Retirement - I have no experience

[Mr Bob]

Hi Randy,
I retired at age 58 due to stomach problems. I can truthfully say that I have not had one day of boredom. When I first retired, I planned my week as to what I would be doing. Then it was mostly cutting my grass and my neighbors grass. Ride my motorcycle, help the neighbors with their projects ect. Then as I got older, I would just plan day by day. Now at age 80 it is pretty much helping the wife and She is helping me. We are not in good health now. By the way, my stomach problems cleared up in about a year. Must have been stress from my work place. My advise to you is to try to enjoy life as much as possible, don't just sit down in a rocking chair. Have a great day.
Bob

[mortten]

My Dad retired at 56 and always told me he didn't know how anything got done when he was working because he was so busy in retirement. I retired 4 years ago at 55 and I now know what he was talking about. I still get up early and reserve the morning(unless it snowed) for reading the paper and doing the various puzzles to keep the mind sharp then I'm off to do whatever needs doing. Having a 4 year old grandson helps.

[PaulS]

I have been retired since age 55. My career was military working full time at an Air National Guard Station. Many weekends were spent working also. I vowed that when I retired I was going to make up for all the lost hunting. Now at age 75 I have done just that. I also heat with wood and that keeps me busy when the old back lets me. In the winter and not hunting I keep busy with snow removal for mine and most of the neighbors. I also enjoy some woodworking and try to work that in. As I have said many times retirement is all Saturdays except Sunday. A part time job or doing volunteer work can ease the way into full retirement. Now excuse me it is my nap time.

[Sam Mac]

Let me add something else into the mix. If you are financially able to retire now then it may be time to retire, do you want to continue to work just to give it to the government and your kids? I will leave plenty to my daughter and I have paid way more than my fair share to the government, I figure I will be dead a long time and I plan on enjoying the time I have left.

[Alvy]

My dad retired at 55 and it seems they're busier than they ever have been 15 years later. . As Sam says if you played your cards right and are financially able, good to do it. My dad did well for himself and planned his whole life for it. 7 days a week in the family business and almost never a day off for many many years he and my mom deserved it. Unfortunately my mom came down with cancer shorty after and we almost lost her. That turned a light on and my dad ended up realizing how short life was and then it was on. They have accomplished most things on a "bucket list" and then some. It's nice to see the "new him" that has enjoyed life and time with his grandkids and doing things like traveling the country and it's great to spend some quality time with them being snowbirds as I never really did growing up. You paid your dues now time to have some fun!

[Cub Cadet 123]

I'm not retired yet, but I think that it would be a lot of fun to do volunteer work and see how I might make a difference in other peoples' lives. If you are financially set, I think it would be a lot of fun to try to create a company/small business to give people who are without work (AND WANT TO WORK) jobs and also make them part owners into the company. Then, kind of bow out and let them run their own business. Others have also said to help out the elderly or needy who cannot afford to pay you back with money, but just a simple Thank You. That, to me, sounds like a life filled with meaning and purpose.

Your question is a lot like, "What is the meaning of life?"........best answered by the one who asks the question! Where you place your time, so to do you place your heart. Whenever I get stressed about what direction to take, I get lost........so, my advice is for you to "Get lost." As odd as that might sound, it isn't such a horrible thing. Whenever I "get lost", I am forced to "find out where I am at" or in other words, "find the purpose for what direction you should take." This is a great time for you to do things that you have always wanted to do and find the purpose in doing what you always wanted to do, but maybe never had the time to do and not have to chase the dollar to do it!!

You like cubs and people need their lawns mowed, snow removed, gardens tilled, etc. so create a business that is 100% charitable where free will donations for those services are given to ....... The Cancer Society, ASPCA, The Heart Foundation, a local animal shelter, create a scholarship, etc.

When we expire, our character will be our greatest legacy that we leave behind......or at least that is the way I feel. Whatever you choose to do, I hope it keeps you active enough to provide exercise, relaxing enough to be enjoyable, meaningful enough to be remembered by others, and satisfying enough to keep you smiling!! Congratulations upon reaching your retirement......we should all be so lucky to find ourselves facing the same question you are at this time!

Cub Cadet 123

[CSXengr]

Well I can wade right in on this discussion, since I worked for the RR 43 yrs and retired at 60. Let me assure you that you WILL NOT be bored. I really do not know how I had time to work. Either that or I had no life but working. Since retiring I help out at my church more, I have started gardening again. The only thing I did catch since retiring is yellow fever! I had a 128 parked near my back fence for 15 yrs. I had always wanted to get it to running but never had time, not so since I retired. I have the fever so bad I went out and bought 15 more cubs! I have been a long time duck hunter and member of Ducks Unlimited so I started volunteering for this organization. And now I am the North Carolina Ducks Unlimited State Chairman. But I know all this may or may not be your cup of tea so what I am saying is you can make retirement anything you want. It is your life now, not the company's enjoy it.

Gary Payne
NCDU State Chairman

[Bamafan]

As an ole retired guy I will say a few things. If you enjoy what you are doing it's not a job. There was never a time in my working career I didn't want to go to work. I was a state law enforcement officer for 34 years and when I got to looking at what I was being paid for putting it on the line, and what I could get for not doing it anymore, I retired.
Now I didn't quit working I was still kinda young at 55 years old. So I went to driving school got my CDL and became a OTR truck driver. I did the OTR for about a year and it got really tough being away from home. I bought me a big rig and leased on to a company and drove mostly local until I turned 63 years old. I came down with cancer in 2012 and with the treatments and the way my health was then, I realized my working days was over. By the grace of GOD my cancer is in remission. But I still wish I could hold a regular job, but I know I cant, so I piddle to keep busy. I started buying these little tractors and work on them, I wood work and I love to garden.
I guess what i'm trying to say, don't retire and sit down, cause you want last long. If you want to work then work as long as you want to or as long as your health will let you. Retirement is different to everyone, and only that person can decide.

[spudder]

I think I will offer my 2 cent's worth. Yesterday I turned 68 and am retired after a layoff due to the employer selling his welding shop. I am enjoying tinkering in my shop with all my Cub projects. But, I could sure use a supplemental income.
Last evening, I received a call from a friend in Missouri. His son Jack, age 54, died suddenly yesterday morning. Jack was a very close friend who I met through our mutual love of old Cub Cadets. Jack, RIP
PLEASE, do what you want now, there is no guarantee for tomorrow.

[rwairforce]

Thank you all for your response.
I certainly appreciate you sharing your thoughts and experiences with me. As some of you have said, I really do enjoy my work, it's not really a job, it's a position. There is a big difference believe me. After 45 years I understand the differences clearly.
Congratulation to those of you that have actually retired fairly early and have enjoyed 20 or more years of, life after job. In August I'll be 65 and I'll ponder it more and maybe reduce my number of days at the office. At 66, my full retirement age, I might make another change but at least I'll get my full Soc Sec benefit without penalty because I'm still working.
I agree that it's an individual decision, most things are but I do appreciate some experienced insights from those that have already walked the path.

Thank you all,
Randy