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HB6guns
HB2U!

My first retirement was at age 42 (20 years USAF) but I fairly quickly found employment in my preferred field (computer programming in COBOL). After 24 years doing that as a civilian, I retired again at age 67, then returned to work as a Consultant in the same office for 2 more years. I've been totally out of the workplace for 15 years and love it.

Retirement is great if you've put back enough savings/investments to provide for you and your family (or have a lucrative retirement plan). Enjoy your time off while you are healthy enough to do it.

flashguy

Happy birthday and I wish you a long and happy, healthy, retirement!

Happy birthday. Retired at 59 myself and don't miss the old job at all.
Do it and enjoy yourself.

quote:

Originally posted by Sigmund:
Go to as many retirement seminars as you can! If your company offers them, great. If not, many financial planners do them to sell their products, go and take notes.

Between SS, a 401K, a pension (maybe), and Medicare it can be very complicated with lots of moving parts, some connected to your spouse. Planning ahead helps.

If you go to a retirement seminar, be aware that the people giving it may or may not know what they're doing and the material they present may or may not apply to you. Don't assume it does.

I only went to one, and it was put on by the County Retirement Association. Mrs. Flash was a lifelong County employee. The only thing that kept me from walking out was the fact that Mrs. Flash was still an employee and I didn't want to piss off her employer.

One of the other employees in the seminar actually did get up and walk out, shaking his head all the way.

I never wanted to be one of "those guys" that people talked about. "Oh he should have hung it up already". Or the "I don't want to be working when I'm as old as him".

For the record....It was very safety related work and I held my own. I went before I wanted to at 59.
Just needed to get the heck out of Dodge.

Congrats brother! I never intended to retire completely. Things have changed for us this year and Mrs DF tells me I'm retiring this Spring. I've been working since I was 13. The idea of leaving the work force in that way makes me uncomfortable. My work has become my identity to a degree. I hope you enjoy your retirement.

Congrats to you..whenever it happens. I'm 63 and down to just doing some occasional flight instructing. I might do another jet job if a good part time opportunity pops up..but full time work? I don't think so. Enjoy your life.

I'm a chief marine engineer and although I spent quite a few years of fairly hard life sailing deep sea, my current job has been on the cushy side. Despite a rough divorce years ago, I've been able to save pretty well and enjoy some positive investment results.

I appreciate the comments about finances in retirement. I'm thankful that reading about finances has become a hobby of mine and I keep pretty well informed on those issues.

I do want to play more guitar and hope to get back into performing at open mics and expand my painting from watercolor to include water soluble oils. Travel will be big on my retirement list as well as way more IDPA matches than I've been able to do lately.

Thanks again for the good wishes and sharing your retirement stories.

Happy Birthday and Congratulations!!!

We have some of your artwork hanging in our home.

If you remain in the region of your last job, and have made friends among your coworkers, do try to meet with them (and others who've retired) every so often. My coterie of coworkers has a monthly luncheon at a local restaurant that is attended by those still working and those retired. We have a very enjoyable time. (Yes, we've restarted doing it after the COVID hiatus.)

flashguy

After 6 years in the Navy and 40 years in banking, I was happy to retire at 65. My wife and I have enjoyed every day since. We were fortunate to retire on the same day and we do everything together. A good marriage is paramount for me. We’ve enjoyed our summers in Montana and winters in both Mexico and Florida. Life Is fun for us. Good luck Guns.

You beat me to the age by just a few days - I did, however, retire three months ago after burning excess leave for four months. Forty years was enough.

I wish you the best.

I retired last year at 62 and have no regrets.

how do you guys retire at 63 and not get hammered into the ground with medical insurance premiums?

I may be in the same boat in less than 6 months - not saying I don't want to work - I think I'm good until 70 but few people are going to hire a 62 year old engineer with 3 to 5 years to permanent retirement

quote:

Originally posted by nhtagmember:
how do you guys retire at 63 and not get hammered into the ground with medical insurance premiums?

I retired at 59 and my wife continued to work for a couple of years so we had access to her insurance . After she retired I was able to get back on my former employers plan but we had to pay full price . Right at 1k per month .We re enrolled for next year at a much higher deductible but at half the cost . Medicare will kick in for 2023 .

Happy Bday 6 guns

I retired after a long career in 2013

For a few months it felt very strange. The freedom of doing whatever you want is a bit intoxicating.

But after that initial period I feel very comfortable. It is another unique phase of life.

I'm glad I've had some time to enjoy it.

Congratulations on making it this far ( ) and best wishes for the rest.

Happy Birthday, my friend.

Happy Birthday! I've been retired for over 17 years and for the most part I don't miss the job. 38 years was enough. Every quarter though I get together for lunch with some of my old peers. They get fewer as the years go by.

Happy Birthday! I retired last year at 62 1/2. Love it so far.