First published 12/14/2018
Laura Bensman has worked in the advertising industry for more than three decades, but in all those years she has only attended one retirement party. There's a reason for that: In advertising, and at agencies in particular, it's rare employees ever reach retirement age. They're often squeezed out long before.
About herself: Quickly glancing around the restaurant, she rested her gaze on me and said: “We don’t talk about that.” I had just announced I was turning 57 in a week.
About her friend: She cupped a hand to the side of her mouth and continued in sort of a half whisper: “I just turned 50.” She mouthed the word ‘fifty’ so I didn’t catch it at first and asked her to repeat it. “50” she said, slightly more audible. “I turned off the comments on Facebook in case someone wishing me ‘Happy Birthday’ mentioned my age. I didn’t want people at work to see it.”
About another friend, also in the industry: “No no no no no, we don’t like to talk about that,” she said shaking her head. And then she mouthed: “I’m 51.” The glass wall of her private office looks onto the open arrangement of mid-level creative and account teams. “I have maybe three more years,” she said gesturing to the open area with her head: “They’re waiting. They want this office.”
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