I’m 56 and and the wife is 52, and we just downsized and will be zero debt by April. Hoping to retire by 62. But won’t be too bummed if it’s 65.
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Retirement, any regrets
- Thread starter Rfan
- Start date
So far, I’ve failed retirement five times. Retirement should be easy; however, I keep finding more interesting opportunities to explore.
So Anyway, I'm assuming the OP was retiring from a day job and not from music. Retirement should be enjoyed.
I can only speak from my own local experience, but of all the people I've played gigs with over 50 years:
When I retired from my day job, I was able to say 'Yes' to a lot of things that I didn't have time for as a Full Time Employee. A short time after I retired, I was working or subbing in 4 different bands. I did that for a few years not for the money, but because I enjoyed being busy with music. And it fed my ego and identity as a 'musician'.
But that's just me.
I can only speak from my own local experience, but of all the people I've played gigs with over 50 years:
- I can count a handful of them who willingly 'retired' from music.
- Of those who don't play anymore, very few of them quit a working band and said no to every musical offer.
- Most guys who said they've retired from music just had the phone stop ringing or their band fell apart. If an offer came, there's a good chance they'd be back in it....and I've seen this several times.
When I retired from my day job, I was able to say 'Yes' to a lot of things that I didn't have time for as a Full Time Employee. A short time after I retired, I was working or subbing in 4 different bands. I did that for a few years not for the money, but because I enjoyed being busy with music. And it fed my ego and identity as a 'musician'.
But that's just me.
I plan on retiring and gigging like crazy. Maybe even pick up a student or four.
Pretty cool that you have internet up there.
I'm 73. Retired 9 years ago. I'm now in three bands and busier than I ever would have had time for, when I was working.
Before I retired, I was apprenhensive about getting bored with nothing to do. Now I wonder how I ever had time for a job.
I skipped thru 5 pages or so.....
I retired in 2022 after 39 years of turning wrenches, with the last 36 years at the same shop.
Do I miss it?? Yes, I miss my customers that had been with me for decades. I loved what I did and I have the aches and pains of being on concrete floors to show for it.
But I don't miss the corporate grind and all of the "ever since you" phone calls we'd get on a regular basis.
I retired in 2022 after 39 years of turning wrenches, with the last 36 years at the same shop.
Do I miss it?? Yes, I miss my customers that had been with me for decades. I loved what I did and I have the aches and pains of being on concrete floors to show for it.
But I don't miss the corporate grind and all of the "ever since you" phone calls we'd get on a regular basis.
There are a couple of generations where many of them may not get to retire. Maybe don't mention your "buyer's remorse," publicly.
Nobody says “I wish I had worked more” when they’re on their death bed.
Hey, that's my line!
. That's my go to when people bring this up.
Not really. I miss the personal connections, but 5 years into it, apparently those connections were rather superficial. As for the work itself, dealing with people’s life savings, it was more or less a lot of responsibility for things I can’t control. Like somebody in Washington has a gas bubble and it’s my fault. 34 years with a clean U-4 and I wasn’t about to sully it.
Yes and no, but not really.
I semi-retired at 40 in '96 and moved from the big city to a very small coastal community (97465). I didn't really want to retire because my job paid really well with really great full+ bennies and bonuses, even tho it was a dumb labor job slapping sticks in a lumber yard. But the wifey was tired of the big city and wanted to move to this place. Also was in a couple of productive active bands with really good friends. Plus I am now 8 hours from fam and friends - but have lived here for nearly 30 years so it's Ok. Have built a nice little niche over the years - always found interesting musical projects/bands to keep me active - still play in a couple of bands, one cover, one original and play once or twice a month - mostly 2 to 3 hour gigs playing for food, beer, a little cash, and some very healthy tip jars. But at heart I am still a true city rat --- nature is nice, tho.
If you like (or can reasonably tolerate) your job, then keep it. If you can afford to retire and want to retire, then retire. I like having unlimited time, not having to commute 3 hours a day on top of 8 working. I also like work, I like hard work. I joined a mason for a few years after moving here because he couldn't keep any help and I had the time and it paid really well. But construction crews and contractors and scheduling issues and all that aren't always the funnest places to be, so after 8 years left that and truly retired 2013.
