Wasn't so much what I wanted to do as what I DIDN'T want to do: Work for anybody else and have to do things their way on their schedule.

It'll be 13 years next month and I've never regretted it for a minute. In fact, a couple of times when I thought about going part time, I factored in the likely pay scale, the commute, the loss of flexibility time-wise and decided it didn't pencil out.

The ability to do WHAT I please mostly WHEN I please is priceless after living the first 60 years of my life around other folks needs.

My only source of income outside of SS and Navy retirement is occasional repair or fabrication work (which is mostly recreation for me anyway) and it's made clear that it'll get done on MY schedule. Yeah, that bites me on the ass from time to time but that just reminds me how much I enjoy being retired.

And now I think I'll take advantage of the glorious Fall day by going for a ride in the Vette.

We were fortunate enough to retire early. So we sold everything, bought a motorhome and hit the road. Along the way we did a lot of volunteering for the Forest Service (they're dog friendly and NPS isn't). Some of our various jobs included: inventorying hiking trails (Oregon), inspecting bridges w/FS engineer (Idaho), monitoring day use area (Arizona), paddling with manatees (Florida), and operating a visitors center (Colorado).

And all the while we were looking for a place to settle down. We found a great 55+ community and now we're involved in several clubs (military history book, rod & gun, PICKLEBALL, mtn dulcimer & ukulele, hiking, biking, support local HS sports teams, etc. We've also have the time to make been trips, both in the US and abroad without having to meet someone else's schedule.

Been retired 30 years now and it's been great!

Worked beginning in childhood with a paper route, worked in high school and through university education. Had an intense 45 year career and now happily retired. Travel around the US have seen 46 of the 50 states. Would like to see as many presidential museums as I can. I'm just the right amount of busy to be happy, have a great wife and dog to enjoy every day with. Handgun range 10 minute drive for burning nitrates. Life is good in retirement.

You (we) have earned retirement. If the time and financial situation is correct then take the plunge. Without a doubt, I am MORE busy in retirement than I was when I was working a 40+ hour job plus midnight callouts. You will stay busy. I found a wonderful search and rescue group and I am again MORE busy doing something for the community.

Dont be afraid, just because others work till they drop..you dont have too.

Think of your health and finances and if you can then enjoy retirement. You won't be disappointed.

Good luck.

Now you can do what you want to do, instead of what you have to do.
You can even continue to work, maybe in another field or volunteering. You're not all that old.
Whatever you want, can be a big adjustment.

When I was young, I heard about these old crusties that would work forever (almost to the point they couldn’t any more), retire, and die a couple of years later.

I was told it was because of the unhealthy lifestyle of the job and the stress. 30 years later, I think they just lose purpose and they “give up” on living. They worked a job with a constant purpose and when they lose it, they lose the will to live.

I have 29 years in. At about the 27 year mark, I decided to retire. Admin came down and asked me to transfer so my replacement could have longer to train. I transferred. Man, it was the greatest move I’ve made. I then realized that I was wanting to retire because of burnout. I no longer feel that way. The job is fun again and I’m training new kids.


I think the key (as mentioned already) is to have a plan. Without a plan, retirement could be detrimental. I have a couple of things I’m watching. If the positions materialize, I’ll probably retire and start the next chapter. I figure I’ll probably work in some capacity as long as I’m still an asset.

I just retired a month ago and it is great, other than having to keep up with my "honey-do" list that keeps growing.

I think many/most of us suffer some anxiety when considering retirement. My wife and I were well established in our careers, before we were married and had children. So we still had young children when I retired the first time at 51. I was Mr. Mom for a couple years till my wife also retired. In the fullness of time, I ended up going back into the same line of work, retiring again at 66. I didn't know either time, if it was the right time; but it was for me.

After retirement, got to spend more time with family, traveled, went on cruises, took more naps, got to shoot, haunt gun shops, worked a few hours a month as an expert witness in court, etc. There is always plenty to do. A good friend, who retired before me, told me he had so much to do, he didn't know when he'd had time to work. Life is Good!

Retirement is wasted on the old .

I'm 40, and if I could afford to dump all my gear at the station and walk out the door for the last time I'd do it in a heartbeat. I could find plenty of projects to keep me busy and I could spend more time with my kids while they're still home. Unfortunately, finances being what they are I'm going to be working for another 20-30 years before I can afford to do that.

My FIL is retiring this month and he's been all kinds of stressed about it. It's not a financial thing...he's just not sure what he's going to do. My answer to that is "Anything I want to do, and nothing I don't."

