Why are You Still Working?
Mon Feb 02 2026
Andrew Rosen, CFP®, CEP, writes in a Kiplinger article how to walk through several common reasons people keep working — even as retirement comes into view.
Rather than looking at money first, the author looks at motivation and breaks it into five broad categories:
Category 1: I must keep working
Category 2: I probably should keep working
Category 3: I want to keep working
Category 4: I'm afraid to retire
Category 5: I don't know why I'm still working
The author suggests borrowing from a concept by Artiste called "First Principles Thinking". Listen in for the answer.
Also, our listener Maria asks about the timing of your first RMD (Required Minimum Distribution): "If we want to skip our 1st RMD and take two the following year, how does that work?"
Resource:
Article by Andrew Rosen, CFP® in Kiplinger's "Why Are You Still Working?"
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Andrew Rosen, CFP®, CEP, writes in a Kiplinger article how to walk through several common reasons people keep working — even as retirement comes into view. Rather than looking at money first, the author looks at motivation and breaks it into five broad categories: Category 1: I must keep working Category 2: I probably should keep working Category 3: I want to keep working Category 4: I'm afraid to retire Category 5: I don't know why I'm still working The author suggests borrowing from a concept by Artiste called "First Principles Thinking". Listen in for the answer. Also, our listener Maria asks about the timing of your first RMD (Required Minimum Distribution): "If we want to skip our 1st RMD and take two the following year, how does that work?" Resource: Article by Andrew Rosen, CFP® in Kiplinger's "Why Are You Still Working?" Connect with Benjamin Brandt Subscribe to the This Week in Retirement: http://thisweekinretirement.com Get the Retire-Ready Toolkit: http://retirementstartstodayradio.com Work with Benjamin: https://retirementstartstoday.com/start Follow Retirement Starts Today in: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Overcast, Pocket Casts, Amazon Music, or iHeart Get the book! Retirement Starts Today: Your Non-financial Guide to an Even Better Retirement