WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden is on the verge of an abundance of newfound leisure time. As he approaches retirement, he might look to previous presidents for inspiration on how to fill his days.
At 82 years old, Biden holds the title of the oldest sitting U.S. president. In a recent discussion with USA Today, he expressed his uncertainty about his long-term vitality, saying, “Who knows what I’m going to be when I’m 86 years old?”
However, age is not particularly uncommon among former presidents, as nine have lived past the age of 90, including notable figures such as George H.W. Bush, Gerald Ford, Ronald Reagan, and recently deceased Jimmy Carter, who lived to be 100.
Here are some conventional and unconventional ways Biden might choose to spend his retirement years:
**Enhancing His Legacy**
Unlike his predecessor Donald Trump, Biden is unlikely to pursue a political comeback after his term ends. The Democratic president has remained relatively quiet about his plans post-presidency, with discussions being limited to a close circle of aides.
Many recent former presidents have engaged in speaking gigs that garner significant fees. Given Biden’s struggles with low approval ratings throughout his presidency, such engagements could serve as a platform for him to shape his legacy and improve public perception. He expressed his desire for his legacy to reflect efforts towards “restoring the economy and reestablishing America’s leadership in the world.”
The silver lining for Biden is that former presidents often see a rise in popularity following their time in office. George W. Bush experienced an uptick in approval several years after his presidency, despite leaving office amid controversies. Similarly, Trump’s approval ratings fluctuated, but he successfully returned to the White House in the 2024 elections.
**Planning for a Presidential Library**
One of Biden’s priorities will likely be initiating fundraising efforts and making plans for his presidential library. It is anticipated that this library will be established in Delaware, his home state, where he served as a senator for 36 years.
Efforts are already underway to recruit at least one ambassador from the Biden administration to aid in fundraising, potentially mimicking the model of the Barack Obama Presidential Center, a 19.3-acre facility in Chicago that broke ground three years ago and is expected to wrap up by 2026.
**Carefully Organizing Memorabilia**
Known for being somewhat of a collector, aides have mentioned that Biden may want to retain personal mementos from his time in the White House; however, he must approach this task with care.
Federal regulations dictate that elected officials must release any official documents and classified materials upon leaving office. Biden’s legal team has been tasked with meticulous document management, especially after classified documents from his Senate and vice-presidential years were discovered in his Delaware garage and at the Penn Biden Center in Washington.
Following an FBI search involving Trump, Biden’s situation drew scrutiny from special counsel Robert Hur, who criticized Biden’s age and mental competency yet chose not to press charges regarding the mishandling of documents. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre emphasized their commitment to handling document retention appropriately.
**Considering a New Memoir**
While those close to Biden indicate a lack of enthusiasm for writing another memoir, he has penned two in the past: “Promises to Keep” and “Promise Me, Dad.” He may eventually find the motivation to write a third installment to further solidify his legacy, but he would need to tread carefully due to past accusations of mishandling classified information with his ghostwriter.
**Joining the Ex-Presidents Club**
Biden is likely to enjoy the camaraderie of the so-called ex-presidents club, where former presidents occasionally gather for photographs and mutual support during significant events, while typically avoiding harsh critiques of each other or serving political interests. This membership would contrast Biden with Trump, who largely distanced himself from traditional post-presidency activities, focusing instead on his reelection bid.
In a unique twist, Biden held a virtual gathering with actors who have played presidents to prepare for his State of the Union address, receiving encouragement from stars including Morgan Freeman and Bill Pullman.
**Exploring Show Business?**
Biden has toyed with the idea of venturing into the entertainment industry, joking with an audience of online content creators about looking for jobs. He humorously sought assistance from celebrities like Jessica Alba and Robert De Niro, expressing his willingness to explore opportunities in showbiz.
As Biden navigates this new chapter of life, he faces a myriad of potential paths ahead, all while reflecting on his unique journey as one of America’s leaders.
