Micro-retirement becoming more popular among younger employees

A new concept is slowly gaining traction in the workplace called micro-retirement. Rather than waiting until 60 to retire some workers in their 20s and 30s are opting to take extended vacations now to do things like travel or pursue a passion project. Executive Coach Liz Bentley explains the phenomenon.

[ppiriou]

Many of my friends passed away short of their 60th birthdays... Don't wait for retirement to travel and enjoy life. The sooner you can travel, the cheaper it will be for you to travel. No need to take a comfortable bus tour with the AC at $100, when you can take a public bus for $2 and stand up for an hour to go to the same place.

[phuongha]

It's also called being layoff or fired from work.

[mandisaw]

That's not a micro-retirement. That's a sabbatical, if your job is still available, or unemployment, if not. Employers often don't care what you were doing during long breaks, even if it was caregiving or running your own business.

[x-men-]

It only works with rich people. Most people live paycheck by paycheck

[BurnaBwoi]

I just took two months off of work and it was the best thing I've every done.
Also don't be afraid to talk to your doctor about writing a note recommending it for your mental health

[Billclint-if]

I believe the retirement crisis will get even worse. Many struggle to save due to low wages, rising prices, and exorbitant rents. With homeownership becoming unattainable for middle-class Americans, they may not have a home to rely on for retirement either.

[OscarOwenn]

I just got fired, and I'm 39 years old. Now that I have 425K saved for an early retirement at age 50, 10K in an HSA, and a property that could yield an extra 200K, what possibilities do I have for a steady stream of income?

[MaxEvans-czno]

I think this may be another case where a new label is attached to an old practice (micro-retirement) and suddenly it becomes regarded as a new trend. People have always taken time off work to raise children or travel though perhaps there is more a desire to do so than in the past. If you have an overall plan to land on your feet then maybe this can work out.

[Gravesend]

Sounds like it’s possible for people who are more affluent. Have huge gaps in your resume and come back and get the same pay?

[NoaLv]

The "micro-retirement" is quite common in a seasonal jobs like roadwork... [Europe]
Basically you grind your gears till winter, and then take "sick leave" for 2 months + vacation. So basically sick leave income + vacation money + savings from 10 months of grinding.

[made]

Micro retirement!!
It’s called the weekend !!! good luck on taking a six year hiatus these rich people killing me😂😂😂

[dquan]

We should advocate for legislation allowing sabbaticals similar to maternity or paternity leave. You should not have to have a child to take an extended break. Could be paid or unpaid leave, up to the company. But the key is to preserve your job so you can come back to it after say 6-10 weeks.

[-.TS.-]

With the tech boom we work almost 24/7. I work 8am-10pm on a regular date and then do research for my work after. Weekends are non existent. Most professions this is what you need to stay competitive.

[raulecreuset]

I did this from 21 years old to 34 it was celled differently before- a bummer. But it gave me so much drive to be the best in my field- now im making $2500 a week. Looking back i never realize that bummer is gonna make it

[katherinelangford]

It's a sabbatical. My friend who is a teacher in a few years can apparently apply for this, and take upto a year off I believe, and then come back with no penalty. The issue of course being money. Theyd have to save up over these years leading up to when they are eligible to take that much time off if that whole financial plan to win the lottery doesnt work out.

[robd]

Sounds good until you jump back into the job market and cannot find a job because you been out of the workforce for so long. Also this isn’t a move I would make in my 50s. Age discrimination is real and a so called micro retirement just might turn into forced retirement.

[sbkpilot]

good luck getting a job after micro retirement. If you tell your next job you went into micro retirement they are going to tell you to stay there.

[reeeech]

just watched another video stating employers are firing 75% of gen z! lol.... yeah you go ahead and take your extended vacation. don't expect a job when you come back. that retirement will be permanent!

[HumptyMcFly]

We use to call that long periods of unemployment but go off

[Wong-Jack-Man]

Microretirement is more like retiring from a career and taking a part time leisure job to keep you moving and lunch money.