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Chris Farrell

Photograph of Chris Farrell

Chris Farrell is senior economics contributor for American Public Media's Marketplace. An award-winning journalist, he is author of the books "Purpose and a Paycheck:  Finding Meaning, Money and Happiness in the Second Half of Life" and "Unretirement: How Baby Boomers Are Changing the Way We Think About Work, Community and the Good Life."

A woman standing on stage singing into a microphone. Next Avenue, hobby into business

How to Turn a Hobby into a Business

Some people change plans after they retire; others make change itself their plan
January 29, 2024
A small business owner opening up the door to her new business. Next Avenue

Launching a New Business? Invest in Yourself

Outside financing options are scarce for workers who leave their old jobs to start their own businesses, but they do have options
October 5, 2023
A black and white photo of two people. Next Avenue, business partner

More than the Sum of Its Partners

The importance of finding a complementary collaborator when starting a business
August 31, 2023
A couple smiling outside of a store. Next Avneue

Black Entrepreneurship Blossoms

A revival in startups after COVID is opening opportunities for Black small-business owners
August 21, 2023
Three men standing inside a brewery. Next Avenue, entrepreneurship

Mentors Encourage a Rural Renaissance

Entrepreneurs are discovering small towns whose enthusiastic business and civic mentors are a catalyst for a success
May 19, 2023
An older craftsman at work. Next Avenue, retirement plan, no retirement savings

Not Ready for Retirement?

Millions of Americans in their 50s and 60s have no savings, but they do have options to improve their financial security
April 17, 2023
Two retired men working in a community garden. Next Avenue, what to do in retirement

Planning for Retirement Means More than Saving

You have bid farewell to your job and opened vistas of free time — now what?
August 30, 2022
A collage os 4 midlife entrepreneurs. Next Avenue, older entrepreneurs

The Advantages of Older Entrepreneurs

Abundant experience, wide networks and personal capital help to make people over 50 particularly successful in starting small businesses
August 23, 2022
Older and younger workers working together. Next Avenue, intergenerational workers

The Future of Aging Is Intergenerational

Ignore the palaver about generational conflict: we are not facing a zero-sum economic future
July 6, 2022
The exterior of an ADU. Next Avenue, Accessory Dwelling Unit

A Housing Idea for Aging Parents Who Want Your Company and Their Privacy

Backyard cottages, converted garages and other “accessory dwelling units” offer both
May 10, 2022
Two side-by-side photos of midlife entrepreneurs. Next Avenue, second act business

A Hopeful Future for Midlife Entrepreneurship

Read the inspiring stories of these three entrepreneurs, then submit your own story of entrepreneurship to Next Avenue
April 18, 2022
Two older adults wearing face masks walking outside after connecting through Naborforce. Next Avenue

Entrepreneurs Are Creating Services to Better Connect the Aging Population

Through tech, tasks or companionship, startups are addressing the problem of social isolation
February 10, 2022
An older adult holding a torch outside. Next Avenue, people with disabilities, retirement

What Americans With Disabilities Need in Retirement

A novel program in Australia, featuring activities in the community, could work well across the U.S.
December 29, 2021
A woman sitting on a bench with the ocean in front of her. Next Avenue, unemployed, can't retire, too young retire

Unemployed, But Too Young to Retire

The growing problem facing women in their 50s and 60s
December 14, 2021
Two women ssitting at a table in front of two awards, smiling. Next Avenue, older workers, reckoning

America's Moment of Reckoning for Older Workers

The big changes this writer found when speaking at an Encore Palm Beach County awards event
November 29, 2021
A man standing outside next to a four wheeler and his dog. veteran encore career, Next Avenue

2 Military Veterans Help Other Vets Transition to Purposeful Civilian Life

Meet Michael Zacchea and Larry Steward, offering useful services to former service members
November 11, 2021
Two older people smiling while working at the office. Next Avenue, age-friendly jobs, workplace, age-friendly institute

Why the Founder of the Age-Friendly Institute Is Optimistic

Tim Driver thinks a few big trends are working in favor of older workers
October 22, 2021
A couple sitting on the porch with their grandchild. Next Avenue, reverse mortgage

Is This a Good Time to Get a Reverse Mortgage?

