I can't believe how old some of these people in Congress are yet they still keep working. These people have some big bank accounts and would have medical benefits till they die. The reason I bring this up is over my life I have just seen to many die either at an early age or just about to reach retirement and die of something. I retired in January of 2013 at 62 mostly because I just couldn't stand the pain in my legs and feet from standing at my job all day. Since I've retired there has been a bunch of people that were ones that would talk about retiring, talk about where they had money invested in their 401k's and just couldn't wait to retire. One of these people is the one I just referred to another one dropped dead on his 62 birthday, and a lady I worked with just died last week at age 61. I started noticing this long ago and my advice to anyone is if you can retire early do it because you don't know if tomorrow will ever come.
Life's Too Short To Just Work It Away
HKalin
21 - 40 of 78 Posts
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I also enjoy what I do at work and the camaraderie. I just turned 61 and can't see quitting any time soon.
Rick
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Rick
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I'm kinda divided about when to retire. First, my will power to actually do things on my time off is pretty low. I need to change that or as others said, I'll just turn into a couch blob and fade away. Second, finances are in good order, but hobbies cost money. And some of my hobbies can cost a LOT OF MONEY. So, the choice I put in front of myself was -- retire early and take up a part time job to pay the bills and help fill in the time, or keep working until I can get maximum SS benefits and risk "losing" it all from some unforeseen health issue. (My dad got cancer in his late 50's and died on his 60'th birthday. Basically spent the last year of his life in a hospital room!)
I wouldn't necessarily put it all on greed -- I think it's more about the power. And as the saying goes, absolute power corrupts absolutely. I've always felt that there should be a time limit to public service - of any kind! Most of them have spent their entire lives doing nothing but politics and have never actually experienced the "real world" as it is.
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6,808 Posts
I retired at age 54 with 32+ yrs for the same Government Employer
because all the young kids at work would not listen to us old guys about how our Computer System worked with other Systems
as they wanted to rebuild it a/the New Way
At the same time my Boss wanted me to take a Pay Cut to do the same Job, likely so he could hire another young kid for the Rebuild
Learned later that the New Rebuilt System Crashed after it was implemented and cost Millions while/when it was down
and that the Ex Boss had to hire 2 new workers at more $$ to do the job I had been doing for less
and that my old Boss lost his job over the 2 blunders
So after working since I was 8 yrs old on my Dad,s Farm and other Jobs as I got older, usually 2 different jobs at a time/weekly
in April 2006 I decided it was time to take care of/work on my New Car/67 Chevelle
I had bought in 2005
and do the needed Jobs around the House as the Wife had 20+ years to go before she could Retire
I now have as much or more $$ in Retirement from my Work Pensions & Old Age Security Pension as I did when I worked
also do some Income Tax Filing Work every Spring for friends of my Son who helps me run my car at the Track
I enjoyed working with coworkers and even some Bosses over the years
but when it came down to me not being wanted for what I thought I was worth
it was time to cut the cord and start the rest of my relaxing part of life
because all the young kids at work would not listen to us old guys about how our Computer System worked with other Systems
as they wanted to rebuild it a/the New Way
At the same time my Boss wanted me to take a Pay Cut to do the same Job, likely so he could hire another young kid for the Rebuild
Learned later that the New Rebuilt System Crashed after it was implemented and cost Millions while/when it was down
and that the Ex Boss had to hire 2 new workers at more $$ to do the job I had been doing for less
and that my old Boss lost his job over the 2 blunders
So after working since I was 8 yrs old on my Dad,s Farm and other Jobs as I got older, usually 2 different jobs at a time/weekly
in April 2006 I decided it was time to take care of/work on my New Car/67 Chevelle
I had bought in 2005
and do the needed Jobs around the House as the Wife had 20+ years to go before she could Retire
I now have as much or more $$ in Retirement from my Work Pensions & Old Age Security Pension as I did when I worked
also do some Income Tax Filing Work every Spring for friends of my Son who helps me run my car at the Track
I enjoyed working with coworkers and even some Bosses over the years
but when it came down to me not being wanted for what I thought I was worth
it was time to cut the cord and start the rest of my relaxing part of life
My wife just retired from State Farm insurance 12/31/2019 at age 67. She loved her job and had so many friends all over the east coast that she used to converse with. She got tons of cards went out to dinners and even got a few gifts for their appreciation for what she did for them. She has already received emails from some of those people saying how much she is missed and it's just a few weeks. I wasn't sure that she would adjust to being retired but she has really surprised me. To me it's like a total different life that nobody should miss out on. But I do understand where you and others are coming from. I just hate seeing people get so close and their dreams are just taken away from them.
