Think of retiring.

[Mike JV]

Good evening. Well, here I am at full retirement age of 66. (How'd that happen?!?!). I've been giving retirement a lot of thought lately and I'm 90% sure I'm going to go for it by fall of this year. Worked my tail off for years and it sure would be nice having the time to get some much needed things done around my house. Both decks need some fixing, kitchen needs a re haul from top to bottom and there's a fair amount of stuff to get rid of.

Financially it would be close, but if I found myself a little part time job somewhere I'm pretty confident I'll be okay. House is paid for, utilities and taxes are very reasonable, I'm single, don't date and am very frugal. Pretty much a homebody who plays either guitar or bass at church about once every 2 to 3 weeks.

I'll admit there's a little apprehension about it. Two words I hate creep in from time to time. "What if?" I like my job and the people I work with, but I am getting tired of the routine and of putting things off at home because of the lack of time and I'm not getting any younger. Knees are starting to hurt as well.

To those here who are retired, were you apprehensive at first about it? Do you like being retired? Keeping yourself occupied? Any regrets about retiring? Guess I'm looking for a little advice from some of you good folks.

Thanks for your time.

 

[woodyng2]

I’m not there yet,but hope to be after the first of next year.
I don’t have a master plan, i just know i am ready to do something else. (Even if it’s nothing).
Hoping i may spend more time playing music with more people. And maybe travel more.
My Dad retired when he was 55, and really seemed to enjoy that. Best of luck!

 

[Stumbo]

Good evening. Well, here I am at full retirement age of 66. (How'd that happen?!?!). I've been giving retirement a lot of thought lately and I'm 90% sure I'm going to go for it by fall of this year. Worked my tail off for years and it sure would be nice having the time to get some much needed things done around my house. Both decks need some fixing, kitchen needs a re haul from top to bottom and there's a fair amount of stuff to get rid of.

Financially it would be close, but if I found myself a little part time job somewhere I'm pretty confident I'll be okay. House is paid for, utilities and taxes are very reasonable, I'm single, don't date and am very frugal. Pretty much a homebody who plays either guitar or bass at church about once every 2 to 3 weeks.

I'll admit there's a little apprehension about it. Two words I hate creep in from time to time. "What if?" I like my job and the people I work with, but I am getting tired of the routine and of putting things off at home because of the lack of time and I'm not getting any younger. Knees are starting to hurt as well.

To those here who are retired, were you apprehensive at first about it? Do you like being retired? Keeping yourself occupied? Any regrets about retiring? Guess I'm looking for a little advice from some of you good folks.

Thanks for your time.

I suggest you join: Get off my LAWN! "Grumpy Old Farts"
Bunch of old(er) TBers comparing notes as we make our way to the Big Gig in the Sky.

 

[GwenOnBass]

There are so many things to do in a day in my post-retirement I need another day or five to complete them. YMMV.

 

[SoulReflection]

Good evening. Well, here I am at full retirement age of 66. (How'd that happen?!?!). I've been giving retirement a lot of thought lately and I'm 90% sure I'm going to go for it by fall of this year. Worked my tail off for years and it sure would be nice having the time to get some much needed things done around my house. Both decks need some fixing, kitchen needs a re haul from top to bottom and there's a fair amount of stuff to get rid of.

Financially it would be close, but if I found myself a little part time job somewhere I'm pretty confident I'll be okay. House is paid for, utilities and taxes are very reasonable, I'm single, don't date and am very frugal. Pretty much a homebody who plays either guitar or bass at church about once every 2 to 3 weeks.

I'll admit there's a little apprehension about it. Two words I hate creep in from time to time. "What if?" I like my job and the people I work with, but I am getting tired of the routine and of putting things off at home because of the lack of time and I'm not getting any younger. Knees are starting to hurt as well.

To those here who are retired, were you apprehensive at first about it? Do you like being retired? Keeping yourself occupied? Any regrets about retiring? Guess I'm looking for a little advice from some of you good folks.

Thanks for your time.

I was apprehensive and kept putting it off. That was not a good thing for me. I lost patience with the people I was working with (customers and suppliers) and finally decided I had to get out. Fortunately, for me, I was able to ease myself out. Having enough income (pensions, etc.) is important but, so is knowing that as one gets older, being in a stressful situation has it's effects on your health and well being.

That being said, there is an advantage to being in charge of your future...you will find things to occupy your time but, most importantly, do things that satisfy you more. Good luck .

