I agree with Rebecca, and I also really appreciated the thoughtful points from Julia Wise and DenkerBerger.
I wanted to add a few personal reflections, replying to your post and your comment.
In practice, I don’t think EA funders are likely to provide ongoing grants to people whose productivity has significantly declined. Funding is usually tied to impact, not years of service. That’s why I think it’s our personal responsibility to prepare for retirement, rather than expecting the movement to support us later in life.
I used to think similarly to you — that climate change or other global risks might make saving for retirement pointless. But when I looked more closely at the data, I realised that’s not certain at all. I started contributing to a pension and found it can actually be very tax-efficient (in the UK, it can save up to nearly 50% of what you’d otherwise pay in tax).
If you start early, you don’t need to contribute much — even 3–5% can make a big difference over time, plus your workplace is likely to match it, so it’s “free money”. I regret not starting sooner because now I have to contribute more to catch up.
I also agree with Julia that life can change a lot as you age. You may want to help a family member or do an unpaid project you are passionate about. Also, when you’re older, health issues or other needs may come up more often. My father-in-law recently needed a £16k hip replacement and had to remortgage his house to pay for it. Having savings for unexpected expenses like that can be life-changing.
Another reason I want to be financially stable in later life is that it gives me more freedom to choose how to make an impact — for example, mentoring younger people, helping a new charity get started, or volunteering on my own terms.
I know it can feel discouraging to think about aging or being less productive, but many people find new ways to contribute meaningfully later in life. Having some financial security can make that easier and less stressful.
Some people may be able to rely on family support or inheritance, but for most of us, starting early with small pension contributions may be a good choice.
I agree with Rebecca, and I also really appreciated the thoughtful points from Julia Wise and DenkerBerger.
I wanted to add a few personal reflections, replying to your post and your comment.
In practice, I don’t think EA funders are likely to provide ongoing grants to people whose productivity has significantly declined. Funding is usually tied to impact, not years of service. That’s why I think it’s our personal responsibility to prepare for retirement, rather than expecting the movement to support us later in life.
I used to think similarly to you — that climate change or other global risks might make saving for retirement pointless. But when I looked more closely at the data, I realised that’s not certain at all. I started contributing to a pension and found it can actually be very tax-efficient (in the UK, it can save up to nearly 50% of what you’d otherwise pay in tax).
If you start early, you don’t need to contribute much — even 3–5% can make a big difference over time, plus your workplace is likely to match it, so it’s “free money”. I regret not starting sooner because now I have to contribute more to catch up.
I also agree with Julia that life can change a lot as you age. You may want to help a family member or do an unpaid project you are passionate about. Also, when you’re older, health issues or other needs may come up more often. My father-in-law recently needed a £16k hip replacement and had to remortgage his house to pay for it. Having savings for unexpected expenses like that can be life-changing.
Another reason I want to be financially stable in later life is that it gives me more freedom to choose how to make an impact — for example, mentoring younger people, helping a new charity get started, or volunteering on my own terms.
I know it can feel discouraging to think about aging or being less productive, but many people find new ways to contribute meaningfully later in life. Having some financial security can make that easier and less stressful.
Some people may be able to rely on family support or inheritance, but for most of us, starting early with small pension contributions may be a good choice.