As retirement looms, many anticipate a slower pace of life—quiet mornings, leisurely walks, and days spent with time on their hands. But for many retirees, the shift away from the workforce doesn’t necessarily bring an end to active roles and responsibilities. In fact, retirement often introduces a whole new set of unexpected titles, from being a “financial guru” to a “domestic manager,” and even, as humorously pointed out in many jokes, a “sexual adviser.” It’s a reminder that, no matter the stage of life, humor remains a crucial tool in navigating the joys and absurdities of life. Retirement, in particular, offers fertile ground for laughter and wit, as individuals find themselves in new positions that bring out both the best and most amusing qualities of long-term relationships.In marriage, as in retirement, humor plays a vital role. Over the years, couples accumulate shared memories, inside jokes, and a wealth of experience that naturally leads to a certain kind of witty repartee. The small irritations that crop up—like deciding where to eat for dinner or who should handle household chores—are softened by the ability to laugh together. It’s not about creating perfection; rather, it’s about finding the humor in imperfections, and embracing the fact that life’s little mishaps can often lead to the most memorable moments.

In many households, retirement brings with it an unexpected transformation of roles. A retiree, once immersed in a structured career, finds themselves stepping into new, sometimes unorthodox, advisory positions. Perhaps they’ve become the one in charge of managing the family budget or organizing the family calendar. In other cases, they might find themselves offering unsolicited—but lovingly given—advice on a range of topics, including matters of intimacy. These moments create the perfect backdrop for humor, as the lines between adviser and advised blur in the most comical ways. What might seem like a typical household conversation can take a humorous twist when the retired spouse becomes the de facto expert in a given area, whether they wanted that title or not.

Consider one classic joke that reflects this dynamic. A retiree is asked by someone, “Do you have a job now that you’re retired?” To which he responds, “I am my wife’s sexual adviser.” The questioner, somewhat shocked, probes further, asking, “What do you mean by that?” The retiree’s response is simple: “Very simple. My wife told me that when she wants my f**king advice, she’ll ask for it.”At first glance, this joke might appear crude, but the brilliance lies in its clever twist. Here, the retiree—who may have expected to embrace new hobbies or focus on his own interests post-retirement—has instead been given a role that is both intimate and humorous. His new position as “sexual adviser” is defined not by his own initiative but by his wife’s command, highlighting the playful and sometimes unpredictable power dynamics that emerge in long-term relationships. The punchline is effective because it flips expectations—rather than the retiree giving unsolicited advice, he’s acknowledging that, in marriage, sometimes communication (or the lack of it) speaks louder than words. It’s an exploration of how married couples—especially after decades together—find ways to laugh at life’s absurdities and adjust to the changing roles and responsibilities they encounter.

This joke, along with many others like it, is a playful reflection on the quirks of married life and the unpredictable shifts that come with retirement. It serves as a reminder that retirement isn’t just about slowing down; it’s about embracing the unexpected roles we find ourselves in, whether it’s managing finances, organizing vacations, or even providing some tongue-in-cheek advice to our spouses. Retirement may change the structure of our lives, but it doesn’t have to mean the end of humor, wit, and joy.

In the end, it’s not about the titles we hold, but the way we navigate life’s absurdities—especially with a sense of humor and an appreciation for the shared experiences that make long-term relationships so rich. Whether you’ve just retired or have been enjoying the golden years for a while, the jokes, laughter, and moments of wit that arise will continue to make life all the more enjoyable. After all, what’s retirement without a little laughter at the unexpected roles we take on and the delightful absurdities we encounter along the way?