The Anti-Desk Job Retirement: How My Dad Ditched Insurance for Bacon and Beers
My dad recently hit the ultimate career milestone: retirement. After 30 long years of selling insurance, he hung up his suit at 65. He was done with the desk, done with the sitting, and frankly, done with the feeling that he was just "working for The Man."
He began his career feeling like he was genuinely helping people, but somewhere along the way, that feeling faded. So, when he finally had the chance to leave, he took it—and hasn't looked back.
"Toward the end, I wasn't sure if I would miss it or not," he told me. "But it turns out I didn't miss it at all."
Now, over a year into retirement, his life looks completely different—and he's happier than ever. He didn't stop working entirely; he just traded the corporate grind for two part-time gigs that keep him busy, active, and social.
From Annuities to Snack Sticks: A New Kind of Customer Service
A week after retiring, he landed his first "fun" job: working in customer service at a local meat market.
His duties? Processing, packaging, and selling fresh cuts of meat. He packages everything from thick-cut bacon to savory snack sticks and even bones for broth.
"Maybe people give them to their dogs, I don't know what they do with the bones, I just bag them," he laughed.
These jobs allow him to be on his feet and interacting with the community. While he now receives Social Security and an annuity from his insurance career, his hourly wage helps pay the bills and provides the "extras." You know, the good stuff: spoiling his grandkids, taking the family out to dinner, or funding those weekend trips with my mom.
🍻 Flexibility is the Real Perk
My dad's second gig is the perfect complement: he works at a local eating club, pouring drinks and opening beers. The best part? Most of the patrons are already his friends.
"I know everybody's name who walks through the door," he said. "There are only a few that were new, and now I've gotten to know them, too."
The key to this successful, active retirement? The power to set his own schedule.
Each week, he texts his boss a picture of his preferred schedule, which varies between 20-25 hours. With the company being busy, they are happy to take what they can get. This flexibility is everything to him.
"That's the beauty of it — I come home, and I'm chillaxing for two and a half hours," he shared. "I sit in my chair and just chill, so that helps a lot. I'm pretty blessed making it work for my schedule."
Standing Tall and Staying Active
As a former marathon runner, staying healthy is a priority, and he much prefers standing to the decades of sitting he endured.
"I'm up on my feet versus sitting all day," he explained. "Sometimes I stand in one place and work, but it's good for me to be upright."
He even bought thick foam shoes—he calls them his "two-inch soles"—to keep his feet and back comfortable. He knows that staying active, moving, and seeing different faces is his recipe for a happy, healthy retirement.
His philosophy is simple:
"For as long as I enjoy it and I'm physically able to work, I'll keep doing it... It keeps me busy, and I like seeing everyone; it's fun."
My dad's story is a great reminder that retirement doesn't have to mean a sudden stop. It can be a pivot—a chance to leave behind the things that drain you and embrace work that keeps you active, social, and feeling connected.