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81-year-old American lives in RV and works seven days a week due to debt and insufficient pension

09.06.2026 10:21 1 min 3 sources
El Periódico SPA + 2 more
81-year-old American lives in RV and works seven days a week due to debt and insufficient pension
© El Periódico

In Brief

Richard Smith, 81, and his wife live in a 13-meter RV and work through the workamping program to cover $350,000 in debt with only $20,000 in their pension fund. This reflects a growing trend among older Americans.

81-year-old American Richard Smith and his wife live in a 13-meter RV and work seven days a week to make ends meet. The couple uses the workamping system: they spend winters in Florida and summers at a campground in New Hampshire, receiving a free site with electricity and water, and sometimes a small salary.

Richard works as a night watchman and DoorDash courier; his wife cleans cabins and the laundry. They have accumulated about $350,000 in debt due to early family obligations and poor investments, with only $20,000 in their pension fund and no savings.

According to the Pew Research Center, this is part of a growing trend among Americans over 75 who are forced to continue working due to insufficient pensions and rising living costs.

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Story sources

81-year-old American lives in motorhome due to insufficient pension

03.06.2026 El Periódico SPA Original source

81-year-old US retiree forced to live in motorhome due to debt

03.06.2026 El Debate SPA Original source

81-year-old American lives in motorhome due to insufficient retirement savings

02.06.2026 Diario AS SPA Original source

🇺🇸 United States — fuel prices

Updated: 13.06.2026

Diesel

$1.43 /l

€1.23 · £1.06/l

53 of 132

cheaper than 61% of countries

Petrol

$1.09 /l

€0.94 · £0.81/l

32 of 134

cheaper than 77% of countries

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