When I've asked my T if he is retiring (he's in his late 60's), he says "I have no plans to retire in the future, but as we know, the future is difficult to predict."

This is I think the crux of it. T use to tell me she didn't plan on going anywhere she planned to work until she was 80. If for some reason she decided to retire or stop working, I would be one of the first to know and I would have lots of notice. I know she had every intention of keeping that promise. Who would have thought her life would end so tragically at 68.