OVERRATED:
I had heard of some younger pioneer couples from back in the day who at some point got out of the cleaning business and into something more lucrative and less physically demanding. I also heard of other couples who had one or both who ended up getting a job in an office because they needed medical coverage.
I would imagine that these people were able to retire at least!
However, other pioneers from back then who lived on the edge, preferred to be in full time ministry and did NOT prepare for their Retirement are probably in a bad situation today. They should be begging brothers with businesses for jobs (along with the fired bethelites)...If I KNEW of a job I would tell them..But, a courtesy like this would be the extent of my help.
I would imagine that JWs who made unforgivable remarks about people in congregations who worked a secular job full time like I did..have eaten their words since they have seen just what it takes to live in the Real world.