My Dad retired on the first day he was able to do so. He was 60 years old. He passed this April at age 101. He very much enjoyed his retirement til his last year of life, so 40 years. If you can retire, be brave, do it.
Rod

I don't understand this thinking. Every day I walk in the office I think is today the day? I'm likely moving to the Philippines for retirement. I can easily retire there now and have money for a few trips to US or anywhere else I want for life. If I retire here, I will need another 5-15 years to be able to retire. So my plan is to save enough for here to have a nice retirement, or live like a king there. All I need to keep me busy is a garden; a few chickens; and a workshop. I can easily fill the rest of the time.

The day I add it all up and determine this is enough $$$ is the day I will tender my resignation. I don't like having a boss.

When I was retiring from police work, I felt lost. Because my identity and purpose was going away. In order to ease out of police work, I kept busy. I worked as Security for an in patient Hospice facility. And did Private Investigation work. When I moved to the Yoop, I volunteered with the local SO in their Search and Rescue unit. I am now too old and fat to run SAR callouts so I am fully retired. I stay busy with shooting, riding motorcycles and exploring the Yoop. If you are going to retire, find an activity or hobby that lets you stay busy without becoming stressed out. Clint Eastwood said it: "Dont let the old man in"!

quote:

Originally posted by 92fstech:
My FIL is retiring this month and he's been all kinds of stressed about it. It's not a financial thing...he's just not sure what he's going to do. My answer to that is "Anything I want to do, and nothing I don't."

One of my mentors shared the observation that typically retirees who thrive during retirement have the mindset of retiring to something not retiring from something. He then gave me some of excellent follow-on advice - I needed to figure out what I wanted to retire to. I'm 27 to 39 months from retiring and believe I have the answer.

Your FIL needs to figure out what he's retiring to.

I appreciate the timing of this post. I retired two weeks ago today. The garage is already starting to look a little better (lots of clutter) , the lawn and garden are showing great signs of improvement, and I have lots written down on my to-do list to try and get my home fixed up.

I failed at retirement. I retired after 25 years in LE in 2016. I was 46. I helped a friend who had a start up company laying tile and wood floors for a few months.

Before long I was back in LE part time, which turned to full time. I still like what I do. No stress because the agency knows I can walk at any moment. I don’t have to have the money and no one wants to police any more.

I just started my 35th year in LE. My wife can’t retire for a few more years. I’ll probably hang around until she can go. I’ll be ready then.

Being self employed I can retire when I want. I still enjoy work and having limited the kind of work I do not like doing. I have cut back my hours to some degree as well. For most people it is health reasons for stopping work.

I’ve got a little over ten years to go, but as hard as I’ve been saving, I still don’t feel like I’ll be financially “ready” when that day comes.

My lovely mate will likely need to work a couple of years past that, so I figure I will too, Lord willing.

I can’t deny, though, that I look forward to getting up whenever I feel like it, enjoying coffee on the porch, tackling a few minor chores, and enjoying the day.

I met a man several years ago who retired before his wife could. He said he enjoyed making breakfast, sending his wife off to work, going out on the motorcycle for a while, mowing as necessary, having dinner ready when she got home, and spending the evenings together. That sounds frickin’ wonderful.

And OKCGene echoes my dear mom’s teachings: “Have something to retire TO, not just something to retire FROM.”

- - - -

ETA:

quote:

Originally posted by jljones:
I was told it was because of the unhealthy lifestyle of the job and the stress. 30 years later, I think they just lose purpose and they “give up” on living. They worked a job with a constant purpose and when they lose it, they lose the will to live.

I believe this wholeheartedly. It wasn’t long after my grandfather retired that he died. Mom and I have talked about it several times, and her statement was very similar: when he was working, he had purpose. He had a mission every day, and a goal to complete it. After retirement, he lost his purpose (other than looking after the family).

- - - - -

My boss wants to retire next year. THAT scares the crap out of me.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: vthoky,

Most of the career professionals I know that have retired, are either consulting or working another job. The difference is they are working on their terms and doing what they want.

Have a plan for retirement to enjoy, give, and take care of yourself.

I don't know what I am to be honest. I have 8 months left. I am really burnt out looking forward to not being in my current job.

But my wife is on may case about making the same or more than I am right. Even though she agreed I could still retire when we bought a newer house three months aga. They have short memories. I suppose I will try to get a job with the local school district so I can at least get my summersn and weekends off!!

I am right on the bubble at 56. Knowing I can step out at any time makes a stressful sales leadership job much more enjoyable. The thought of having more $ going out than coming in (at least until 65) is a mental hurdle I would need to overcome. No concerns about keeping busy.

Best of luck to you.