Niels Stougaard, a 77-year-old, finds fulfillment and purpose in his part-time job at IKEA in Taastrup, Denmark, choosing to work rather than fully retire. Despite reaching retirement age, Stougaard enjoys the customer interaction and the routine that work provides.

Stougaard initially retired at 66 but quickly discovered that he missed the social interaction and mental stimulation of work. He found the endless reruns on television and the limited activities of his hobbies insufficient to fill his days. This led his wife to submit an application to IKEA on his behalf, and he was hired shortly after.

Stougaard’s career began in the postal service in the 1960s before transitioning to IKEA, where he now works approximately 22 hours per week in the office furniture exhibition area. He enjoys helping customers and finds satisfaction in the “little spark” he feels when interacting with them. Customers have praised his service, contributing to his positive work experience.

He compares working to being on vacation, saying that it gives him renewed energy and benefits his relationship with his wife. The extra income also contributes to their holiday budget, allowing them to enjoy activities such as cycling around Lake Constance and mountain hiking in the Dolomites.

Despite his age, Stougaard remains in good health and has had only two sick days during his time at IKEA. He finds the conversations with customers easy and enjoys recommending the right desk. However, he admits to struggling with technology and the use of English within the international company. He intends to continue working as long as his health and memory allow.