My dad died at 56 and never made it to retirement. The 3 lessons he taught me changed my own plans and perspective.
Business Insider
February 23, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
Callum Macauley-Murdoch shares three life-changing lessons he learned from his father’s unexpected death at 56, which disrupted his retirement plans and reshaped Callum’s perspective on life, work, and financial planning. The article reflects on how losing his father taught him to embrace the present while preparing for the future, emphasizing the importance of living fully and making choices that bring fulfillment.
The first lesson is about living as if you might never make it to retirement. This pragmatic approach acknowledges life’s unpredictability, encouraging practical steps like creating a will and planning for the future. It also highlights the value of pursuing passions and experiences now, rather than deferring them to later years. Callum’s father, an adventurous man who loved travel and sports, inspired him to adopt this mindset, leading Callum to pursue activities he once thought he’d wait for retirement to enjoy.
The second lesson centers on building a life that offers freedom of choice. While living fully in the present is important, it’s equally crucial to plan for financial security. Callum’s father valued education and hard work as means to create opportunities, lessons that influenced Callum’s career path. However, Callum eventually realized that financial stability allowed him to step back from his busy job after his father’s death, giving him the flexibility to pursue passions like creative writing and travel.
The final lesson is about finding joy in every chapter of life, even during challenging times. Callum’s father taught him to view life as a series of adventures, including retirement. This perspective helped Callum navigate his grief and approach his own life with renewed purpose. By reframing retirement as an opportunity for new experiences rather than a destination, Callum has found balance
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Originally published on Business Insider on 2/23/2026