I’m 90, Still Work, & Get $1,100 Social Security but Have Few Worries

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with June Boyd, 90, who lives in Toledo, Ohio. Boyd works as a director’s assistant for a community development nonprofit that helps people 55 and older find work. Boyd doesn’t have much in savings, though she isn’t worried about her future. Her words have been edited for length and clarity.

My career has been wonderful. In 1953, I was the first African American to graduate from one of Toledo’s premier high schools. I also attended a couple of years of college studying business but didn’t graduate.

The main basis of my happiness has been politics. In 1958, I was the first African American to work in the county commissioner’s office in Lucas County. I started volunteering there and got a job in the office in 1959. I was employed there for six years.

After a long career in politics and real estate, I’m still working at 90 because I need the money.

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Politics is everything, whether it’s the newspaper, the hospital, or the school board

I was able to get many people jobs because of the connections and power that the county commissioners had. I then went on to be a board member at the Lucas County Board of Elections.

I was the first African American female board member out of 88 counties in Ohio. I served in that position for eight years and helped oversee the election process from start to finish, like recruiting booth officials.

I was later employed at Toledo’s affirmative action office, where I worked with people with disabilities and those facing discrimination issues.

Throughout my career in politics, I was also selling real estate

I was divorced and was raising two children alone. I got my real-estate license in 1966, but I couldn’t afford to wait until I got a commission. I needed a paycheck every two weeks, so I worked two jobs.

I had to get custody of my granddaughter and then my great-grandson while I was becoming a senior citizen. I recognized that in deciding to help my family, I had to keep working.

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I’ve always been employed, and the only time I was unemployed was during the COVID-19 pandemic. I was always willing to do any job that I felt I could make an honest living in. I’ve never had any thoughts about stopping or retiring when I couldn’t afford to.

I get a Social Security check of $1,100 each month

Many of the jobs that I had with the city and county were through the state’s Public Employees’ Retirement System. Usually, you have to put 30 years in before you can retire and get a retirement check. I never accumulated 30 years and came short with about 27.

Instead of letting my pension accumulate, I would spend it because I needed it for things like a new car, tuition for my kids, and other expenses that negated my ability to save that money. If I could’ve afforded it, I would’ve kept my pension in escrow.

Technically, I blew that money, but I have no regrets.

I work for a nonprofit called PathStone

The program recruits residents who are 55 and over who need additional income. They’re put into a training program, and while looking for employment, we train them to update their computer skills.

I was hired as the director’s assistant, working 24 hours a week. Given the major discrimination based on ageism in the workplace, my basic obligation is to contact prospective employers who may want to employ people 55 and over.

However, I haven’t earned anything since early July. I thought the budget had already been approved through 2026, but we’re waiting for someone to take care of some details and let us get back to work. It’s been really difficult.

I’m probably one of the most active senior citizens in my community

I’m very involved with my parish, where I’m a Eucharistic minister and elector. I also serve on the parish council.

I’m still politically active. I organized a democratic business and professional women’s club. I’m on the Democratic Party’s executive committee, and I’m one of the oldest members.

For my coming book, “Reflections of a Liberal Politician (Who Believes In Work),” I’m writing a chapter on aging. The first sentence is that I can tell you about the past, but you can’t tell me about the future — plain and simple.

I live a spiritual life. I’ve had so many positive things in my life, and that’s what makes me happy now.

I’m struggling financially, though

I get about $1,100 a month in salary from PathStone and then my $1,100 in Social Security. If I had worked solely in the private sector and not been diverted to the Public Employees’ Retirement System, I’d probably be getting double that.

Seniors don’t get a discount on utility bills, auto insurance, mortgages, or other bills. After I cover my expenses, there’s not a lot of money left. Practical things like grocery shopping or getting gasoline in my car are expensive. I’ve got 14 great-grandchildren now, and I tend to help the family.

I have no doubt that my family and friends would look out for me

I have family living with me in my six-bedroom home, and they pay rent. My daughter and granddaughter both live here, and my grandson and his significant other live upstairs.

There’s a lot of love and happiness here. I get my own satisfaction out of letting these children know how good life can be.

I could also get into a senior residential facility where you’re only charged for a percentage of your income. Right now, I have no doubts about my future, and if I’m unable to work, I know my children will look out for me.

I have relatively good health. I suffer from chronic sinus problems and have high blood pressure, but I consider myself blessed. Even my doctor says instead of 90, I probably look 62 age-wise.

I plan on working as long as my health permits.