Wealth creation versus leisure

Of course, not all economic activity is either valued or measured. As always in economics, there are measurement problems and trade offs. Pensioners should be able to live comfortably and securely without having to work, i.e., create wealth, using their savings, pensions, and/or their investments. In addition, there are families and charities to supplement same.

In the following article, the good Walter Block reminds us that retirees re-entering the labor force is not the answer, primarily because they deserve and need 'leisure' at this point in their lives. The fact that there are over forty million Americans over the age of 65 is not a compelling argument for them to get back to work.

Retirees’ Re-Entering the Labor Market Isn’t ‘Good for the Economy’ - WSJ.pdf

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My greater concern is the absence of tens and tens of millions of Americans under the age of 65 who choose to not enter the labor market, in the face of more than ten million job openings and record resignations. Instead, we pay them to maintain their leisurely condition, consuming wealth and producing none. This is not sustainable.