faced the same question: When you no longer need to work, why do you keep doing it? In parallel, I launched a survey that gathered insights from 85 high achievers who, could have stepped away but chose to stay engaged.
What I discovered surprised me. It wasn’t just about financial security or legacy. The answers spoke to connection, purpose, intellectual curiosity, and the human need to belong. And it became clear that for many work is more than a paycheck—it’s a lifeline.
Most of those I spoke with, and those who responded to the survey came from modest means. Nearly half described their childhood as “blue collar middle class” or “humble beginnings.” Many grew up watching their parents work hard simply to get by, which set a foundation where work was survival, not choice.
Yet now, as retirees or semi-retirees, money was rarely the motivator. Only one person in the survey mentioned finances as a reason to keep working. Instead, the drive was to stay mentally sharp and socially connected. Around 80% said they loved learning new things, and two-thirds said they genuinely love what they do.
Many spoke of purpose and being part of something bigger than themselves. Serving on nonprofit boards, mentoring entrepreneurs, advising leaders, or investing with personal capital gave them a sense of contribution and belonging. The coffee shop conversations echoed this: work kept people connected with like-minded peers, filling a social need many hadn’t realized would grow so keen after leaving full-time roles.
There was, however, an undercurrent of loneliness, especially among men. Research shows that high-performing men in their later years often face emotional challenges and isolation as their social circles shrink and they lose the daily routine work provided. For many, continuing to work or engage in volunteer roles becomes crucial not just for purpose but for emotional health.
A poignant moment came from my appliance guy, a sharp 64-year-old who left Russia in the 1990s. When I asked why he still worked, he said, “In Russia, we work to survive. Retirement isn’t something we think about, you just keep working until you can’t.” There was no bitterness, just a practical acceptance shaped by his life experience. For him and many others stopping isn’t natural. The need to move, to stay useful and engaged, persists long after the paycheck ends.
Work also provides structure. Many respondents admitted they value the routine and discipline work demands. It gives rhythm to their days and a reason to engage with the world beyond themselves.
Others view business and volunteer activities as hobbies or passions. Skill-based volunteering, board service, and mentoring offer joy and the satisfaction of helping others succeed. Giving back is both rewarding and a meaningful way to use decades of experience.
Still, stepping away completely is one of the hardest things to do… not because of fear or emptiness, but because the spark that fueled these high performers doesn’t just switch off. For many, work isn’t just a job. It’s part of their DNA and the way they connect, contribute, and stay fully engaged in life.
This isn’t about clinging to status or denying age. It’s about curiosity, challenge, and the joy of staying in the game. Work offers them purpose, connection, and the chance to keep making a difference. It keeps their minds sharp, their relationships rich, and their days meaningful.
In the end, for people like this, stopping isn’t even a question. They don’t keep working because they have to, they keep working because they get to. Because staying active, relevant, and useful isn’t a duty. It’s a privilege. And it’s how they choose to keep writing the next chapters of their lives.
In the end, high performers don’t keep working because they have to: they keep working because they want to.
Summary of the survey:
Full Survey Questions and Responses (n=85)
When were you born?
Prior to taking this survey, have you reflected on why you continue to engage in work or business at this stage of life?
Where do you currently live?
Highest level of education achieved?
Marital Status?
Do you have children or grandchildren?
Do you have pets?
Do you live near close friends and relatives?
What activities are you engaged in currently that are business related in nature? (Multiple selections allowed)
Why do you think you still engage in business activities? (Multiple selections allowed)
Do you feel a strong sense of purpose in your current business-related activities?
What do you believe your parents’ financial status was when you were growing up?
How would you define your last fulltime operating role?
During your fulltime career prior to retirement or exit, did you:
If you could no longer participate in business-related activities, how would you feel?
Does your work keep you socially engaged with like-minded individuals?
Do you actively participate in hobbies or personal interests?
Do you consider yourself fit or healthy for your age?
Do you exercise regularly?
How many hours a night do you sleep?
Do you enjoy watching or participating in sports?
Do you identify as religious, spiritual, or neither?
How do you feel? (Multiple selections allowed)
Do you volunteer regularly?
Does your volunteer engagement resemble work? (Multiple selections allowed)
Serve on nonprofit board of advisors/directors: 36%
Strategic HR Leader | Leader of People Operations | Human Resources Manager | Human Resources Director | Turning People Strategy into Business Success
3dNick, your article resonates with me as I think of my mother (passed away in 2020) who wasn't an executive, but a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN). When she "retired", she seemed to be busier than she was when she was working. She served at church, lead social clubs, and volunteered for different organizations. When asked why she "worked" so much after retiring, she shared that she wanted to give back and be a help to others. I have much respect for all those who retire but choose to fulfill their purpose and be of help to others. Excellent article. Thanks for sharing.
Co-founder and CEO Intelligis Technologies
3dThanks for sharing Nick, so true and honest!!
💡 Great insights to life after the milestone of “retirement”. Great information for us who are contemplating what comes next.
President and Chief Executive Officer at Points of Light
5dSuch a powerful reflection! Thanks for sharing honest insight. We’re grateful to have you on our board and in our corner.