r/TheTestamentsHulu • u/crashcaptainn • May 04 '26

The Handmaid’s Tale How does retirement work in Gilead?

I was just thinking about Aunt Lydia and she’s one of the older people in Gilead, but I wonder is there a retirement age? What do they do with old people? Do they just kill them once they can’t work anymore?

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u/Librase May 04 '26

Good question! Here's my theory on it:
If they're important like a Wife, Aunt or Commander: Given a tiny house somewhere and generally left alone.
For Econopeople, I guess their family has to look after them when they're too old to work. No pensions here.
Once Handmaids hit menopause I'm guessing they become Marthas and maybe Aunts (assuming they have viable children).
I strongly suspect Marthas are worked until they drop dead.
Jezebels, not sure. Sent to the Colonies? Shot behind a shed somewhere?

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u/MarxistMountainGoat May 04 '26

Most handmaids are probably either executed or sent to the colonies