• Coskii@lemmy.blahaj.zone
    link
    fedilink
    arrow-up
    48
    ·
    8 months ago

    I mean… At least as a construction worker my retirement plan is three-fold. The trick is to survive long enough and well enough to enjoy retirement.

    The three are 401k, annuity, and the unheard of pension.

    Granted, I’m also on my fourth pulled back muscle for the year. I really need to stretch more.

    • AngryCommieKender@lemmy.world
      link
      fedilink
      arrow-up
      14
      ·
      edit-2
      8 months ago

      Don’t let your job be your only workout. Stretch daily, and then do low weight/high rep strength training in the gym a few times a week, to be stronger than you need to be for your job. You’ll stop pulling muscles so easily. I’m 43 and I don’t have even half the pain that most of the 30 year olds around here complain about.

    • Thanks4Nothing@lemm.ee
      link
      fedilink
      arrow-up
      7
      ·
      8 months ago

      That’s the thought that crossed my mind. As far as pay, it is being a good stable career option - the very physical trades tend to encounter a lot more injuries and physical consequences. I respect the heck out of the trades and I work with a lot of them on different things for work - but if you look at some of the older/close to retirement folks - physical ailments and shorter life expectancy is a real concern.

      Think of the “silent generation” and “baby boomers” you know that are getting up there in years. Everyone I have known that reached their 90s had fairly “cushy” desk jobs. The ones I knew who did skilled labor and trades work lived to their late 70s/early 80s.

      I think, at least in the US, that we are going to REALLY feel the decrease in trades like plumbers, electricians, etc. You can teach some trades much quicker when there is a need - but with licensing and such - its going to take time to turn that ship back on course.