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5,679 Posts
I love this! Certainly can't recommend this for everyone but I watched my otherwise healthy dad load up on meds little by little, then passed at 81, otherwise healthy but was treated for just about every common ailment with meds, not lifestyle. My mom watched and criticized the doctor's push for the pills rather than just fixing the real problems. Now, she's doing the same thing and every year I watch her sink further into that rut. We've all heard and seen it before but it's more than an epidemic, it's the system that funds the medical and pharmaceutical system, and extends far beyond that. It gets little opposition, which is amazing in it's own way.
Me, I retired last year at 53 after 35 years in the HVAC trade. Great pension, 3 stages, the first putting me inline with what I was making @ 40 hrs a week. The second, I can take @ 59.5, the third I can take at 62. Then there's SS @ 65. All combined it'll pay 2X what I made while working. I'm happy just working on the hotrods, taking care of my health and helping out friends/family when I can.
Union Sheetmetal worker and I can remember at just about EVERY wage vote, our members wanted more money on the check and less in our retirement....most that voted were younger and had young families. They got what they wanted and our contributions were slowly shifted that direction. Now, these new members have to work 40 years for far less pension payout. Sad, but they got what they allways wanted.
Retirement is extremely personal, and I admire the guys that have made their career their passion and are fine working through retirement in some capacity. That's not for me, as I only like minor parts of my career.
I still have a hard time believing my checks are deposited every month with me not lifting a finger!!
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2,553 Posts
I'm right on the edge, turn 60 today. I have owned and operated a business for 39 years now. I do have concerns about selling the business and the actual transition to retirement. I will always be busy on the property, projects and helping others. Big moves for our life, just never done either one before. What's it like walking out the door on the first day of retirement and realizing "things will never be the same again?"
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2,996 Posts
You are going to love it! When Bonnie and I worked in the Chicago area, we wondered why people work to 65, and the first thing the do is move south. We decided to look for where we wanted to retire, go there now and be all set up when we retire. I was 40 when we moved to Arizona, bought our business, built our place up, and finally retired. You'll get up, walk out the back door and head to your shop instead of getting in the car and driving to work. It's wonderful!
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5,679 Posts
Ron, it was tough wiping the smile off my face! You have to know what you'll do in your daytime hours. If you don't have a grounding you'll be bored in a few weeks. I have a friend that retired 6 months after me. We apprenticed together. He has hobbies but nothing to tie him down the entire day. He wasted tons of money just spinning.
Myself, I have another retired friend that is an ex-machinist and has helped me learn another aspect of our hobby....engine building. That's been keeping my mind, hands, and finances occupied. That's the key.
Myself, I have another retired friend that is an ex-machinist and has helped me learn another aspect of our hobby....engine building. That's been keeping my mind, hands, and finances occupied. That's the key.
Happy Birthday and the answer to your question is "GREAT". :grin2::thumbsup:
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856 Posts
It is such an individual decision with no right or wrong answer. I worked 47 years in a hvac distributor. 40-50 hours a week standing on concrete floors take their toll on knees and feet. Always told myself when I started waking up and dreaded going to work it would be the time to pull the plug. And reached that point 11 months ago. So far GREAT. A huge transition in routine (but a good one), and reduced income (not as good a one) but we will survive.
I try and do at least one 'project' a day. It doesnt have to be much, just something I can put on a list and then cross it off. lol.
As others have noted, health is the key! Keep active!
I have made concious changes with body care. Eating habits.... less salt, less carbs, more excersizing. 25 pounds lighter with more to go and feel in the best shape I ever have.
I respect those still working with no plans to retire. More power to you, go as long as you can as long as health permits, and you are enjoying doing it. But, for me, retiring was one of the best decisions I ever made.
And to tie back into the original post...I too have lost way too many friends and way too many relatives WAY too early.
I try and do at least one 'project' a day. It doesnt have to be much, just something I can put on a list and then cross it off. lol.
As others have noted, health is the key! Keep active!
I have made concious changes with body care. Eating habits.... less salt, less carbs, more excersizing. 25 pounds lighter with more to go and feel in the best shape I ever have.