 

[slobake]

Been retired for about a year now. My job was great at one time but that had really gone south, so no second thoughts on my part. I do miss some of my co-workers sometimes.
For me being retired hasn't been like and endless vacation and I am still adjusting. Good you have things to do to your house. I have working around the house, doing some volunteer work, spending a lot of time with Mrs. slo and my grandson.
One thing I have noticed is that I still feel guilty if I just relax and enjoy myself. If I spend a couple of hours just reading for pleasure I start feeling antsy and thinking about how I should be doing something productive. Getting better at that. The Mrs. and I have set aside one day a week to do whatever we want just for fun. If we don't set that time aside it won't happen. Find myself struggling to keep that day open but I guard it. Some folks think I am just sitting around eating bon boys and have all the time in to world to do whatever it is they want me to do. T'aint so.
I don't regret retiring, it has been and adventure. Done some traveling and looking forward to doing more. We can pretty much travel whenever we want. Don't need to worry about limited vacation Time. That has been great.
Still things I want to get to. House projects, bass projects and fiction to write.

 

[Sbassman Scratch]

There are so many things to do in a day in my post-retirement I need another day or five to complete them. YMMV.

^^^ This.
I suspect you'll hear it a lot. If you're healthy and with just a modicum of financial security, get out there!
I tell people I had a job I liked doing, now I like not doing it.

Took up cycling, yoga, became a gym rat, re-engaged some reading interests, volunteer some time with an environmental group and a bit of leg work for a local early music group.

Don't play out any more but a day seldom passes that I don't spend an hour or so on the bass for my own pleasure. (That occasional rumbling you hear is Bach spinning in his grave. Poor guy.)

 

[shadowtippy]

I've been retired for two and a half years. I help a friend with his antique store a couple of days a week and also sell a lot of things there that I find. I enjoy being retired. I have enough to keep me occupied and active without having to face a regular job and its headaches.

 

[Mike JV]

Hmmm, you're all talking me into it! Sounds like all are making the most of it with no regrets. I think part of it has to do with my dad passing away almost 3 years ago. It was another indication of just how fast it all goes by. Oh believe me, I wouldn't be bored at all. As mentioned, lots of things to do and it would be great to start. The thought of retiring in the fall seems to hold a real appeal to me. There'a local park about 1 1/2 miles down from me and the thought of going there a few times a week to walk the trails and enjoying the colors sounds very therapeutic. I'm one of those kinds of people who can be raking leaves on one of those grey sky fall days with a mug of coffee and think "what more do you need!" Simple things.

 

[G-Dog]

Was very tempted to take very early retirement in my 50's several times, due to various reasons. But, when I saw most of my colleagues my age who did retire come back as contractors, then I was glad I stayed.

Early retirement came for me at 62. And time has jumped to warp speed since then!! I still don't have enough time to do all the things I want to do. But I have to do SO many fewer of the things I don't want to do. And Mrs. Dog and I can pick up and go anywhere we wanna go any time we wanna go! Life is good in these golden years.

Hopefully, your financial situation won't be as close as you think. Financial consultants sometimes paint a relatively gloomy picture to be conservative, so you usually do better than their worst case scenarios and think better of them. But, yes, it's scary taking the leap!

Good luck! And best wishes for an enjoyable retirement.

 

[drummer5359]

I was the workaholic's workaholic, absolutely married to my job. Everyone, me included, figured the only way leave my job was in a body bag. It almost happened.

After thirty years of working crazy hours and putting every thing that I had into my work, I had a major stroke. It took a while to get back to work, and it was never the same. My wife talked me into retiring at age fifty and living on investments.

That was nine years ago. It took me a while to get used to not going 100 miles per hour twenty hours a day. Eventually I threw myself into animal rescue and expanded my gigging by a good bit. I could not be happier, I have the BEST life.

 

[Ronzo]

I retired about 2 1/2 years ago. I’ve had a couple of “parallel careers” - telecommunications engineering, product management, wedding/event photography, a gigging band - and it was the right time for me to stop. I’m an elder and choir director in my Church, and I have a wonderful lady in my life who makes me incredibly happy. I’d rather be lucky than good, and I’m very lucky and very blessed.

When people ask me what I’m doing since I retired, my reply is, “Absolutely nothing. And it’s everything I ever dreamed it would be.”

I finally am enjoying life, rather than slogging through it. I pray that I’m given the time to see my kids and grandkids more often, and that I can continue to be healthy enough to continue enjoying life and giving back.

If you have the opportunity to go for it, take the shot. I was worried about the finances, but I’m (barely) able to stay afloat. Hope it stays that way.

 

[mikeoso]

First, can you afford retirement? The district where I taught had an early buy-out program. I retired 13 years ago at age 56, with 80% of my state pension, and medical for me and my wife paid for 5 years. We had zero debt, and plan to stay in our current home until we die. Started collecting Social Security at 62, Medicare kicked in at 65. We dont care to travel and dont spend much money. So, the money is more than adequate. Dont retire if your security requires a new job!

NOTE..Pay special attention to insurance. Even the healthiest strongest people begin to have problems as they age. After a lifetime of being the proverbial bullmoose, I suddenly found myself getting a triple bypass two years ago. The total billing came in at about $350,000. My out of pocket was a touch over $3000.

