At 90, veteran broadcaster John Tusa could be forgiven for putting his feet up – but instead, he's still hard at work and calling for the word 'retirement' to be scrapped altogether. His stance highlights a reality many families are facing: the traditional idea of stopping work at 65 simply doesn't fit modern life anymore.
Mr Tusa's impressive career spans decades at the BBC, from presenting Newsnight in the 1980s and the One O'Clock News in the 1990s, to serving as Managing Director of the BBC World Service. Rather than winding down, he's challenging us all to rethink what growing older means in today's world.
His call comes as thousands of households across the UK wrestle with the reality that many people simply can't afford to stop working at traditional retirement age. Rising living costs, longer life expectancy, and concerns about pension pots mean more of us are working well into our 70s and beyond – not always by choice, but increasingly by necessity.
For many families, the idea of a complete stop to earning feels outdated. Whether it's grandparents taking on part-time roles to supplement their income, or professionals using decades of experience in flexible arrangements, the workforce is changing. Mr Tusa's continued activity proves that age doesn't have to mean stepping aside.
This shift opens up important conversations about how we support older workers – from flexible hours to retraining opportunities. It also raises crucial questions about what this means for household finances, caring responsibilities, and how we plan for the years ahead when the old rules no longer apply.