For most people, the idea of retirement at 65 feels like a finish line. But for some Americans, especially in today’s economy, that finish line keeps moving. One such example is a 90-year-old Oklahoma man who still works four days a week at a convenience store just to make ends meet.
Despite a long career in construction and union leadership, a pension that hasn’t kept pace with inflation, and the rising costs of healthcare, housing, and everyday expenses have left him with little choice but to return to work.
A Lifetime of Work
Born in 1934 into a working-class family, he learned the value of hard work early. His father, a contractor, trained him in carpentry before passing away while he was still in high school. After serving in the Marine Corps, he worked his way up from journeyman carpenter to superintendent, spending two decades in the construction field.
In 1978, he joined the St. Louis District Council of Carpenters as a business representative, where he represented more than 12,000 members, negotiating contracts, pensions, and health benefits for others. For 20 years, he helped secure stability for thousands of workers.
But despite his efforts, his own retirement security has been fragile.
Retirement That Didn’t Last
He retired in the late 1990s, moved with his first wife to Missouri and then Florida, enjoying golf, church, and community life. But after his wife became ill, the couple returned to Oklahoma. When she passed away, he eventually remarried Deborah, who had also lost her longtime spouse.
At first, things seemed financially manageable. The couple had $50,000 in savings when they married in 2022. But after buying and furnishing a home, rising property taxes, and covering everyday costs, their nest egg evaporated within three years.
Their annual income — just over $100,000 between his pension and her Social Security — doesn’t stretch far. With monthly expenses topping $7,000 for housing, utilities, medical bills, car payments, and tithes, their savings are nearly gone.
“I just paid some bills and had to go into my savings account, which is down to $42,” he said.
Back to Work at 90
In mid-2024, after months of rejections likely due to his age, he applied at OnCue, a convenience store chain, and was hired after a 45-minute interview.
He now works Tuesday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at $14.90 an hour. His duties include preparing pizzas, quesadillas, burgers, and chicken bites for the grab-and-go counter, and helping clean up before the next shift.
The job is physically demanding, but he finds joy in it.
“It’s a pleasant job. I work with my supervisor and another lady, and we laugh and joke a lot,” he said.
When he turned 90, his company even threw him a party, with executives visiting from headquarters to celebrate. They also respect his age, keeping him away from ladder work and showing concern when he recently took time off for health reasons.
Hoping for Real Retirement
Though he still enjoys golf, church, and time in the garage, his real hope is to reach a point where he and Deborah no longer need to work. Travel to see their children and grandchildren feels like a luxury they can’t yet afford.
The biggest worry: what happens if his health declines.
“If my health doesn’t hold up, I don’t know what to do,” he admitted.
For now, he continues showing up to work, saving what little he can, and hoping the economy eases enough to give him the retirement he’s earned after nearly eight decades of working.
