On the job at 76, 82 & 92 ‘WORK KEEPS US YOUNG!’

Meet three women who don’t believe in retirement

While their peers may be contemplating life in a retirement home or at least having more time to put their feet up – more and more women are choosing to work well after 65.

Meet the SWASPs (Still Working at Seventy-Plus), who happily, it appears, are not just doing it to make ends meet but out of the enjoyment of social connection and having a purpose.

There are nearly 9000 New Zealand women over the age of 75 still working, with 2154 of those working full-time, according to Stats NZ figures.

The Weekly talks to three of them and finds out why retirement holds no appeal.

‘Something to get out of bed for’

Anna Reynolds had her first bra fitting at Smith and Caughey's in Auckland's Queen Street in the 1960s. She's now the one that fits them at the historic department store.

It's a full-time role the 76-year-old relishes - meeting new people every day and working with young university students who make her feel like she's still in her early twenties.

"I find working with them so uplifting... just like our products!" she laughs.

"They're fabulous, interesting girls who are studying everything from engineering and the arts to law and medicine. They're fun and they teach me so much."

Such as?

"Oh, you don't want to know! For me, it's fascinating to see how young women have changed from when I was their age.