This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Vince Scidone, a 90-year-old former carpenter in Oklahoma. Scidone works part-time as a cook at a convenience store chain. He returned to work after his wife, Deborah, got sick, and they needed additional income to support them in their retirement. Business Insider has verified Scidone’s income and current employment. The following has been edited for length and clarity.

I was raised in a working family. No one worked eight-to-four jobs. The time clock wasn’t their schedule; they just worked whenever they thought they had to, sometimes 10 to 12 hours a day.

My dad was a contractor, so I learned the construction business from him. I started going with him on jobs when I was 7 or 8 years old. He later trained me to be a carpenter, but he passed away when I was in high school.

I was in the Marine Corps, and when I came out, I went back to work for a contractor. He paid me $1.50 an hour, which was a decent wage at that time. I had the skills to do whatever was asked of me, and I climbed the ladder from journeyman carpenter to a foreman superintendent. I worked in the field for 20 years, on commercial and residential jobs.

I was asked to go into the St. Louis District Council of Carpenters’ office as a business representative in 1978, and I stayed with the union for 20 years, representing 12,000 people. We negotiated contracts, pensions, health insurance, and welfare.

Business Insider’s “80 over 80” series draws on interviews with the growing group of Americans working past their 80th birthdays. They discussed their careers, retirement planning, living expenses, healthcare, and life lessons. If you are 80 and older and still work, fill out this form to contribute to the series and read more here:

• Older Americans in their 80s are applying for jobs — and hitting a wall
• They’re in their 80s, still working, and living paycheck to paycheck
• What work looks like in your 80s for half a million Americans
• 81 and working to survive
• Meet the 90-somethings with lessons to share on life, work, and money

I didn’t live extravagantly during my career

Everything either went toward buying a home or furnishing it, or other daily costs. I don’t regret how I lived or handled my money. I was always very conscious of what I owed and what my bills were.

When I decided to retire, I was married to my first wife, who was also retired. We moved to the Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri, and then Naples, Florida, where we lived for 13 years. I played a lot of golf and was involved with my church.

As told to Noah Sheidlower. Sep 2, 2025, 4:15 AM CT. I wanted to share this because too many people are being turned down for HELOCS and REFIs in retirement. They don’t have to suffer. For more information

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