What term retirement usually denotes to is, to stop working. People often don't like job, so to retire usually tends to be on top of the list. However, if one likes what he does, he will do something similar to pass the time even after retirement.
IMO, retirement for me is not to totally stop working at all and chill for the remaining days or years of your life, but for me it's like freeing yourself from stressful job usually when you're working under a company for how many years without being able to have enough time for yourself or your family. Retirement for me is being able to do whatever you want without worrying about finances in general, because you have already saved enough for your retirement including insurances and investments.
Though most people is looking forward for their retirements because they don't like their jobs, but for me it's not that way. I actually like my job and it's pay but I'm also looking forward for retirement so I could finally enjoy and control my time without being worried and stressed out on my job. We all want to live a happy and peaceful lives and the only way we know we can achieve that is when we don't need to work to earn money anymore. Being rich might be an answer to that, but rich people do also have a lot of stressful problems financially.
Retirement isn't the end; it's the start of being independent! You are 100% correct when you say it's not just leaving work but also financial freedom. Isn't the modern economy changing how we think about retirement? Think about it. Since the financial world is always changing, shouldn't our attitude to savings, insurance, and investments also change? At this point in time, traditional ways of retiring are being changed. You're not just saving money; you're also making an investment in yourself. Also, it's great if you enjoy your job, but let's be honest: doesn't the grind wear you down? It's not that we don't like work; we just want more power over our time and choices
You talked about wealthy people and their money problems, right? Wealth doesn't equal worry-free. It's about how you manage it. Wealth management isn't just for rich people; anyone who wants a stress-free life should learn it. Think about insurance and assets. You have a good head on your shoulders. But let's go beyond that. Have you thought about passive income streams, spreading out your investments, or even programs that teach people how to handle their money? Being rich isn't enough; you also need to know how to use your money wisely. These days, planning for retirement is both an art and a science. You're on the right track, my friend