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[JoeGrilling]

Congratulations on your retirement.

I got retired at 62.  The startup company that I worked for got purchased and then the purchaser fell on hard times.  They closed our facility to package the entire company for sale.  The realization came after a year that it is rare that a tech company will hire someone in their 60's.  A friend of mine in his 50's was let go at the same time as me.  By luck, another friend had an opening in his company for someone just like my friend.  All of his interviewers gave thumbs up but corporate gave some push back probably because of his age.  He finally got the job after three months and was very happy.  He died within a year.  My uncle worked for a large automotive company.  Her retired at 65 but his company kept calling him back in out of retirement over the next several years.  He used to have a saying that you have to take time to smell the roses.  He passed away at 67 while still working.  Life is short, make the most of it.  Retire while you can still do stuff.

A guy that worked for me started packing money away money in his 401K as soon as he got his first job out of college.  He is 52.  He and his wife loved going to Las Vegas four times a year.  Last Fall, his wife asked him when he planned to retire.  He responded that he planned to work until he died.  His wife forced him to retire, put the house up for sale and they moved to Las Vegas.  He is as happy as can be.  This guy's wife had the right idea.

The key to retirement is keeping busy and learning new things.  I have an endless list of projects and hobbies to keep me entertained.  Everyday is a new adventure.

Good Luck!   

 

[SmokinHandyman]

 
I think I have about 6 more years to go.
What are you retiring from Bobitis?

[Bentley]

My dad used to say that the Bible says nothing about retirement.  An illness forced him to quit, or he might have been this person.

He responded that he planned to work until he died.

[glitchy]

Congrats! My oldest is graduating from high school in a couple weeks, so retirement isn't even on the radar yet 

[urnmor]

I had to go to the Merriam-Webster dictionary to find the definition of retirement.  One of the definition is the withdrawal from one's position or occupation or from active working life. Of course then I had to fine the definition of "working" which according to the same dictionary is "engaged in work especially for wages or a salary".  So one can still work but not necessarily receive a wage so I conclude one can retire from a paid position however that does not mean or at least IMO one can still have an active working life

So anyway having been first retired in 1992 and I continue to work and received a wage until I left that position in 2006 and now I know longer earn a wage but I am still actively engage in work.

My point is that there is so much more to life then earning a wage (I know we needed to do it at least at one point to survive and provide for our family).

 As one said in an earlier post you need a game plan and a purpose to get out of bed and yes at least IMO it should be fun.  So as you step into this new world I hope you have a plan and will continue to work at what you love to do be it cooking, traveling, working out, playing with the grand kids or working in the community.

 

[Kristin Meredith]

I did not realize there were so many retired folks on the site.  WARNING -- volunteer pitch coming.   I would like you all to consider being a puppy raiser for a service dog.  Guiding Eyes is in 13 states, but there are other guide dog organizations all over the US and organizations that raise dogs for disabled vets, etc. GEB places approximately 160 dogs a year but has a current wait list of over 400 folks, so the need is great and the service you would do is invaluable.  And you get lots of puppy kisses and adorable memories!!!!

[MN-Smoker]

Congratulations Bob.

Also, congratulations to all of the others in retirement.
I'm mid-late 40's but hope to retire by 55, maybe a couple years sooner if I'm optimistic.

We'll see.

[Bar-B-Lew]

I've been working with several financial advisors over the last 3-4 months after taking a Retirement and Estate Planning 6 hour course at a local college.  The biggest thing I learned was that unless you have a pension that you can get early and have a lot of cash retiring early, like I desire to, is a big risk if you are relying on investments you may have.  For those that are desiring to retire early (or anyone planning for retirement for that matter), I would suggest meeting with a financial advisor if you have not already.  You will need to prepare your annual income and spending budgets, provide your current investments and future income streams (social security, pension, annuity, etc.) and a few other things.  For as much money as I think I have, it was not going to last as long as I need it to last which would be 40 years if I planned to retire at 55 and have a life expectancy to 85-95 which is what most advisors are recommending.

Additionally, now that I have been doing a lot of online research, I get about 5 articles a day that pop up in my Google newsfeed related to investing, retirement, estate planning, etc.  It helps keep me updated, gives me some new ideas, or helps to confirm my plan of action.

Lastly, there are big pushes being made to invest in Long Term Care.  I know I should probably do it, but I am going to opt to not buy any insurance.  It is something we should all be paying attention to and planning for if possible.  Outside of a mortgage, health insurance and long term care seem to be the biggest expenses, have the forecasted highest inflation %'s, and the biggest unknowns both in cost and need.

[urnmor]

Out of all of the retirement seminars I attended one thing stuck in my mind.  Don't lend money to your children just give it to them as they won't pay it back.  I found this to be true.  I did lend some money expecting to have it paid back, as that was the agreement, in a certain period of time.  They did give it back however only after I asked for it.  Now I just donate the money to them. 

[Bar-B-Lew]

Out of all of the retirement seminars I attended one thing stuck in my mind.  Don't lend money to your children just give it to them as they won't pay it back.  I found this to be true.  I did lend some money expecting to have it paid back, as that was the agreement, in a certain period of time.  They did give it back however only after I asked for it.  Now I just donate the money to them.

This came up in one of my discussions.  If you don't plan for this, it could impact your own retirement income.

[Bar-B-Lew]

Great point.  I don't see that being a problem for me since I don't have a pension so most of my retirement will be funded by myself which looks like it will be higher than RMD's.

[Canadian John]

 Congratulations! You should love it.... I have been retired for over 20 years @ age 54.. Been, busy, busy, busy.. Enjoy your retirement my friend.

[JoeGrilling]

My dad used to say that the Bible says nothing about retirement.  An illness forced him to quit, or he might have been this person.

He responded that he planned to work until he died.

Sounds like my grandfather.  He retired at 77 when a car hit him crossing a street while going to work.  He wasn't hurt too bad but both of his daughters forced him to retire.  He lived well into his 90's. 

[Mudflap]

  Congrats 

I hope to retire in less than 10 years. Will be 53 in November.

My dad is also one that keeps on working. He will turn 80 this November and is still working. He is a independent quality control log scaler and has contracts with most timber company's in Oregon. I keep asking when will he be done. He says why. He works when he wants and still golfs, fish and hunts when he wants. He can go to a log yard and scale logs from several timber companies (sometimes 3-4) in a few hrs and each company will pay him a 8 hrs for the same day. Some times he will then go play the local golf course before driving home. He dose not need the $$$ but says it keeps him alive.


Congratulations again

Mudflap

[Bobitis]

I'd no idea where this post would go, but it's been fabulous.

There's been many posts from members that have so much to add. I'm humbled by the responses.

Thank you all.