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

02.06.2026 13:59 1 min 1 source
PLUS by gazzetta ELL
81-year-old American works seven days a week and lives in an RV due to insufficient pension savings
© PLUS by gazzetta

81-year-old American Richard Smith works without days off and lives in an RV because he cannot afford to retire. He spends half the year in a camper in New Hampshire, working as a night watchman at a campground and as a DoorDash courier. In winter, he lives in his own home in Florida.

According to sources, Smith and his wife live in an RV nearly 13 meters long at a campground, participating in a workamping program: they get a free site with utilities and sometimes a small salary. The financial troubles stem from an early marriage, family expenses, and failed pension investments in 2009. Smith's total debt is about $350,000, and his pension fund is only $20,000.

Context

According to the Pew Research Center, more and more Americans over 75 are forced to continue working due to insufficient pensions and rising living costs.

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81-year-old American works seven days a week and lives in a motorhome due to insufficient retirement savings

02.06.2026 PLUS by gazzetta ELL

🇺🇸 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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