I respect those still working with no plans to retire. More power to you, go as long as you can as long as health permits, and you are enjoying doing it. But, for me, retiring was one of the best decisions I ever made.
And to tie back into the original post...I too have lost way too many friends and way too many relatives WAY too early.
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772 Posts
I’m on the other end of the spectrum . I am 30 years old and just started saving for retirement 2 years ago . Unfortunately my company at the time does not offer a match on the 401k . I put 10 percent away because after bills / life / mortgage/ some spare spending money etc.. that’s what I can afford . I live in a modest old farm house here in northern Maryland with a detached two car garage . I work my ass off . I made 80g this year with overtime and what I’ve learned is that no matter how much you make it seems like it’s never enough . I take time to do the things I want in life but still be humble . I need to figure out financially how to make the next 30 years work in my favor .. my dad is set to retire at 60 from Baltimore gas and electric ( EXELON) and I’m glad for him as most people don’t get out of work while they are still healthy ..
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1,461 Posts
Sir, If I may. That $ 4 k is not from the govt, it’s your money being rightfully returned.
In your/my case doubly so as we paid in both sides for many, many years.
Hey put whatever you can afford into an IRA, and let it ride. And thats even thru the ups and downs of the market. You have time on your side and thru the years it will build. Just play around with a compound interest calculator and see how much different amounts can grow, even at small interest rates.:thumbsup:
Have not sold my car but I can relate to the "drive" for the hobby going away. In some ways I think it stems from there is always "tomorrow" to work on the car. Tomorrows come and go and nothing gets done. Every now and then I decide on a project and get started, work it thru to finish and then the car sits till my next brainstorm for something to do comes up. I keep telling myself "get it running DON"T start doing something else that will keep it off the road".
Some other observations in no special order about posts in this thread....
Lost a lot of friends myself, lot of family members too. As we get older and time ticks away you start facing the fact that your number is more and more likely to come up. Three guys died with in a year of H.S. graduation, lost a few friends in 'Nam and the rate just keeps accelerating as time goes buy. My wife's last aunt died about 3 hours ago in Florida.
For the 30 Y/O who posted about investing. DO IT. My mom passed away in 1996 and left me some money...not a huge amount but not small either. We invested it and did not spend a dime. We changed the investment form from time to time but generally stayed with the prime "Grade A" stuff we originally invested in. It served us well when I effectively "got retired" in the tech layoffs that decimated that industry. A bit more on that later.
I can't sit around and watch the paint fade ....just cannot sit in front of the TV. I have pretty much rebuilt this house from end to end after we downsized maybe 11 years ago. Starting to run out of things to update / fix here after I four walled the kitchen last year and did EVERYTHING floor to ceiling and wall to wall. Included in that was moving a load bearing wall myself.
I didn't get to retire...I got retired in the post 2007 / 2008 crash, general meltdown. Bad business when you are in your mid 50's and the economy tanks. Never had the chance to choose when to pull the plug. The plug was pulled for me. I think you enter retirement with a different mindset when that happens as opposed to the situation where you get to decide when "enough is enough".
Biggest issue I see is that we gotta find things to do after retirement. Mydad retired due to health issues but he did not have many outside interests. He didn't last long. I spend 3 hours a week in the gym, do some volunteer work and keep pushing on the house when I can get my head wrapped around a project it needs. As my Doctor says: "Keep moving before you figure out you CANNOT GET MOVING". She is just the best and I think she has it pretty well covered with the quote I just gave ya.
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41,598 Posts
I see people keep saying that but we have already received quite a bit more than we ever paid in.
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6,401 Posts
Not regretting retiring at 59 one bit. Never be able to go back to a job now, I enjoy this too much.
Retired at 39, more than I ever could spend, had health and life by the shorthairs
Trusted the wrong people and wound up back in Ca in 99
51 now worked myself into an early grave, flat busted no benefits out there for guys like myself, not a good place to be.
Been working my dik off 7 days a week since the early 80s, this isnt not what I had planned. Hell, I was granted a retirement in Aug have yet to see one penny
Got a ck few days back for 3 yrs accumulated time..shoulda been substantial. I am going to frame this check for $ 0.19
Gotta get better somehow. Insurance companies are the devil I swear. Women a close 2nd, my downfall.
