Donald Trump just turned 80, and the world didn’t end. The man who once quipped that ageing is a ‘state of mind’ is now firmly in the octogenarian club, a demographic that is quietly reshaping the British workforce. As the UK grapples with a greying population, the question is no longer whether older workers can keep up, but how society adapts to a reality where 80 is the new 60.
According to the Office for National Statistics, over 1.5 million people over 65 are still in employment in the UK, a figure that has doubled in the past decade. The trend shows no signs of slowing. In sectors like agriculture, legal services, and even tech, silver-haired professionals are rewriting the rules of retirement. But what is it actually like to work at 80? And what can we learn from a man who, despite his polarising persona, continues to command a multi-billion-dollar empire at an age when most are content with a garden and a crossword?
I spoke with Dr. Elaine Harper, a gerontologist at King’s College London, who points out that ‘working into your 80s is no longer an anomaly. We’re seeing a convergence of better health, later retirement ages, and a desire for purpose. For many, work is identity.’ This rings true for Trump, whose brand is inseparable from his persona. But beyond the headlines, the experience of an octogenarian worker is nuanced.
Take Margaret, 82, a part-time legal consultant in Manchester. She retired at 65, only to return three years later. ‘I was bored. My mind was still sharp, but I felt invisible. Now I work three days a week and mentor junior solicitors. It gives me structure, social connection, and a reason to keep learning.’ Margaret embodies the cognitive benefits of staying in the game. Studies show that continued mental engagement can delay dementia and improve overall well-being. Yet the physical toll is real. ‘I get tired faster. My eyes strain with screens. But companies that offer ergonomic chairs, flexible hours, and tech support make it work,’ she adds.
Tech, surprisingly, is a great equaliser. While older workers often face a digital divide, many octogenarians have adapted remarkably. Trump, famously a Twitter addict, proves that even the most tech-resistant can embrace the tools of the trade. For the British workforce, this means rethinking workplace design. ‘We need to move away from ageist assumptions,’ says Harper. ‘Not every 80-year-old is frail. Many have decades of tacit knowledge that no algorithm can replicate.’
Yet the risks are systemic. A 2023 study by the Institute for Fiscal Studies found that 1 in 5 over-70s in the UK are in insecure work, often due to financial necessity. The state pension age is rising, but not everyone has a golden parachute. For these workers, the ‘choice’ to stay is a cruel one. Trump, with his vast wealth, is an outlier. The real challenge is ensuring that dignity and safety accompany longevity.
From a user experience perspective, society is poorly designed for the super-aged. Touchscreen interfaces with tiny fonts, public transport without seating, and age discrimination in hiring are just the surface. The tech industry, my own domain, has a responsibility to design for all ages. Voice assistants, simplified UIs, and adaptive wearables can bridge gaps. But we must also fight the algorithmic bias that sidelines older workers in recruitment and promotion.
As AI and quantum computing accelerate, the fear of obsolescence looms. But if Trump’s enduring relevance teaches us anything, it’s that experience, resilience, and a knack for reinvention are assets no machine can fully replace. The British workforce is heading toward a multigenerational future. We can either retrofit our systems or design them inclusively from the start.
So, happy birthday, Mr. Trump. Whether you love or loathe him, his octogenarian hustle is a mirror to our collective future. Let’s make sure that when we reach 80, work adds to our lives, not subtracts from them.
