Inspired not retired

If I told you there’s a good chance you’ll live to be 100 you might feel a flicker of delight, quickly followed by questions. Will I be healthy enough to enjoy those years? Will I still have my smarts? Will my money last? And perhaps most importantly: Will I still be doing meaningful work?

I’ve been talking to engineers who are thriving well past the “gold card” age of 65. These professionals, aged between 65 and 84, offer insights into how we can continue to work, contribute and grow in later life.

They’re not alone. A recent International Monetary Fund economic outlook includes a chapter on the “silver economy”, noting that older adults in wealthy countries are doing well physically and cognitively. In fact, cognitive performance is improving across generations, making “70 the new 53”, when comparing cohorts from the 2000s with those in the 2020s.

Who are these engineers?

Most of the engineers I spoke with are white men, a reflection of the demographics of their generation. However, the broader sample includes women and migrants, and future work will aim to better represent these voices. All of the Kiwi engineers had done their overseas experience, or OE, before the age of 30, a formative chapter that New Zealand research links to increased “mental openness”.

What drives career success after 65?

I used a career model developed by the University of Georgia’s Lillian Eby and colleagues, which tracked American university graduates. It focuses on three key factors, the first being what you know (skills and expertise). The second is who you know (networks and relationships) and third, why this work (why you are taking this direction in your career)? The conventional wisdom of what you need for career success is “it’s not only what you know, it’s who you know”. The “what” and “who” were two of the factors that Lillian Eby found mattered. But these researchers reasoned that in an increasingly complex world it is important to adapt and stay proactive, asking yourself: “Why am I doing this work in the light of what is going on in the world?”

The “why”, measured through the trait of “proactivity” (always looking for better ways to do things) turns out to be the most important of the three for career success. In a complex world, career success hinges on flexibility and initiative.

I asked engineers to reflect on their proactivity across three career stages: early, mid and recent. Most reported consistently high levels, though recent proactivity dipped slightly. Still, their self-perceived employability and career satisfaction remain strong.

What about AI?

A recent EG article by University of Canterbury academics found that nearly all engineering students are using generative AI. We might expect that these proactive engineers would be trying AI. Among my mature sample, a few use AI for research or report writing, but most haven’t yet integrated it into their work. This gap presents an opportunity, especially for those who pride themselves on always looking for better ways to do things.

Insights from the field

Some common themes emerged from my conversations, including work with people you like. One entrepreneur emphasised the joy of collaborating with colleagues who became lifelong friends. Another theme is to look beyond your employer. Many engineers found meaning through involvement with professional bodies, community groups and projects outside engineering. Another was the importance of staying versatile. People who worked in project-based environments valued the adaptability that comes with a “jobbing mentality”.

If you’re an engineer around retirement age, consider your own “why”. What new directions could your career take? How might you stay curious, connected and proactive? The silver economy is a growing reality where experienced professionals have a vital role to play.

Stewart Forsyth is a leadership coach and chartered organisational psychologist.

This article was first published in the December 2025 issue of EG magazine.