At 90, he should be enjoying retirement—instead, he’s stocking shelves to stay afloat
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Retirement is often pictured as a well-earned rest after decades of hard work, but for many older Americans, that dream is slipping away.
Rising costs, stagnant pensions, and mounting bills are forcing some seniors back into the workforce.
For one 90-year-old Oklahoma man, the reality of today’s economy means his days are still spent on the job.
His story reflects the struggles of a generation that believed they had planned enough, only to find the math no longer works.
Vince Scidone worked for decades, first as a carpenter and then as a union representative, before retiring in 1998 with a fixed pension.
At the time, he expected that steady income to provide stability, but nearly three decades later, the numbers don’t add up.
“Twenty-seven years later, everything has escalated in price, so the money I was receiving over 20 years ago isn’t adequate for today’s economy,” he told Business Insider.
Despite his long career, he now earns $14.90 an hour working part-time at a convenience store just to keep up.
Vince and his wife, Deborah, live on a combined annual income of $104,000, which includes her Social Security benefits, yet their monthly expenses reach nearly $7,000.
Medical bills, property taxes, utilities, a mortgage, and even church tithes consume nearly everything they bring in.
“We’re not saving anything,” he said, describing how their $50,000 in savings disappeared within three years of buying a home in 2022.
The rising property taxes alone jumped from $2,000 to over $5,000 annually, draining what little cushion they once had.
Also read: Could your retirement plans handle a 24% Social Security cut in 2032?
After three months of searching for work, Vince was finally hired at a convenience store chain, where he prepares food for the grab-and-go bar.
He works four days a week, five hours each shift, and although he doesn’t handle customers, he says the job keeps him moving and connected.
“It’s a pleasant job,” he explained, noting that his coworkers often share laughter during their shifts. The company even celebrated his 90th birthday, showing him support and making adjustments to protect his health.
While he enjoys the routine, Vince still dreams of resting fully one day and traveling with Deborah to see their children and grandchildren.
Also read: Lawmakers push to safeguard Social Security as funding concerns grow
“I’d love for us both to be able to retire and take a trip to see our children and grandchildren, which wouldn’t be expensive,” he said.
With just $42 left in savings and bills continuing to rise, however, retirement seems out of reach for now.
“We’re just playing it by ear and trying to make things last longer,” he admitted, a sobering reminder of how fragile financial security can be.
Read next: One 79-year-old made this Social Security mistake and now lives on just $92—don’t let it happen to you
Do you think pensions and Social Security should be adjusted more aggressively for inflation so seniors aren’t forced back into the workforce? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
Rising costs, stagnant pensions, and mounting bills are forcing some seniors back into the workforce.
For one 90-year-old Oklahoma man, the reality of today’s economy means his days are still spent on the job.
His story reflects the struggles of a generation that believed they had planned enough, only to find the math no longer works.
Vince Scidone worked for decades, first as a carpenter and then as a union representative, before retiring in 1998 with a fixed pension.
At the time, he expected that steady income to provide stability, but nearly three decades later, the numbers don’t add up.
“Twenty-seven years later, everything has escalated in price, so the money I was receiving over 20 years ago isn’t adequate for today’s economy,” he told Business Insider.
Despite his long career, he now earns $14.90 an hour working part-time at a convenience store just to keep up.
At 90, he should be enjoying retirement—instead, he’s stocking shelves to stay afloat. Image source: Fikri Rasyid / Unsplash
Vince and his wife, Deborah, live on a combined annual income of $104,000, which includes her Social Security benefits, yet their monthly expenses reach nearly $7,000.
Medical bills, property taxes, utilities, a mortgage, and even church tithes consume nearly everything they bring in.
“We’re not saving anything,” he said, describing how their $50,000 in savings disappeared within three years of buying a home in 2022.
The rising property taxes alone jumped from $2,000 to over $5,000 annually, draining what little cushion they once had.
Also read: Could your retirement plans handle a 24% Social Security cut in 2032?
After three months of searching for work, Vince was finally hired at a convenience store chain, where he prepares food for the grab-and-go bar.
He works four days a week, five hours each shift, and although he doesn’t handle customers, he says the job keeps him moving and connected.
“It’s a pleasant job,” he explained, noting that his coworkers often share laughter during their shifts. The company even celebrated his 90th birthday, showing him support and making adjustments to protect his health.
While he enjoys the routine, Vince still dreams of resting fully one day and traveling with Deborah to see their children and grandchildren.
Also read: Lawmakers push to safeguard Social Security as funding concerns grow
“I’d love for us both to be able to retire and take a trip to see our children and grandchildren, which wouldn’t be expensive,” he said.
With just $42 left in savings and bills continuing to rise, however, retirement seems out of reach for now.
“We’re just playing it by ear and trying to make things last longer,” he admitted, a sobering reminder of how fragile financial security can be.
Read next: One 79-year-old made this Social Security mistake and now lives on just $92—don’t let it happen to you
