Can you imagine reaching 86 years old and still having to work because your retirement doesn’t provide enough to live on? This is the case of Tom Mims, a resident of Alabama, who continues to work at the Piggly Wiggly supermarket. In response to this situation, his granddaughter, Candice Lash, started a donation campaign with the goal of raising enough money so that her grandfather could retire with dignity. This campaign has been very successful and has managed to raise a considerable amount.
Retirement age in the United States
The retirement age in the United States can vary depending on the beneficiary’s choice. As explained on the official Social Security Administration (SSA) website, “If you were born in 1960 or later, your full retirement age is 67. You can start receiving your Social Security retirement benefits at age 62, but the amount of the benefit you receive will be less than the full amount at your full retirement age.”
However, there are cases in which retirement is not requested until age 70, as it is the only way for the benefits received to remain without reductions. This creates a situation where older people have two options: to retire but struggle financially because they receive a smaller amount, or to keep working despite having done so all their life, with no other options if they want to make ends meet.
The case of Tom Mims
Tom Mims is an 86-year-old resident of Alabama who continues to work at a Piggly Wiggly supermarket. This is not a personal choice—since his heart problems and other age-related issues accompany him every day—but the only way he has to earn an income that allows him to get by. Faced with this situation, his granddaughter, Candice Lash, decided to launch a fundraising campaign with the goal of raising enough money so that her grandfather can retire with dignity.
In her statements to the Alabama Political Reporter, Lash explained that she did not know how her grandfather would react at first or if he would accept the money, but now he is the one asking every day how much has been raised. She publicly thanks the overwhelming support her campaign has received, but she cannot hide her concern for the number of Americans who are in the same situation as her grandfather. “I believe we must take care of our elders, because they are the ones who built the foundation for us” he said to the media.
Frequently asked questions
Why does Tom Mims continue working at 86 years old despite his health problems?
It’s not by personal choice, but out of financial necessity. Despite suffering from heart problems and other ailments typical of his age, his current retirement does not provide enough income to cover his basic needs, forcing him to stay active as an employee at a Piggly Wiggly supermarket in Alabama.
What does his granddaughter’s initiative to help him retire involve?
His granddaughter, Candice Lash, launched a fundraising campaign aimed at raising enough money for her grandfather to retire with dignity. Although she initially feared he would not accept the money, the campaign has been so successful that now it is Tom himself who daily checks on the progress of the funds raised.
How does the retirement age in the U.S. affect the amount of benefits received?
According to the Social Security Administration, the full retirement age is 67 for those born after 1960. Although it is possible to start claiming benefits at 62, this results in a permanent reduction in the monthly amount; to receive the full benefit without cuts, many people are forced to wait until 70 or continue working, as in the case of Tom.