Trusted the wrong people and wound up back in Ca in 99
51 now worked myself into an early grave, flat busted no benefits out there for guys like myself, not a good place to be.
Been working my dik off 7 days a week since the early 80s, this isnt not what I had planned. Hell, I was granted a retirement in Aug have yet to see one penny
Got a ck few days back for 3 yrs accumulated time..shoulda been substantial. I am going to frame this check for $ 0.19
Gotta get better somehow. Insurance companies are the devil I swear. Women a close 2nd, my downfall.
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44 Posts
It sounds like what many of you are saying the same things for a happy retirement. Save every cent, retire early and stay off prescription drugs.
Any blanket statement like "Stay off prescription drugs" is trouble. Every drug has side effects, some drugs interact with others and cause much worse trouble than the problems they are intended to treat. That said there are some drugs you just CANNOT simply blow off. My Doc is very careful about throwing meds at every symptom that I whine to her about (just kidding about the whining) but some things like meds for HBP are NOT optional or discretionary on the part of the patient.
A stroke can turn you into a potted plant in a matter of seconds. If ya don't care about yourself consider your signif. other who would be impacted and stuck caring for the potted plant that might be left after a serious stroke. Big Pharma does deserve much of the criticism they get but on the flip side there are a lot more drug options for diseases / conditions (such as HBP) than there were even a few years ago. My dad was a HBP patient and he was a pharmacist, seems he tried everything his Doc could think of. I recall him saying that he was pretty sure the Doc was outta options for medications for him. That has changed since he was around.
I have HPB which is totally controlled by a drug that has only been on the market for maybe 10 years. It costs BIG PHARMA HUGE money to develope all these drugs. Back when I was a kid (around the time fire was discovered) I remember him telling me about the sucess rate in developing drugs that actually worked AND that didn't cause other serious conditions. The ratio of sucess to failure is miniscule when they are working on new compounds. I am not defending BIG PHARMA just saying that I think "staying off prescription durgs" as a general rule is a foolhardy approach. Life style changes AND cautious use of scripts when working with a Doctor who "gets it" as far as not throwing more and more meds at a given condition is the answer IMHO.
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18,738 Posts
and booze and smokes. To Ray's point... a little dab of lisinopril keeps me from having a stroke and losing what little brains I have left.
I tried diet/exersize before I succumbed. But its the only way to keep my BP mint, and its all I'mm on... hopefully for a long while! I dont like it, but the alternative is unacceptible. My best local bud best bud Louie has been retired for a few years now. He now owns my old 427, which is going in a '57 Ford 4 door drag car.
I dropped some extra stuff over to Louie's house and he told Bob and I how he stopped drinking and smoking once he retired. "because I have so many cool projects I want to get to, I don't want to run out of time."
Words of wisdom from a retired Ford tech. and that's WORD! The nostalgic drag car is only one of many projects Louie is tinkering with. Man, I finally found a "retirement role model".
I never saw myself retiring fully. My mom's been fully, early retired from GM for near 30 years (RPD) . Aint done her no good. Seriously. Dad died at 47 ( 1976), working at Delco. He never had a chance.
Doing what I do , I am constrained from being "greedy" as Mike says, but other than relinquishing the yoke of responsibility one day, I still need to "buy more freedom" if I'm going to enjoy a retirement with projects and motive. Cant just play golf everyday. it would kill me inside. And even trading one's own portfolio isn't enough.
Hey Hank, I **WAS** thinking of running for office!
seriously! As a Whig, not a damn ass or pachyderm. But wifey wont let me, and my "NCO french" would go over like a lead balloon. politics can't handle masters of reality anyhow, its all superficiality. I cant do superficial lies. Therefore we may be doomed. DUDE.... get two/three turns in office and double your SS payments with a gov't pension! No bullets, no watches, no patrols.
Honestly, I THINK ALL GOOD CITIZENS OUGHT CONSIDER THIS! The ruling elites are eating our lunch. Maybe time WE The Folks, take it back and share it amongst ourselves.
So there's my spin Hank... dont retire and sit on your laurels my fellow Americans, run for office, do some good... take the system back, and pad your SS payments with some pension credits. Take the ENTITLEMENT BACK FROM THE ENTITLED and let's run this Republic as all those white boys ( NOT ROYALS!) with guns dreamed of.
Retirement while trying to "wright" our Republic.
Yeah, wifey hasn't bought it yet either!
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