Health insurance was a big issue. Private insurance Blue Cross was $1100/mo with $25k deductible. Started Medicare at 65, but delayed and went on SocSec at 66 and 4 months to get the "big bump" - whatever that is [not a money guy at all]. And we are both on SS now. Have an IRA I guess I'll need to start drawing from at 72.
Anyhow like I always say = "Work is ok, it's just so damn time consuming!"
peace
my backyard now
my old city suburb house north of Seattle. Bought in '79 for $18K, sold in '96 for $129K, now Zillow lists it at $535K
"Work is for people with nothing better to do" - Sum Gi [1956- ]
I semi-retired at 40 in '96 and moved from the big city to a very small coastal community (97465). I didn't really want to retire because my job paid really well with really great full+ bennies and bonuses, even tho it was a dumb labor job slapping sticks in a lumber yard. But the wifey was tired of the big city and wanted to move to this place. Also was in a couple of productive active bands with really good friends. Plus I am now 8 hours from fam and friends - but have lived here for nearly 30 years so it's Ok. Have built a nice little niche over the years - always found interesting musical projects/bands to keep me active - still play in a couple of bands, one cover, one original and play once or twice a month - mostly 2 to 3 hour gigs playing for food, beer, a little cash, and some very healthy tip jars. But at heart I am still a true city rat --- nature is nice, tho.
If you like (or can reasonably tolerate) your job, then keep it. If you can afford to retire and want to retire, then retire. I like having unlimited time, not having to commute 3 hours a day on top of 8 working. I also like work, I like hard work. I joined a mason for a few years after moving here because he couldn't keep any help and I had the time and it paid really well. But construction crews and contractors and scheduling issues and all that aren't always the funnest places to be, so after 8 years left that and truly retired 2013.
Health insurance was a big issue. Private insurance Blue Cross was $1100/mo with $25k deductible. Started Medicare at 65, but delayed and went on SocSec at 66 and 4 months to get the "big bump" - whatever that is [not a money guy at all]. And we are both on SS now. Have an IRA I guess I'll need to start drawing from at 72.
Anyhow like I always say = "Work is ok, it's just so damn time consuming!"
peace
my backyard now
my old city suburb house north of Seattle. Bought in '79 for $18K, sold in '96 for $129K, now Zillow lists it at $535K
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Retired at 66 in 2016. Sometimes the chosen vocation dictates when it's time to move on. Walking away was an unexpected epiphany: I got my life back! The extra time in a day gives me the freedom to explore and create photo/graphic projects as I want to do it. No restrictions or time limits. Retirement may be a challenge. Do something. It's your choice how you choose to spend your time. Make it count for you and whomever is important to you. Ohh and have FUN!
What makes work hard is the people and a lack of sleep. The people make everything more difficult, more drama driven that it actually is or needs to be. The lack of sleep is from commuting, fighting traffic and getting to work by 8:00am. If you are semi-retired, you don't have to please everyone driving to get the maximum amount of work. You only deal with the people you get along with. Eliminate the problem people, work from home and you will have a relaxing work experience.
I have told people that I would probably never be able to retire, I used to joke and tell friends, "When you retire come by Wal Mart and I will be greeting people"! But I think they have ended that job as well! 
"Ever since you changed the air filter, this thing's been pulling to the right!"
"Have you checked the air pressure in your tires?"
"No, why would I do that? You guys screwed it up, you're supposed to fix it!"
There, just for a little nostalgia...
I retired almost 14 years ago. No regrets, except for one. My pension from my old job is set. Never to be increased. What I'm getting now is exactly what I was getting on "day one".
Issue. Inflation. My set in stone pension has lost at least 35% or more buying power because of 2%, 3% etc inflation every year.
I never thought about this when I signed on the dotted line for retirement. I probably should have worked another 3 to 5 more years.
Oh well. The wife and I are getting by and eating soup beans for supper everyday ain't too bad! Wink, wink.
Issue. Inflation. My set in stone pension has lost at least 35% or more buying power because of 2%, 3% etc inflation every year.
I never thought about this when I signed on the dotted line for retirement. I probably should have worked another 3 to 5 more years.
Oh well. The wife and I are getting by and eating soup beans for supper everyday ain't too bad! Wink, wink.
Looks great but I gotta send you my pasta fagioli recipe.
