Perhaps, but not everyone can/wants to retire at 59. It's not that old, perhaps he still has kids in college. Plenty of people actually like to work and want to, well into their 60s and 70s. This is not like years past, when you were more than likely going to be dead by 65 or 70. Many are living well into their 90s and beyond. 30-40 years of retirement takes ALOT of money and is a long time to remain idle, as well.