Asking because I am catching a ton of flak from my retired buddies. It's friendly because they think I'm just a nut I have been writing software since 1981 and just love doing it. I now keep myself in the "coding" game but I spend a fair amount of time managing developers. I get paid well, great health benefits, and still look forward to the challenge of work every day (well most days). I'm 69 and but can walk away at any time. Anybody in the same boat as me? I know Ensigmatic played the IT game walked away and was glad he did. Just trying get a bit of perspective.

I say good for you if you love what you do.

My job ended a bit before I wanted to retire, but I went with the flow and haven't really looked back. I'd considered some part time work, but financially things have gone well and I'm staying plenty busy and enjoying my being able to schedule my time. I'm 65.

My dad broke his hip in December and is recovering, but he's very upset. He's worried, afraid he won't be able to return to work in less than a year and will lose his job. He's 91.

I was doing exactly what you are until last November.

I'm also 69 and was a software developer since 1980. Loved coding.
I semi-retired two years ago and arranged with my employer to stay on part-time in my position.

If they hadn't eliminated all part-time positions in November, I would still be there.

Yes

I would say I'm on the other side of your situation.
I'm 10 years in, have 16 to go for the company and 32 for social security. I'd quit tomorrow if I could afford it.

I'm glad you're in a position to enjoy what you do and hope you can continue until you're ready to leave.

quote:

Originally posted by 6guns:
I say good for you if you love what you do.

My job ended a bit before I wanted to retire, but I went with the flow and haven't really looked back. I'd considered some part time work, but financially things have gone well and I'm staying plenty busy and enjoying my being able to schedule my time. I'm 65.

That’s exactly what happened to me. I retired about 9 months before I turned 62. I thought about a part time job, but I made it the 9 months until I started social security, and after that I decided I didn’t need to work. That was 10 years ago. Like 6guns said, I love being able to schedule what I want to do.

Yup

I retired for about two weeks. Screw that noise. I couldn’t take it. Granted it was an early retirement but it’s not for me. I’m back to work but in something else unrelated.

I turned 66 last month. My health is good as is my wife's. I'd go crazy not working. I tell people I plan to cut back to 40 hours per week when I turn 70.

This August marks 40 years at my store and about 52 in retail. I'm ready to be done with retail it's not the same anymore.

OTOH, I love working in EMS and teaching EMS. I plan to continue teaching as long as they let me. If the voters return me to my county commissioner seat, the terms are now 4 years instead of 2. That will take me to 70 and I'm going to re-evaluate at that point if I want to run for another term.

I retired and almost immediately went back to work. I am really enjoying the new challenges of the career change.

L/E and .mil to College Professor. Not what I would have predicted. I think I'm learning more than my students.

quote:

Originally posted by Bytes:
Asking because I am catching a ton of flak from my retired buddies. It's friendly because they think I'm just a nut I have been writing software since 1981 and just love doing it. I now keep myself in the "coding" game but I spend a fair amount of time managing developers. I get paid well, great health benefits, and still look forward to the challenge of work every day (well most days). I'm 69 and but can walk away at any time. Anybody in the same boat as me? I know Ensigmatic played the IT game walked away and was glad he did. Just trying get a bit of perspective.

I retired at 55 and I'm really enjoying retirement and wouldn't dream of going back to work unless it was in a ministry with my church. We're only going to live so long so what in life are you missing out on by continuing to work? It's great that you enjoy work and enjoy the challenges it brings but how much time are you missing spending time with family or missing out on the opportunity to travel or other activities you enjoy? No one on their death bed ever said they wished they had spent more time in life working. A good salary and good benefits are good to have but to me I'd rather have less money and enjoy my life getting up when I want, doing whatever I want when I want and not have to worry about asking permission from someone to take time off.

The challenge of retirement is finding worthwhile activities to replace work. The last thing you can do in retirement is nothing. I'm involved with several ministries with my church, I have a couple home improvement projects going on, I hit the gym at least 5 days a week, I ride my motorcycle on day trips and try and take one 2-3 trip out west each year so I'm staying busy.

quote:

Asking because I am catching a ton of flak from my retired buddies. It's friendly because they think I'm just a nut

If it is working out for you, no one else's opinion matters.

I’ll be 63 in July. I like my job okay and it is fairly low stress and my commute is five minutes, but would love to retire now. The difference in Social Security between now and 67 tells me I’d be wise to stick it out. My mom will probably live to 105. I’ll be loaded if she doesn’t outlive me, but I’m not counting on it.

Retired from the Fed 11/21 at 56 and a half (mandatory was 57 for LEO’s but I left half a year early because I wouldn’t get the jab). The following spring started working for a buddy that manages an outdoor company as a driver. I fell in with the white water raft guides as I love being on the water and got certified the following spring. Now I split my work between the two. I’m in good shape so it’s easy for me to compete with the 20-something folks. I’ll do it as long as I’m physically capable of the demands.

Not me, but one of my brother-in-laws. He was in the tech field too and really liked it. He just retired last year at the age of 75.

I'm 49. I could've retired last year but I'm still working. I can work 7 more years at my current job before I'm forced out. Not sure what I will do after that. I've got some time to decide. Definitely getting out of LE when I retire.

Not quite ready for the rocking chair.
Doing the things you like when you don’t have to do them and can pick and choose your customers makes it a lot more fun.

I’ve refused several offers to get back into auto parts both in dealerships (which I did for forty seven years) and aftermarket (never a day) since I retired seven years ago.

I also quit Harley Davidson parts, did that for twenty three years part time, new ownership was a big part of that and adding a sixty four mile round trip and three years of construction involving the route made me say bye.

Now working in a local gun shop and enjoying it.

78 here. Still have a part time job that offers mental and physical challenges—and satisfactions.