A reverse mortgage's pros and cons, plus alternatives for retirement income
October 6, 2021
Two men with their arms around each other, smiling. Next Avenue, nonprofit jobs work, corporate

Chucking the Corporate Life to Do Good

How, and why, these three have switched to nonprofit work and are glad they did
September 16, 2021
A closeup of three social security cards. Next Avenue, solvency

What the New Outlook for Social Security Means for You

A new report examines solvency issues for Social Security and Medicare
September 1, 2021
A hammer hovering over a worried piggy bank. Next Avenue, retirement, 401k

What If We Blew Up America's Retirement Savings System?

Clearly, what we have isn't working, but these experts have some smart alternative ideas
August 9, 2021
Protesters holding up a "free Britney" poster. Conservatorship, Britney Spears,Next Avenue,

How to Fix Conservatorship in America

We can thank Britney Spears for propelling efforts to reform the broken conservatorship system
July 26, 2021
An older worker holding a box of things from his desk. Next Avenue, the big quit, older workers

Older Workers and 'The Big Quit'

Some older workers are jumping at the chance for a new start; others aren't so lucky
July 12, 2021
A group of people waiting in line at an airport. New normal, economy, economic, COVID-19 pandemic, Next Avenue

How to Deal With the Challenges of 'The New Normal' Economy

It's hard to stay cool when prices and lines are heating up
June 28, 2021
A small business owner holding up a pair of hand knitted mittens. Entrepreneur, Next Avenue

Second Act: She Laid Off Her 14 Knitters and Rehired Them as COVID-19 Mask Makers

How Julie Steller of Minneapolis is making the COVID-19 pivot once again
June 14, 2021
A woman leading a class of older adults. Older workers, age diversity, Colorado, Next Avenue

How Colorado Is Tackling Age Diversity in the Workforce

There's a lot to learn from its initiatives to hire and keep older workers
May 31, 2021
A professional caregiver assisting an older adult. Caregiving, caregiver, Next Avenue

How Helping America's Caregiving Workforce Can Address Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Ways to improve pay, benefits and training for professional caregivers
May 18, 2021
A closeup of a woman with blonde hair wearing a red shirt and gold earrings. Older workers, minimum wage,Next Avenue

What a Higher Minimum Wage Would Mean for Older Workers

Teens are far from the only ones who earn the minimum wage in America
May 4, 2021
A multigenerational family stands outside in front of the grandparent's house. Estate tax, inheritance, Next Avenue

How Estate Tax Changes Could Affect You and Your Family

The two ways Congress and the Biden administration could shake up inheritances
April 9, 2021
Factory worker mixing ingredients wearing protective gear, jobs, Next Avenue

Getting Hired Without a Resume or a Job Interview

"Open hiring" is now possible at some employers and can be helpful for certain 50+ applicants
March 26, 2021
retirement-income, American Rescue Plan Act, Next Avenue

How the American Rescue Plan Act Will Help More Than a Million Retirees and Workers

Why a little-covered part of the law will provide many with their promised pensions
March 12, 2021
Older couple looking out window holding a Medicare card

Medicare Could Be Insolvent in 2024: How to Prevent It

Ways to keep Medicare on solid footing and address its flaws
March 1, 2021
multigenerational family cooking together, ageism, Next Avenue

The Pandemic Shines the Spotlight on Ageism

The surprising and hopeful ways older adults are now being seen
February 15, 2021
Firefighter fighting wildfire, natural disasters

Disaster Planning for Your Parents

How to ensure they'll be in good hands if they need assistance
February 1, 2021
Woman holding credit card paying bills, debt trends

The Worrisome Debt Trends of Older Americans

Why borrowing is up and what may help lessen this financial risk
January 14, 2021
widow at window, Next Avenue, social security, widowers

Understanding the Social Security Rules for Widows and Widowers

They're complicated, and President-elect Biden wants to reform them
December 31, 2020
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