Outside of his stage work, he has achieved fame as an actor, writer, and director in the film industry. With a career that now spans nearly 40 years, Sam Shepard has gained the critical regard, media attention, and iconic status enjoyed by only a rare few in American theatre. Throughout his career Shepard has amassed numerous grants, prizes, fellowships, and awards, including the Cannes Palme d'Or and the Pulitzer Prize.
The U.S. government has acknowledged that the official retirement age will to increase from 66 years. But doubts about the solvency of Social Security and the need for funding beyond the government entitlement is making the official age obsolete.
In the United States, the standard retirement age is currently 66 (gradually increasing to 67). In Canada, the OAS (Old Age Security) pension is available at 65 (gradually increasing to 67, starting in the years 2023-2029), and the CPP (Canada Pension Plan) as early as age 60. The AARP allows couples in which one spouse has reached the age of 50 to join, regardless of the age of the other spouse.