My take? If you are one of the 1%ers (no, not the super-wealthy) -- among the ranks of those who truly love their work and can do it more or less on their own terms -- then yes, making a living by doing "work" you love can feel like retirement.
It's never going to be a reality for "the 99%", though. The overwhelming majority of folks are never going to realistically be in a position to love their work in this way. Those who do, who can do it largely on their own terms and who would keep doing it even if they didn't need ANY income from it, are among the most blessed people I can imagine.