Second, do you want out? Are you still interested in and enjoying your job, or are you ready to leave it? While I still loved teaching the students, dealing with politicians, parents, and administrators had become annoying. Dont retire if you'll miss the job a lot!

Third, do you have things to do? Hobbies, avocations, plans? Many retirees suffer from depression because they feel as if they no longer are relevant. I work 60 hours a week running my parrot rescue, so I still have usefulness. Dont retire if you'll be bored.

Last, do you have people? Many retirees find that without the job, they feel isolated. Do you have friends, clubs, other communities to socialize with? I have the crew of volunteers at the rescue, my musical groups, and family. Dont retire if you'll be lonely.

 

[ZonieBass]

Since I retired (2015) I don't know how I ever found time to work.

 

[Ostie]

When my financial guy showed me that i'd make more money retired than working, I was all in. May 17 is my last day.

 

[Thornton Davis]

I retired a year ago at 65, got board after 6 months and went back to work for much better company then my previous employer. I'm much happier working than not.

TD

 

[Mike JV]

Lots of good feedback and stories here. Off hand it sounds like all are managing just fine and it sounds like all are really enjoying themselves. Like Ronzo said, "finally enjoying life." Good for you, sir.

Some good questions were asked too from Mikeoso. Insurance. Been on Medicare for a year now and all in all I'm pretty healthy. Family history is good but I know in the back of my mind that things can go wrong. I've had a lot of things go wrong in other aspects, but my health is good. Hope it stays that way.

Do I want out? Yes. I do like my job and the people I work with. But I'm getting very tired of getting up at 4 AM and driving 45 miles each way to work with close to an hour drive time each way. But there's a more important reason why I want out. My vision. As with a lot of people, I've got a ton of whats called floaters. But about a month ago these 2, huge blobs developed in my right eye that makes driving in certain conditions very dicey due to these blobs getting in the way of my vision. Bottom line, it's getting to the point of where I don't feel totally safe dealing with all the other nut cases on the freeways. When it rains it's very difficult seeing. Not impossible, but difficult. So for my and others safety I'd like to get off the road as much as possible.

Hobbies. Music is my main passion. Been playing bass since I was 17 and for about 10 years now I've been expanding my guitar skills. I was laid off for 14 months staring in early 2009 and during that time I wrote and recorded about 20 songs at home. Had a blast doing it too. Loved every minute of it. Not saying what I did was great, but I was starting to learn a new skill. Other than that I have no hobbies per say. But during that time I bought a math workbook that started with the bare basics through algebra. To my surprise I would sit for 2 to 3 hours at a time working on math problems and I rather enjoyed it! (I know, I'm a bore!).

People. I play either guitar of bass at church, but mainly guitar these days and on an average it's about once every 2 or 3 weeks. I'm also in a small group at church and we meet every other week for dinner and bible discussion. I rarely get to see my son and grand kids due to time and distance. Same with my brothers. Been divorced and alone (but not lonely....really) since 1993 and I have never had the desire to start over again, so I don't date. I'm pretty much a homebody but I'm very content with that. I like seeing other people, but it's nothing I go out of my way for. But if I retired I wouldn't mind something like a yoga class and maybe some guitar lessons.

Could I afford it? In a word yes, but I'd be living the same low key, modest life style that I live now and that's okay with me. (I don't even have cable!!! Been 4 years now and I don't miss it!). But there is a chance I could work for the church I serve by figuring out the songs and providing the charts. I'm the one guy there who says "you got a wrong chord there!" On a sheer technical level I've heard 15 year olds who can blow my doors off. But I do have a very good ear and when on guitar I'm the only one who figures out the details of things. I also throw in a lot of original elements which they love. So I know I would be good at that.

There's also a strong chance that I could do my present job at home during the busy season, which is right now. I've touched on the subject with them and it's something that could actually happen because it's all done on a computer. So there are some possibilities out there for me to generate some part time income from home.

Ostie....congrat's on your upcoming retirement!!!!

 

[woodyng2]

I retired a year ago at 65, got board after 6 months and went back to work for much better company then my previous employer. I'm much happier working than not.

TD

I had a 6 month “temporary retirement” about 5 years ago,and was rehired.
Outside of the financial concern,I didn’t miss my work at all. Am looking forward to my real retirement next year.

 

[pappabass]

1st, I am not there yet, few more years to go.
About you, 1. congrats on house being paid for. Mine is not, not even close. Trusting God for that one. 2. Current job, if you enjoy it keep working. Ask if you can work part time there. Hire someone to do needed projects. 3. Bored? Part time job will be good. Me, when I take more than 2 vacation days at home I get restless and depressed.

 

[Gaolee]

I'm not near retirement, but at least one of my college classmates and several of my friends and colleagues are retired or retiring. Not a single one of them seems to have any trouble filling up days. I'm sure I won't have any problem staying busy when I finally retire, whenever that happens. My wife may want me to go back to work and quit making noise and commotion around the house if I ever retire.