re: The Concept of a Planned Death

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As I've gotten older and am now approaching my 40s and middle age this is something I've thought about more. Why is the concept of a planned death so appalling to people? Why are people so against this?

And when I say a planned death I don't mean s*icide. That is a death that is without dignity, without family members around you and typically quite painful since you are doing it yourself.

I know we've talked about it before on this board. Would you want to live forever? Most of us even admit we wouldn't as life would get boring. As an older millennial (38) I'm screwed in terms of retirement. Most millennials, Gen Z's and even some of Gen X will never get to retire in the way Baby Boomers are able to retire.

Besides all that, what is so great about retirement anyway? Work your butt off for 40 years and physically destroy your body to get maybe 5 or 10 years in retirement? Who knows what you'll even be able to do in your 60s and 70s. It's something that I've definitely thought about since the pandemic.

Even my dad has told me a funny story before. My dad asked once (while working at GE) why the mandatory retirement age is 65. The answer he received: Because you'll be dead at 66. That's not retirement, that's putting you out to pasture since you aren't valuable to them anymore.

But my point is all this, with retirement being a mere fantasy for most people at this point, what about the idea of a planned death?

This could be an idea where you simply plan and pick an age. You could say "okay I'm going to plan to die at 60". That lets you plan everything. You could then work until you know you can make it under the planned death. You'll know exactly how much time you have so you can make sure you do everything you want. You can do this before you get the point where health issues might really hurt you and affect your ability to do what you wan in a traditional "retirement".

When your predetermined date comes where you will die, you can do so in comfort and with dignity. You can do it with family and friends by your side and not be alone. You can do it in a pain free way where your last moments will be of peace, not suffering.

What do you think? Do you agree with or are at least receptive to the idea of a planned death? Especially with considerations such as money, health, overpopulation and other concerns should this be an idea that gains traction in our society?

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