21 years after he came out of a 'boring' retirement, he's at the peak of his career
Michael Benns is still working as a real estate agent at 81. He turns 82 in July.
Who says life can't start after 80?
Michael Benns, a real estate salesperson in West Auckland, is at the peak of his career after coming out of a "boring retirement" 21 years ago.
Benns was one of only 4400 people aged over 80 in New Zealand still holding down a full time job, according to Stats NZ.
He worked seven days week, closing million dollar sales and winning top awards for real estate company Barfoot & Thompson.
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There were no signs of slowing down for the former fighter pilot of the Royal Air Force.
Benns says he has no plans to retire again.
In fact, after winning the top salesperson award for his Henderson branch this year for the eighth time, Benns continued to set his sights on more regional and national awards.
"There's no date set for retirement. They will probably take me out in a box," Benns said.
"They say there's only two things you can guarantee in life, taxes and death – I challenge one of them. You certainly can't win with taxes."
Benns had a great retirement plan at 55. He gave up managing five investment companies for a quiet life at a beach house in Tahiti.
Retirement was bliss, or so he thought.
"I started to wake up feeling bored, I had been managing businesses this whole time and suddenly I had nothing to do."
Rheumatism also kicked in and Benns knew he had to get back on his feet.
He deliberately chose real estate because he wanted something to do a few days a week.
But for a man who once lived life in the fast lane, racing in international motor races like the Dutch Rally and Monte Carlo Grand Prix, a part-time job was never going to work.
"I quickly realised three months into the job that that wasn't going to be the case. I work seven days a week now and I don't regret it."
Stats NZ figures revealed only 3100 men and 1300 women aged over 80 worked full time jobs in New Zealand.
The numbers were much higher for the 70-74 age range – 43,900 people were working, while 16,700 people worked in the 75-79 age range.
Age Concern accredited visiting service coordinator Sue Campin said they had a lot of volunteers aged from 65 to 90 that still volunteer.
Benns said coming out of retirement was the best decision he made.
He took the occasional holidays with his family but the great-grandfather of five preferred keeping busy than staying home.
"Maybe some of the others over 80s should get back to work, I think they will live longer."
His secret? Regular medical checkups to "pick up any edges and fix them before it becomes a problem" and a healthy mind, he said.
"It's a state of mind thing isn't it? I always believed that if you didn't like what you're doing, change it."
- Stuff
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