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You may have more working years ahead of you than you think — and that can be a good thing. In this episode, personal finance expert and author Kerry Hannon joins the Retirement Navigator Podcast to talk about what she calls the longevity economy: the growing reality that many people retiring today could have 25 to 30 years of life ahead of them, often without enough savings to cover it.

Kerry walks us through what that means for your retirement income, your career options, and your sense of purpose. Whether you are still in the workforce and want to stay there, looking to start something new, or trying to figure out how to stretch a fixed income, this conversation offers clear, practical guidance you can act on.

This episode is especially helpful if you have ever felt behind on retirement planning or wondered whether it is too late to make a change. Kerry's message is clear: it is not too late, and you have more to offer than you may realize.

Key Topics Covered

The longevity economy explained — why longer lifespans are changing the way we think about retirement income, work, and financial planning

Starting a second-act career — how people 55 and older are launching new careers, small businesses, and meaningful work they love

Three pillars of a successful career transition — financial fitness, physical health, and inner soul-searching, and how each one supports the others

Staying relevant in the workplace — practical ways to fight ageism, embrace new technology including AI, and keep your skills current

How to use AI tools as an older worker — simple, low-pressure ways to start exploring tools like ChatGPT without feeling overwhelmed

Remote work and flexible jobs — where to find legitimate work-from-home opportunities and how the remote work landscape has settled since the pandemic

How to find a financial advisor you can trust — what a fee-only CFP is, why fiduciary responsibility matters, and free tools to get started on your own

LinkedIn for seniors and job seekers — why your LinkedIn profile matters even if you are not actively job hunting, and simple ways to stay visible

Physical health as a financial strategy — why staying healthy is one of the most important things you can do to protect your retirement savings and reduce future medical costs

Who This Episode Is For

This episode is a good fit for you if you are:

• Approaching retirement and realizing your savings may not stretch as far as you hoped.
• In your 50s or 60s and wondering whether a career change is still realistic.
• Currently working and noticing signs of age discrimination or being passed over.
• Out of the workforce — due to caregiving, health, or a layoff — and thinking about re-entering.
• Living on a fixed income or Social Security and looking for ways to supplement it.
• Simply curious about what a fulfilling second chapter could look like for you.

Why This Matters Now

Social Security was never designed to fund a 30-year retirement. With the full retirement age at 66 or 67, and many people living well into their 80s and 90s, the financial math has changed — even if the planning conversations have not caught up. Out-of-pocket medical costs in retirement can reach six figures, and that number does not include assisted care. The earlier you start thinking about income, skills, and health, the more options you will have.

If this episode got you thinking, we would love to have you along for more. Subscribe to the Retirement Navigator Podcast so you never miss an episode, and if you found this helpful, consider sharing it with a friend or family member who might need to hear it.

And remember what Kerry said at the end: Just take that first step. There is no perfect path, and there is no right or wrong way to do this. You have more time, more skills, and more options than you may think.

About Kerry Hannon

Kerry Hannon is a leading expert on careers, entrepreneurship, personal finance, and retirement, with more than three decades of experience covering the changing world of work. 

• She is a senior columnist and on-air expert for Yahoo Finance and has written for major outlets including Forbes, The New York Times, Money, and USA Today.
• Kerry is the bestselling author of 14 books, including In Control at 50+, Great Jobs for Everyone 50+, and Never Too Old to Get Rich. 
• Her work focuses on helping adults 50+ navigate career transitions, retirement, financial security, entrepreneurship, and finding meaningful work later in life.
• Kerry has testified before the U.S. Senate on older workers and the future of retirement work, and she is widely recognized as a trusted voice on the realities of working longer.
• Through her writing, speaking, and media appearances, Kerry helps people rethink aging, retirement, and what’s possible in the second half of life. 

Connect with Kerry:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kerryhannon/
Website: KerryHannon.com
Yahoo Finance: search "Kerry Hannon" on Yahoo Finance for articles on retirement, Social Security, Medicare, and more

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