I think why people work at the jobs they do is a lot more complicated than that.

Many people do work to avoid starvation PLUS maintain whatever level of standards they've become comfortable with.

But the reason IMO people work non basic jobs is because if they are already forced to work their entire lives to avoid starvation, they might as well optimize. If I have to commute, and maintain a car, and be there for 40+ hours a week, I might as well invest in getting the most out of that as possible.

But once people have enough money to maintain their comfortable lifestyle for the rest of their life, many do retire.