IMO, the best way to prevent the ills of retirement is to become a working artist and sell your work at art fairs. You get the advantages of retirement (basically nobody besides yourself [and your SO] telling you what to do and when to do it) and the advantages of work (basically not feeling like a useless piece of refuse). Plus, you get to travel, associate with interesting people, and play music behind your booth if business is slow. Please note that the last item only applies to those who play reasonably quiet instruments. Bagpipers and trumpeters need not apply.