Ever since I turned 60 in 2025, I have noticed a change in the conversations around me. Friends, colleagues, acquaintances—even people I barely know—seem increasingly curious about one thing: When are you going to retire?
Most often, the question is asked with good intentions. Sometimes it is simple curiosity. Other times, it feels as though there is an unspoken expectation that reaching a certain age automatically means it is time to step away from work and move on to the next chapter.
Yet retirement is not just about age. It is a deeply personal decision influenced by health, finances, family, goals, and perhaps most importantly, whether our work continues to bring us purpose and fulfillment.
What I find interesting is that in French, the word retraite can mean both retirement and retreat. While the two concepts are related, they are not quite the same. A retreat suggests stepping back for reflection, renewal, and perspective. Retirement, at least as it is often perceived, suggests stepping away for good.
Perhaps that is why I find myself thinking differently about this stage of life. Maybe the question is not whether I am ready to leave, but how I want to evolve. What do I want more of? What do I want less of?
What still inspires me?
For some people, retirement is a long-awaited freedom. For others, work remains a source of energy, connection, and contribution. There is no universal timetable, despite what the frequent questions might suggest.
So, when people ask me when I am going to retire, I am reminded that the answer is about much more than a date on a calendar. It is about purpose, choice, and defining this next chapter on my own terms.
After all, a retraite can be a departure—or it can simply be a moment to pause, reflect, and decide what comes next.
