My husband was 12 years older than I and had to be cared for, for an extent, his last year or so of life. He was self-employed so didn't officially retire, just cut down on his work, till he really wasn't making any sales. He seemed bored in that I was, on the other hand, feeling freer to be involved in my part time job and other activities. When he had less energy and was wanting to do less, I was free of kids and wanting to do more... As a part-timer in Mexico, I also had no retirement age and no pension. So yes, age difference was in some ways a challenge.