If you hate travelling, in what way does doing that for 17 years sound like fun? Some people just do not like traveling and living out of a suitcase or backpack. Others, do. If you see being at a corporation as soul sucking, then don't, but I imagine that if you're the CEO of the corporation, it's a different story than if you're a drone, and see yourself as one. Retirement is great, you get to choose what to do. Some people choose to fuck off to the beach. Others choose to keep writing code, like Larry Finger. No one's gonna shame you for not being Larry Finger in your retirement, but we should celebrate the people who chose to do good works.