2026 Osher Institutes National Conference

Christopher Farrell

Unretirement: Finding Purpose in the Next Chapter

Retirement is being rewritten. Today’s older adults are redefining what comes next, seeking purpose, connection, and continued contribution well beyond “traditional” retirement. Journalist and author Christopher Farrell explores the rise of “unretirement,” drawing on data, research, and stories to illuminate how Baby Boomers are reshaping later life. Farrell shares insights from his reporting and books, offering a deeper understanding of the motivations driving this shift and a fresh perspective on how lifelong learning programs can support purpose-driven engagement in this evolving stage of life.

Christopher Farrell
Senior economics contributor, Marketplace and Minnesota Public Radio
Author of Purpose and a Paycheck, Unretirement, The New Frugality
Columnist for PBS Next Avenue, Star Tribune, and host of the Office Hours podcast